It is time to reveal the most popular tracks and artists that soundtracked the longest days of 2024, as the seasons turn from Brat Summer and we enter Brat Autumn.
These past few months have been an iconic hotbed for music. Country blockbuster tracks and eighties dancing, opening ceremony performances and rising female stars across K-pop, hip-hop, afrobeats, and more: the summer’s biggest music moments have been popping off on TikTok.
There’s been something for everyone’s summer playlist this year. From pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter’s energizing and fresh bangers Espresso and Please Please Please to rap powerhouse Megan Thee Stallion’s collaborations with GloRilla and Yuki Chiba. Global R&B artist Tinashe, who also hit #1 in the UK, had fans on both sides of the pond trying to match her freak with her song Nasty, and rising star Lay Bankz blew up on TikTok with her hip-hop dance track Tell Ur Girlfriend. This summer fans embraced a truly diverse mix of talent and sounds on TikTok.
We’re proud to continue helping emerging artists all over the world to break through, like newcomer Jordan Adetunji with the hit KEHLANI, as well as providing a platform for the world’s biggest artists to connect with fans.
Our Songs of the Summer results once again prove how TikTok has helped to export home-grown tracks and artists to the global stage. Last year, Jain’s Makeba took the crown as TikTok’s Song of the Summer in the US, while Mae Stephens, who swapped supermarket shifts for TikTok stardom, topped the global Songs of the Summer list with her smash hit If We Ever Broke Up.
Tommy Richman comes in at the top spot with his track MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS). After teasing snippets of the song on TikTok, the track became hugely popular and debuted in April at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Critics acclaimed the song for Richman’s vocals and its unique sound, as creators started a new dance trend that took over FYPs across the globe, embracing hilarious transitions between different looks and personalities.
Tommy Richman said, “I’m very blessed about what has transpired this year. I made this song with all of my friends and I’m just so excited that our flowers were given from this creation. It took on a life of its own that I could have never imagined. I’m thankful for everyone that’s listening.”
The one and only Tinashe took #2 on both the US and global list. Since becoming an independent artist, Tinashe has gone from strength to strength, and the TikTok community has rallied behind her in support. Nasty became one of this summer’s anthems, with TikTok creators trying to match Tinashe’s “freak”, leading to over 10 million video creations on platform and some impressive moves.
Tinashe
“Thank you to all my amazing fans who made ‘Nasty’ the #1 Song of the Summer in the UK and #2 globally! It’s been so fun and incredible to watch all the videos you have been making on TikTok. I love them all! I’m super grateful for your continued support and hope you all enjoy making more content to the rest of my album Quantum Baby.”
Sabrina Carpenter, this year’s princess of pop, made it into the list at #6 with Please Please Please. With musical influences of disco-pop and country, the song’s captivating chorus has taken over our For You feeds . Sabrina had creators sharing their best date ideas and celebrating the return of summer, with some of our favorite Olympians even jumping in on the trend.
Our #8 most popular track in the US is Wanna Be (with Megan Thee Stallion) by GloRilla feat. Megan Thee Stallion. Peaking at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, this collab combined the powers of two TikTok superstars to earn GloRilla one of her biggest hits to date. The song inspired fans to show off some of their favorite hairstyles and their best “Megan knees.” The huge success of the track led to the release of a remix featuring Cardi B!
Top songs by video creations globally
Gata Only became the biggest Latin track in the world this year and topped TikTok’s global Songs of the Summer list. Chilean artists FloyyMenor and Cris MJ teamed up for the hit, sparking over 15 million creations on TikTok. The reggaeton banger is all about going after the girl that you’ve got feelings for, as Gata Only marks the first time a Chilean artist has entered the Billboard Hot Latin Songs since 1999. Creators have used the sound to show off their summer fits and holiday snaps.
FloyyMenor
“I’m very happy with everything that has been achieved with ‘GATA ONLY’. I knew from the beginning that this song was a global hit and its success fills me with pride. I’m grateful to the TikTok community for their role in helping the song reach a global audience.”
Female artists made waves in the Global Songs of the Summer 2024, including the one and only Billie Eilish’s BIRDS OF A FEATHER coming in at #4. Over dreamy guitars and an addictive beat, creators fell in love with the track, using it to soundtrack videos of friends dancing abroad as well as heart-warming proposals.
Our #8 most popular global track this summer goes to rising star Lay Bankz. The 20-year-old American rapper’s hit Tell Ur Girlfriend features the catchy phrase ’cause i don’t wanna live a lie lie lie’, taking her song viral across the world. Described as a cross between Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion, Lay has a bright future ahead and this track has been stuck in everyone’s head this summer.
Ole Obermann, Global Head of Music Business Development, TikTok
“Once again, TikTok’s Songs of the Summer list beautifully demonstrates how the magic of TikTok helps our global community to discover and promotes a diverse range of incredibly talented artists and their music.
Latin music is one of the most popular genres on TikTok so it’s no surprise to see Gata Only top our global list, alongside some other amazing emerging artists like Sevdaliza and Tommy Richman, as well as superstars such as Billie Eilish. The Songs of the Summer list is proof that both new and emerging artists of every genre, from anywhere in the world, can connect with over a billion music fans TikTok every day, build their careers and impact music culture.”
Top 10 songs in the US
- MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) – Tommy Richman
- Nasty – Tinashe
- Champagne Coast – Blood Orange
- Magic Johnson – Ian
- BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
- Please Please Please – Sabrina Carpenter
- Tell Ur Girlfriend – Lay Bankz
- Wanna Be (with Megan Thee Stallion) – GloRilla feat. Megan Thee Stallion
- Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
- KEHLANI – Jordan Adetunji
Top 10 songs globally
- Gata Only – FloyyMenor and Cris Mj
- Nasty – Tinashe
- MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) – Tommy Richman
- BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
- Alibi (with Pabllo Vittar & Yseult) (with Pabllo Vittar & Yseult) – Sevdaliza
- Please Please Please – Sabrina Carpenter
- ESTE – El Alfa, Nfasis
- Tell Ur Girlfriend – Lay Bankz
- Si No Quieres No – Luis R Conriquez, Neton Vega
- Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido – KAROL G
New to TikTok and want to explore Summer Songs on TikTok? Getting involved couldn’t be easier, simply download the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.
© 2024, Seth “Digital Crates” Barmash. All rights reserved.