Adviser’s Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this opinion article belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views of The Colt Chronicle Staff, Kinnelon High School, or its students and staff members.
Many social media stars have either attempted or successfully gotten into the music industry, but are they even good? The rise of musicians who originally started on social media platforms, such as TikTok, has continued to grow. Through these new artists, it seems as if it is easier for influencers to begin making music if they have a big enough platform
Most influencers who have become musicians over the years have launched their careers on TikTok. It’s easier for these influencers who already have a big platform to get their fan base to start listening to their music. They are also able to use their platform to promote their music more efficiently, so it can reach more people. However, some artists might just be better off sticking to music rather than posting on social media. Sophomore Isabella Vuturo expressed, “Nessa Barrett is much more successful as a musician rather than just another TikToker, which makes her stand out a lot more.”
In 2020, there was a popular TikTok group called The Hype House. One of their members was Nessa Barrett, and many people would know her as a TikToker from a few years ago. However, she now spends more time pursuing her music career, and she has been on tour for the past year. Additionally, I actually enjoy her music, and I have even attended one of her concerts. The show was pretty enjoyable, and I would recommend giving her music a listen, especially her most recent album called “AFTERCARE.”
There are also other influencers, like Nessa Barrett, who are now musicians. People like Alex Warren, Addison Rae, Madison Beer, and many others have started their platforms on TikTok. All of them now pursue music as their main career instead of uploading videos as often before. However, are these artists even worth listening to? Sophomore Aden Reckler answered, “Addison Rae’s transition into being a pop star is better than Alex Warren’s because Alex’s music is generic and doesn’t really fit his brand, while Addison Rae picked a niche genre, got Charli XCX as her mentor, and made music that fits her brand well.”
Recently, the Recording Academy released the Grammy nominees for the annual Grammys that will be held on Feb. 1, 2026. Two artists who started on TikTok have been nominated under the “Best New Artist” category. Freshman Anica Maksimov explained, “I’ve noticed that a lot of influencers are getting noticed more for their music, and I’m excited to see artists like Addison Rae get nominated for a Grammy.”
Some influencers have attempted to join the music industry but have failed after releasing one or two songs. However, not all of these influencers who attempt to make music are horrible singers; some are actually really good. Most people are quick to judge when these influencers try to make music just because they didn’t originally start on TikTok. Ultimately, despite what people might say about these new artists, many of them have created genuinely impressive music that’s worth a listen.
To listen to some songs from these artists, click here
