Tik Tok for Me Baby Drop It Like That

Lil Nas 10 | Jeff Kravitz/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

Lil Nas X | Jeff Kravitz/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

For awhile, TikTok felt like one big joke that anyone exterior of Gen Z didn't understand. The video sharing app is brutally inescapable, though, and has probably exposed yous to a handful of clips of songs yous can't get out of your head just by actualization on your social feeds that aren't TikTok. Originating from the lip-syncing app musical.ly, much of the TikTok-verse is all about making content to lay over the perfect song—be it coming upwardly with a new trip the light fantastic craze, lip-syncing, or soundtracking some sort of comic relief. The success of a TikTok song is a bit confounding since "erstwhile" songs do resurface on the app—going all the way dorsum to the freakin' 19th century—but its pull on what's trending in music is undeniable, making charting hits out of even obscure releases that the kids are playing over their videos.

Like all music, non every TikTok song is astonishing, but there are a scattering of gems on the app that are definitely worth listening to in total. Here are the best of those TikTok songs you've heard parts of, simply should definitely listen to the entire thing.

"Daisy," Ashnikko

If parents are at all freaked out by Billie Eilish, Ashnikko might be their worst nightmare. The neon-blueish-haired rapper looks like a walking anime punk princess. Although, to that she would probably say, "Fuck a princess, I'm a king," which is the commanding chorus of her striking "Daisy" that's all virtually how much of a badass she is. It's menacing with her snarky lyrics and trap beat that sounds similar it could soundtrack a Halloween movie—just that'south what makes it so twisted and fun. It'south the perfect fit for non only on glam TikTok, simply Harry Pottervillain Draco Malfoy fan fiction TikTok. (Yes, you read that right.)

"Prom Queen," Beach Bunny

Emo band Beach Bunny went from a Chicago DIY scene staple to one of the all-time up-and-coming groups today, and vocalist Lili Trifilio's earnest lyrics about the doldrums of immature womanhood are part of why they're and so swell. Songs similar "Prom Queen," nigh how much dazzler standards suck, are extremely relatable, and then it's no surprise that information technology took off on TikTok with videos that translate the lyrics and encourage viewers to be comfortable with themselves. The vocal's got a thoughtful message, fifty-fifty every bit it somberly recognizes how difficult it is not to compare ourselves to others, and those hooks are things of popular-punk dreams.

"Unlock It (Lock It)," Charli XCX (feat. Kim Petras, Jay Park)

If TikTok is what it takes for British alt pop artist Charli XCX to finally run into major levels of pop distinction, so be information technology! TikTokkers unearthed her fan favorite deep cut "Unlock It" off her acclaimed 2017 mixtape Pop ii for a trip the light fantastic toe challenge. The song is the prototype of Charli's bright and bold sound, with its boisterous production that bubbling until it bursts. Fifty-fifty with its uncomplicated, dizzying repetition, the creation between her and her frequent collaborator producer A.Thousand. Cook is like a trip into the digital cosmos.

"Kiss Me More," Doja True cat (feat. SZA)

Doja True cat is basically the queen of TikTok with more than a handful of sexy viral hits, and so leave information technology to her to serve up the ultimate catchy ode to kissing. The vocal features her signature disco touch with a mid-tempo groove, and she lays on the Studio 54 '70s hedonism strong with sensual references throughout that'll get you lot in the mood. Equally a certified song of the summer contender (with explicit lyrics that make for spicy lip syncs), the runway is all over the app. Information technology'due south basically meant for a spot on your makeout playlist, and a jam on its own, no less.

"Levitating," Dua Lipa

One of the best songs off Dua Lipa's 2020 album Future Nostalgia finally hit the No. two spot of the Hot 100 in spring 2021 thanks to TikTokkers (and a late 2020 remix). People on the app frequently recorded over the "you lot want me, I desire you lot baby" verse in reference to everything from junk food to risky decision making, but the nu disco song is even more fun beyond the line. The pop star invokes images of futurism with references to jet setting off into the Galaxy over a pop-disco track. The issue is a blast, and makes you wish you could really join Dua at a roller rink on Mars.

"Sugarcrash," ElyOtto

Fifty-fifty equally the frenetic electronic genre hyperpop increasingly becomes part of the conversation in music, a lot of songs and artists still exist on the fringes. Teenaged Canadian artist ElyOtto has seen some success on the charts, though, thanks to his runway "Sugarcrash" blowing upwardly on TikTok. Singing well-nigh feeling burnt out in a pixie-esque vocalisation over eccentric product, it sounds like, well, the euphoria of a sugar rush. The vocal'southward own lyric rings true: "Hyperpop upwardly in my ears, everything just disappears."

"In the Party," Flo Milli

When you heed to xx-year-old, LA-based rapper Flo Milli, her fast-spewing rhymes in her signature cutesy vocalism arrive feel as if you're hanging out with her and she's gossiping your ear off. Information technology'due south what she manages to exercise on her vocal "In the Political party," joined past a beat out that sounds particularly saccharine, looping her vocals into a nursery rhyme-like "la la la." Fabricated up of neat, domineering lines almost how she secures men, the vocal was basically meant to take off on TikTok with its very lip sync-able moments. (That is, if you can keep up with her bars.)

"Looking Out For You," Joy Again

Joy Again is a band from Philadelphia who makes buoyant, at times sweet, at times goofy, and at other times wry indie rock. 1 of their fan-favorite songs, which was originally released in 2016, plant delayed success on TikTok. With jangly guitars and a lo-fi sound, information technology'south the kind of vocal that snuggles up next to yous and makes a flutter of butterflies get off in your stomach, equally its lyrics detail the feeling of beingness shy around a crush. Of course the vocal would captive thousands of young people.

"Dealer," Lana Del Rey

The ultimate Cancer sun/purveyor of the sad daughter artful Lana Del Rey has been getting fans in their feelings for over a decade now. While TikTokkers have gravitated towards her trip-hop-heavy early work performed under her birth name Lizzy Grant (which is technically not even officially released), they've likewise found themselves in a pool of angst as a consequence of her Blue Bannisters track "Dealer." Co-written and performed by English language artist Miles Kane of The Last Shadow Puppets, it's one of her almost rock-influenced songs in years and extremely moody, with Lana howling that she doesn't desire to live if the male figure in the song continues to give her nada. It'll brand y'all want to put on all black, channel the beats, and try to exist the coolest version of yourself… until you're ultimately wailing, too.

"INDUSTRY Babe," Lil Nas X (feat. Jack Harlow)

No pop star understands memes, trolling, and turning something into a popular culture phenomenon like Lil Nas 10. (He broke out with "Erstwhile Town Road," and then that was a given from the outset.) Manifestly, that means he'south a main at TikTok, and makes bangers that are meant to be danced to on the platform. One of his about popular songs off his debut record MONTERO has dominated the charts and the app, considering how like shooting fish in a barrel it is to choreograph to the melodic pop-rap and flatulent production (crafted in office by Kanye West). Rapping near how he's evaded being a one-hit-wonder and how his queerness has only helped his success, it's a boom to hear the young rapper thriving. He's no industry plant—he's all his own, and thank goodness for that.

"Thot Shit," Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion has got the hits—all of which are excellent on TikTok. Her first single since the 2020 anthologyExpert News, "Thot Shit," gets play on the app, just like "Barbarous" and "Body" earlier it. Taking on her fierce persona Tina Snow in the song, she reclaims the term "thot" over an uptempo, bass-heavy banger. It's got everything that Meg's hotties beloved about her: sexually liberating lyrics that requite a hair flip and fuck you to backlash she'south gotten for being bold and suggestive, and uninhibited fun. Allow yourself to get your easily on your knees and shake information technology.

"Silk Chiffon," MUNA (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)

Even if life can feel pretty shitty at times, LA 3-slice MUNA is hither to remind yous just how fun it can be with this indie pop gem. It'due south their first release as signees on Phoebe Bridgers' label—even featuring a verse from the indie star herself—and a blissful, utterly addictive track about those sweetness moments when you lot're with the ane you lot dear (exchanging glances down the convenience store aisle, being out together until dawn) that brand life worth living. How could you lot non smile hearing those lyrics as sweet as cherry chapstick over such an explosive chorus?! TikTok's been getting ready to the song ever since it was released, and can't get enough of how queer it is.

"Deja Vu," Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo seemed to come out of most nowhere in early 2021, and immediately started breaking records with her debut unmarried "Driver's License." TikTokkers contributed to the success, since many were already familiar with the star, who just and then happens to be a Gen Z Disney darling. Her follow-up, "Deja Vu" proved she was never going to be a i-striking-wonder, though, and is ane of the best songs off her debut Sour. The song is similarly all over the app, and shows how much of a pop wunderkind Rodrigo is. It'south in the vulnerable details of her past human relationship (eating ice cream with i spoon and singing together like two obnoxious starry-eyed teens) that heighten her mourning of, as she describes, seeing her ex recycle those same moments with some other girl. It's transfixing, and no wonder her middle-on-her-sleeves lyrics have inspired some teary Toks.

"Just For Me," PinkPantheress

Few artists take successfully grown out of TikTok quite like PinkPantheress. Sure, a lot of acts have songs that blow up on the app or pattern challenges to coincide with a release, but few are essentially products of the app and know how to game it like this 20-twelvemonth-old English recording artist. The singer uploaded a handful of tracks to the app that went viral in early on 2021, and even concluded upward adapting her handle into her phase proper name. "Just For Me" is one of her catchiest. The contemplative, glitchy sleeping room pop song is produced by British producer Mura Masa and plays similar a toxic, all-consuming 24-hour interval dream—her high, pixie-like phonation detailing an obsession she tin't get over.

"I Like Him," Princess Nokia

As women accept been objectified in rap for years, it's been a treat as more women rappers accident up and flip the script. On this brief, sexy song from New York City-based rapper Princess Nokia, the blunt recording artist iterates all of the boys she'south burdensome on, and what she'll do in order to get them under her spell. It's like the soundtrack for swiping on dating apps—that is, if the app only showed hot, swipe-right-worthy options. And since everybody's got crushes that proceed them upwardly at dark, the teens are playing this one over vids that highlight the fictional characters and celebrities that have stolen their hearts.

"Freaks," Surf Curse

Some songs just find a way to strike a string with the youth. Like this i, for instance, which was starting time released past LA surf rock ring Surf Curse way back in 2013 and has been somewhat of an anthem for the band and the DIY scene surrounding them. The song blew up on TikTok in 2021, which helped the ring land their first-ever major label deal and even a remix from Travis Barker. It makes sense that information technology (eventually) catapulted them to success and has been embraced past immature listeners—you can't help but want to mosh to those repetitive guitars. And what kid doesn't feel like a bit of a freak every in one case in a while?

"Adept Days," SZA

SZA has the power to become anyone in their feelings, TikTokkers included. "Proficient Days" is the R&B singer's dreamy song about trying move on from the by in club to hunt the practiced days of tomorrow. One verse in particular has been knocking the wind out of the TikTok teens—"I worry that I wasted the all-time of me on you, infant / You lot don't care"—which should be enough of an indication of this i's emotional potency.

"T r a north s p a r eastward n t southward o u 50," WILLOW (feat. Travis Barker)

If y'all oasis't heard, popular punk is dorsum, with Gen Z-ers convinced they were meant to grow up with Myspace, Warped Bout, and scene haircuts, thank you to the influence of Hayley Williams and Machine Gun Kelly'due south 2020 albums and a few of Olivia Rodrigo'due south tracks. The pop punk of 2021 looks a chip dissimilar from its by, though, with more than young women and people of colour leading the charge. One of the biggest hits from the revival is this song from WILLOW (a.chiliad.a. Willow Smith). Taking pointers from her mother Jada Pinkett Smith'south fourth dimension in a nu metal band, the artist goes full mall goth, singing with a vengeance at exploitative, imitation peers. With Travis Barker of Blink-182 firing away on drums, it calls for head banging and a trip to Hot Topic.

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Sadie Bong is the entertainment associate editor at Thrillist. She'due south on Twitter and Instagram.

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