Imagine a world where a social media app doesn't just share funny cat videos or dance challenges—it actually shapes the music industry, reviving forgotten classics and catapulting newcomers to stardom. TikTok did exactly that in 2025, crowning unexpected winners at its annual music awards and proving its power in ways that even seasoned industry vets might not have predicted. But here's where it gets really intriguing: Could this platform be the ultimate equalizer for artists, or is it just amplifying algorithm-favored hits at the expense of true talent? Stick around as we dive into the standout stories from this year's TikTok awards, and you might just rethink how music gets discovered today.
At the heart of TikTok's 2025 accolades is the breakout success of Katseye, a Los Angeles-based girl group that took the platform by storm. This six-member ensemble—featuring talent from the U.S., Philippines, South Korea, and Switzerland—snagged the coveted Global Artist of the Year title, amassing over 30 billion views and sparking 12 million user-generated creations. To put that in perspective for beginners, these creations aren't just passive shares; they're original videos where fans remix, lip-sync, or dance to the music, turning artists into global sensations overnight. Katseye's rise didn't stop there—they picked up two Grammy nominations just last month, including Best New Artist, a prestigious award that recognizes fresh voices in the music world. Their track 'Gnarly' alone ignited 2.4 million videos, with cameos from superstars like Camila Cabello and K-pop groups such as Enhypen, Le Sserafim, and Tomorrow X Together. And this is the part most people miss: How a single song can bridge cultures and languages, making international collaborations feel like the norm.
Then there's 'Gabriela,' another Katseye hit that not only earned them a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys but also kicked off a massive dance craze. Picture this: Users flocked to create 2.8 million videos, racking up 9.8 billion views. Even their partnership with fashion giant The Gap—featuring a cheeky dance to Kelis' 'Milkshake'—exploded with 151 million views and countless fan remakes. As the group put it in a TikTok statement, 'We had an unforgettable year on TikTok, and it was all because of the EYEKONS who showed up for us every single day. You turned our songs, our moments, and our chaos into something truly global, and we are so grateful for this community.' It's a heartwarming reminder of how fan engagement can transform artists from local acts into worldwide phenomena.
But wait, TikTok isn't just about the new kids on the block—it's resurrecting legends too. Take Connie Francis, the iconic singer from the '50s and '60s who sadly passed away in July 2025, just over a month after joining the app in June. In her debut video, she expressed sheer amazement at the 'huge buzz' her 1962 hit 'Pretty Little Baby' was generating. That song? It claimed TikTok's Global Song of the Year and topped the U.S. charts, fueled by a staggering 28.4 million user videos and 68.6 billion views. For context, if you're new to this, streaming services like Spotify saw over 130 million plays of the track, and it even climbed onto the Billboard Global 200—a ranking of the world's top songs. Kylie Jenner's video featuring her daughter Stormi alone garnered 132 million views, showcasing how family moments can go viral. Tracy Gardner, TikTok's global head of music business development, noted that the song 'was adopted by a new generation,' highlighting the platform's knack for bridging generational gaps. This raises a provocative question: Is TikTok genuinely reviving classics, or is it repackaging nostalgia for quick clicks? What do you think—does this kind of resurgence honor artists like Connie Francis, or dilute their original legacy?
Of course, TikTok wasn't about to leave Taylor Swift out of the spotlight. The pop superstar secured the Global Most-Saved Artist award for 2025, with fans saving countless tracks—from her latest album 'The Life of a Showgirl'—directly from TikTok to their favorite streaming apps. It's a testament to her enduring appeal, where saving a song means bookmarking it for later enjoyment, often leading to real purchases or streams.
And there's more to unpack from TikTok's 2025 lineup:
- The Global Most-Saved Track went to 'Back to Friends' by Sombr, who also nabbed a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. This song inspired 7.7 million creations and 21.7 billion views, proving how a catchy tune can unite creators worldwide.
- Tate McRae's album 'So Close To What' took home the Global Most-Saved Album prize. The Canadian sensation, with over 13.5 million TikTok followers, exemplifies how the app builds dedicated fanbases.
- Top Songwriter honors went to Ejae from the group HUNTR/X, featured in the viral TV show 'KPop Demon Hunters.' He co-wrote hits for the soundtrack, including 'Golden,' which amassed 9.8 million creations, 23.6 billion views, and three Grammy nods—one for Song of the Year.
- The Music Trend of the Year was 'Anxiety' by Doechii, sparking a dance fad that even drew in Will Smith and 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' star Tatyana Ali. The track racked up 10.4 million videos and 51.6 billion views, plus five Grammy nominations, including Record and Song of the Year.
In her statement, Gardner emphasized that 'TikTok has become the industry’s most powerful engine for music discovery, the place where beloved classics find a second life and new voices break through – particularly those of women, who dominated music on TikTok in 2025.' Now, here's where it gets controversial: Does this dominance by female artists reflect a true shift toward inclusivity, or is it just the algorithm favoring certain trends? And is TikTok democratizing music, or creating a bubble where only viral hits thrive, sidelining deeper genres?
TikTok connects global audiences to the artists and the music they love, and that ability to spark fandom for every kind of artist and genre is what continues to set us apart. To round out the top performers, here's TikTok's Top 10 Global Artists of 2025:
- Katseye
- Alan Arrieta
- Enhypen
- Bad Bunny
- Stray Kids
- Taylor Swift
- Lady Gaga
- Fuerza Regida
- Billie Eilish
- Ariana Grande
And for the songs that had everyone humming along:
TikTok's Top 20 Global Songs of 2025:
- 'Pretty Little Baby' – Connie Francis
- 'Hold My Hand' – Jess Glynne
- 'Rock That Body' – Black Eyed Peas
- 'Azul' – J Balvin
- 'Dame Un Grrr' – Fantomel x Kate Linn
- 'APT' – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
- 'Te Quería Ver' – Alemán & Neton Vega
- 'Stecu Stecu' – Faris Adam
- 'Anxiety' – Doechii
- 'Sailor Song' – Gigi Perez
- 'Shake It To The Max' – MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, Shenseea
- 'Ocean Eyes' – Billie Eilish
- 'No One Noticed' – The Marias
- 'Back to Friends' – Sombr
- 'Sparks' – Coldplay
- 'That's So True' – Gracie Abrams
- 'Let Down' – Radiohead
- 'Suave' – El Alfa
- 'My Darling' – Chella
- 'We Hug Now' – Sydney Rose
As Mike Snider, USA TODAY's national trending news reporter, covers these evolving trends, it's clear TikTok is redefining how we experience music. But what about you? Do you believe platforms like this are revolutionizing the industry for the better, or are they prioritizing fleeting virality over artistic depth? Share your thoughts in the comments below—do you agree that women-led music is dominating, or disagree? Let's discuss!
