In a move set to shake up the music industry, TikTok and Billboard have announced a partnership to introduce an official TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart. The weekly chart will track the hottest songs on TikTok based on views, user engagement, and the number of videos created using each song.
Updated every Thursday, the chart will be available on both the TikTok app and the Billboard website. For now, the chart will focus solely on trending songs in the U.S. Currently, Sexyy Red’s "SkeeYee," Doja Cat’s "Paint the Town Red," and Taylor Swift’s "August" lead the inaugural chart.
This partnership highlights TikTok's formidable impact on the music scene, as it has been instrumental in propelling many emerging artists to stardom. Artists like Lil Nas X, Tai Verdes, and Benee owe some of their success to viral moments on TikTok.
Billboard is no stranger to tracking songs from social media platforms. They also monitor the Hot Trending Songs chart based on data from X, formerly known as Twitter. Currently, Olivia Rodrigo dominates that chart with her new songs, “The Grudge,” “Pretty Isn’t Pretty,” and “Logical.”
"The chart gives a clear picture of the music that is being listened to on TikTok and starting to trend on other platforms," said Ole Obermann, Global Head of Music Business Development at TikTok. The new chart adds another layer of visibility and validation for artists and could influence music trends more broadly.
Earlier this month, TikTok also launched a virtual talent show on TikTok Live, aimed at discovering and rewarding aspiring artists globally, adding another avenue for musicians to gain visibility and accolades.
The TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart is a significant development, signaling the increasing convergence of social media and the music industry. It serves as an authentic gauge of what songs are genuinely capturing attention and could likely dictate future hits in the music world.
