The popularity of accelerated versions of music in Tiktok It has transformed the way fans consume music, especially among the younger ones. This trend consists of increasing the speed of popular tracks by up to 30%, adjusting them to follow short and viral videos on the platform. This phenomenon has been so impactful that it came to boost artists on the music charts, as with British singer Raye, whose single “escapism” hit the top of the British charts after being accelerated by fans.
DJs for social networks
This practice began in the early 2000s with the “Nightcore” movement, created by Norwegian DJs who accelerated and increased the tone of songs. Today, the practice has become popular in social networking applications, where users can accelerate not only songs, but also podcasts, movies and other content. Spotify, for example, reported that by 2023 more than a third of the American listeners increased the speed of podcasts and about two thirds did the same with songs.
Dopamine
The growing demand for these accelerated versions is carrying platforms like the Tiktok and streaming services to consider new features that allow users to remix and share songs with adjusted timing. According to writer Mary Beth Ray, which specializes in digital musical culture, these short and accelerated versions fit the need for social networks to provide quick doses of dopamine to users.
Artists are adhering
Many artists and record labels are aware of this trend. Musicians like Nelly Furtado and Summer Walker have already adapted their careers to include accelerated versions of their work. Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter They also released official versions of their songs at different speeds, responding to public appeal for these alternative versions.
Not everyone approves
Although these accelerated versions are becoming increasingly popular, not all are satisfied. Artists such as Lil Yachty They showed discomfort with the spread of these versions, fearing that they can distort the original intention of their songs. Similarly, there have been reports that the audience at shows better recognizes the rapid versions of some songs, such as Steve Lacy’s Bad Habit, than original versions.
Fragmented audience
Despite the controversies, the accelerated versions seem to be here to stay. For some artists, such as producer Londrina Tonka ._ B, adjusting the speed of music is part of the creative process, allowing different versions of the same track to reach different audiences. This diversified approach can be an effective strategy for capturing the attention of an increasingly fragmented audience.
The impact of accelerated songs on Tiktok And other platforms continues to shape the music industry, providing new opportunities for artists and challenges for those who prefer to maintain the integrity of their original creations.
Summary for those in a hurry
- Acceleration of songs on Tiktok has boosted artists on the charts.
- Practice began with the “Nightcore” movement in the 2000s.
- Spotify and other platforms are testing features for remixing music.
- Artists like Nelly Furtado and Billie Eilish have officially released versions.
- Not all artists support the trend; Some fear the distortion of their works.
- Accelerated versions are becoming part of the creative process of new artists.