onehitpodcast

The hosts of One Hit Wander discuss the success of artists on TikTok and whether they will have longevity in the music industry. They focus on Pink Pantheress, a singer and producer from London who gained popularity through TikTok. While she has a unique sound and has collaborated with various artists, she has been criticized for her weak stage presence. However, she is working on improving and has the potential to grow as an artist due to her catchy music and creative style. Her young age and ability to release new and unique songs suggest she will continue to gain fans and evolve as an artist. Hi everyone, welcome to One Hit Wander, where we delve into artists that made a name for themselves off TikTok. I'm Alondra. I'm Sindhu. And I'm Ryan. And we are your hosts. As more and more people join the app, TikTok has been increasingly setting trends in music and launching artists who make waves. Many of today's famous musicians have launched their careers on TikTok, and popular music is by definition democratic. If people don't like something, they're not going to listen to it. Popular music is supported by the masses, not their aristocracy. The key to a successful TikTok song is having a powerful, memorable, and extremely catchy hook or segment. But is a strong hook enough to keep listeners engaged in an artist? Today we'll be discussing Pink Pantheress, Ice Vice, and Doja Cat. While they are all currently in the spotlight, will they stay in the spotlight? Starting off strong, let's discuss Pink Pantheress, a singer and producer from London who blew up with her song Just a Waste on TikTok in 2021. Her music is electronic pop, with soft vocals and layered instrumentals, and is also extremely short. Think songs that are two to three minutes maximum. Pink blew up in the most organic way, by promoting her own music on the platform. She's extremely private, though, and doesn't share her real name with interviewers, as she deigned to on a recent New York Times profile released this October. This privacy is probably because she's used to working behind the curtain, and continues to produce and write all her own music. At 22 years old, she sings about love and life in an extremely grounded and relatable manner. One of my personal favorites from her is Take Me Home, a song about the pains of becoming an adult and adjusting to life in your 20s. The unique flair Pink brings to her music is all her own. Sampling a wide range of electronic songs and toying with different clips to produce an R&B, pop, and garage-influenced sound that is both nostalgic and completely new. This Y2K-inspired sound is evident on her 2021 debut mixtape, To Hell With It, and her debut album, Heaven Knows, that was released this November. For me, Heaven Knows cemented Pink as an artist with a developed sound and wide creative range. The songs are still short, but more actualized. She sings about beams of celebrity, like on True Romance, and ill-fated love, like on The Aisle, anchored by strong beats and backing instrumentals. Pink's biggest hit so far is the album's closer, The Boy's a Liar Part II, featuring Ice Spice, which recently hit platinum in the US. At 22 years old, Pink is one of the youngest hitmakers in the music industry right now, and has collaborated with an extremely wide range of artists, including Baby Keem and B. Doobie. However, despite her string of hits, Pink has been criticized for her lack of live performing and weak stage presence. A video of her performing at South by Southwest in Austin this March included her lip-syncing into a microphone with a purse on her shoulder. Speaking to the New York Times, she said she doesn't enjoy performing on big stages. Quote, Because my music is so fast and loud on occasion, people expect me to do some crazy stuff, and that's not really me. However, since she's set to open for pop singer Olivia Rodrigo's upcoming tour, Pink said she's been taking movement classes and exercising her vocal cords, and is, quote, way better at performing now. I guess we'll have to wait and see if her efforts have paid off, but just for now, do you guys think Pink Panthers will have longevity as an artist if she doesn't have a strong stage presence? So, I actually did see her, um, when she performed at Wagnall, like, in November, and, like, not gonna lie, her set was kind of, it wasn't giving, like, she was standing there and, like, I don't remember if she brought out her, like, iconic little purse that Doobie was, but, like, I feel like the highlight, or, like, whatever I'm talking about, I don't know if you guys saw the video of the guy dancing to Irish music, and, like, he wasn't even a part of the set, and he went up on the stage, and, like, that's what everyone was talking about, and I feel like, in terms of her performance, like, no one was like, oh my gosh, like, Pink Panthers, like, you know, like, did her shit, like, yeah, she performed, like, really iconic runs of hers, but I don't think that she did, like, like, her stage presence wasn't the same as, like, other artists, and I think that it wouldn't really affect her as, like, like, longevity, but I feel like in terms of people buying her concert tickets, like, I don't think people would. I think that's, like, that is a big part of longevity, like, being relevant in the scene, but I think because she, like, kind of blew up fairly quickly, like, for now, maybe she can work on that, because I think her music is so catchy, and, like, it really is, like, such a different sound, like, so creative, and I think there's a lot of artists that are big and have remained big who are not good at performing, and I think, you know, that's something you can learn, that's something you can improve on. Can I see? Like, I think, like, how you said that she was just starting off, like, I think it's also nerves, because she had an interview where she was, I forgot, I think she was talking to Nardor, or I don't know, she was saying how she was really nervous because it's the largest crowd she was probably going to perform at, or she didn't really know, like, what to expect in terms of, like, because it's a festival, so you don't really know who's going to come to your set, and so I think the more she gets used to performing in front of large crowds, she's going to kind of find her, you know, she's going to find, like, her way, and, like, feel more comfortable. I do feel like she's probably going to have to, like, have, I don't know if it'll be, like, background dancers, or, like, a set, but, like, she has to. She's going to have to hire her, for sure. No, I think she'll definitely have to add, like, something visually to, like, engage people, because even just, like, the way she sings, it's not, like, she's not, like, belting, like, on stage. It's, like, kind of, like, quiet, whispery, but, like, digital instrumentals. That's what I think. I think that, like, none of her songs require her to be, you know, hitting, like, super high notes and stuff, but, like, it just has, like, a cool, kind of, like, weird Y2K sound, and, like, I think that, like, performances can be so much more than just, like, singing and, like, dancing and stuff. Like, they, like, if she could kind of, like, tap into, like, that sort of realm, and, like, just keeping it, like, super cool, and, like, different technology and stuff, or what not, like, just, like, a cool visual performance, then that could be a totally different, like, way to go about it. Because the songs she performed were really good. I like her music. I think it's just, sorry, yeah, like, incorporating, like, her style into the performance. Yeah. I also think, I think it would be cool if she, like, DJed at, like, her live show to, like, remix her own songs. Like, maybe something, like, to, like, like, I guess play into, like, her, like, nervousness performing. Like, you know, like, maybe, like, performing in a little, like, box. Like, you know what I mean? But just, like, you know, like, she doesn't have to do, like, you know, like, Beyonce, like, you know, like, do, like, the whole choreography and stuff. But, like, there's so much, like, different ways to, like, perform your craft and perform your art. And, like, she has that sound. Like, she totally has the sound, and, like, the creative, like, aspect to her music. But she can do that as a performance element. I don't think, I think, I just don't think her, like, lack, or, like, her nervousness or her lack of, like, performance is going to hinder, like, her longevity. I think that she's going to continue growing. Because she has that niche sound. Like, she's totally different. Yeah, no one, really no one is doing it like that. I would say that. It's very unique. Yeah. No, it is really unique. And I think the way that she's able to, like, release new songs and not have it be, like, she's just, like, regurgitating, like, other songs she's already released means that she, she's also, like, super young. Like, she's, like, I think, like, a year older than me, at least, or something like that. And because of that, I think she's just going to continue to grow as an artist and, like, find new sounds to play with, collaborate with new artists. I'm, like, really excited to see where she's going to go. I agree. I'm totally with you on that. I was just going to say, I think it's cool how she's, like, how you said, like, she's really young and she's not even from the U.S. and she has such a big presence in the U.S. Yeah. Because, like, I don't know how big she is in the U.K., but I feel like here, like, her songs are all over TikTok, like, you know? And then it's not even people doing, like, there's no, like, dances to her songs, right? So, like, people using it, like, for every, like, clip that they'll do. So, I think that's pretty cool. It definitely taps into, like, this, like, I don't know, this, like, vibe or aesthetic that I feel like Gen Z, especially people, like, in high school right now, really enjoy. She just is, like, she's just, like, tapped into exactly the right audience. It's, like, I feel like her, like, creative, like, visual or kind of just, like, tone is Y2K, but it's not, like, cheesy, like, Y2K pop. Like, it's like her own sound, but, like, with this, like, kind of, like, taking you back to, like, to 2010, like, vibe. But not, like, not sounding like that, you know? Like, I don't know, but, like, it's, like, quirky. It is, yeah. I think she's only going to continue to amass fans, and I feel like it will be really interesting seeing her performing on Olivia Rodrigo's upcoming tour. Yeah, it will be awesome. Cool. Finally, let's talk about someone who shifted the whole trajectory of music on TikTok. Someone whose career has truly been catapulted by the platform. If anyone deserves to be crowned the queen of music on TikTok, it's Doja Cat. When Doja releases a song on TikTok, it goes viral. That's just the way it is. You may know her from her quirky song, Moo, or from her list of controversial moments. Regardless, Doja has been in the spotlight since her career took off in 2018. While her career did not start on TikTok, it truly skyrocketed thanks to the platform. Almost eight of her songs have gone viral on TikTok, accompanied with challenges, dances, and more, even earning her a number one on the Billboard Top 100. Doja started making music on SoundCloud as a teen. She was recognized by a label in 2013, to which she was signed, and released her initial EP. Her initial virality struck upon her release of Moo, which garnered 128 million views on YouTube. When I first heard the song, all I could think was, how can this girl make such a stupid song sound low-key catchy? While the song was clearly a jab at her almost satirical view on fame and the music industry as a whole, she still delivers exceptional talent in the song through some really odd freaking lyrics. So what sets Doja apart from other artists, especially within the realm of TikTok? Doja's success on TikTok is one that is purely organic and genius. I think she has mastered the art of the 15-second pulse point in her songs that makes her songs such a hit on the app. Because of the catchiness and success of these segments, the trends that emerge occur naturally from the support of her fans. She never has to force these trends upon us. Being the absolute genius she is, she later incorporates these dances and challenges into her performances, music videos, and marketing. Her sound is also extremely diverse, refusing to stick to just one sound. Her delivery is consistent, and her bars are quality. Not only can she deliver songs with quality, but she performs with exceptional skill. She can dance, she can sing, and she can rap live. Her persona in music has a level of confidence and originality that attracts her listeners. Her motto, my life, my rules, my style, my attitude, is a clear representation of the feelings that emerge from her music. Listeners feel a sense of confidence, creativity, that bad bitch energy that gets you going when you're down and you need a pick-me-up. She just has her own style, and she's damn creative. So what is the biggest obstacle Doja Cat has faced in becoming a superstar? While Doja's music has no issue garnering attention in streams, her personality garners almost an even stronger sense of direct attention. She has faced lots of scrutiny for her association with controversial people, snapping back at her fans, and simply just not caring what people have to think about her. But at the end of the day, I think that's why so many people love her, because she does what she does exceptionally well without caring about public opinion. Her music speaks for itself. In her new album, Scarlet, she is ditching the radio-friendly sound that blew up her career. The lead single, Attention, is one that boasts blows and bars and about being unapologetically her in her new musical approach. She vowed that she wasn't doing pop anymore, and said she was going to display her rap game and lyricism after critics began to doubt her. After spending much of the last year trolling judgy fans, she's served up this rare sort of artistic clawback, and it's fiery. It's hot. Doja lets her rap do the talking, and it's more persuasive than ever. She's got a lot of shit to talk on Scarlet. So my one question is, with her multitude of bangers that blew up during COVID on TikTok, is Doja able to keep the tunes coming? She has faced lots of scrutiny for her association with controversial people, snapping back at her fans, and simply just not caring what people have to say about her. But that's why I feel like so many people love her, because she does what she does exceptionally well without the care of public opinion. Her music speaks for itself. And I think her new album, Scarlet, is a testament to my answer. It seems to be a jab at all the people who doubt her, and think that she's just a TikTok dance-making robot. Scarlet proves that Doja is a talented musician, and she's here to stay. But what do you guys think? I think that she self-sabotages a lot, but that's how people like her, though, because she's kind of really real. But then I don't understand why she has to always diss her fans. I wouldn't be a fan of her, knowing that people always talk about her. She's super controversial, but everyone still listens to her music, whether they like it or not. It's weird. I'd actually have to say that I feel like it almost makes me like her more, how she talks about her fans and about celebrity, because I think she's way more real about it than a lot of artists are. Because ultimately, even though your fans are the reason that you have amassed a certain amount of fame, you kind of don't owe them everything. And I think in this day and age, with social media and how people talk about celebrities, a lot of people feel like they're entitled to very personal, intimate details about people's lives. You can see how Swifties talk about Taylor Swift as one. And I feel like it brings an honesty to her music, which is evident in songs like Attention. I feel like that was a really good single. Totally. Yeah. Yeah, well, the new single Attention is, I think, says it all about her new shift and ditching the radio-friendly sound. I think that's what people want from her, is that bad bitch energy and doesn't care what people have to say about her. I'm not a Doja Cat hater, I do listen to her music, but I don't really feel like her music has changed so much. Her persona has just changed. She wants to be real, really bad, but then her music isn't... I don't know, it's not changing for me. It's not a big enough change for you. Yeah. I feel that. I think she definitely could have probably pushed the sound a little bit more. I felt with Attention when it came out that it was a little bit exciting, because I was like, oh, she's rapping more. She's talking back to her critics. It's way edgier. And Paint the Town Red, I feel like, has the same themes, but how it sounds is very similar. Yeah, it's still her OG pop sound. I feel like she didn't give us quite enough. I want more of her attention. Do you think that she would stay relevant years from now? That's a very good question, because honestly, when I think about her, she's been around for a while. She blew up when we were in high school with Moe. Yeah, that was a good one. With that song, I don't understand how she can make something so stupid sound catchy. I feel like that's something that, for me, I think that she has that talent of doing weird, quirky stuff in a way that works. And it's creative. It attracts different crowds and stuff. It has that TikTok crowd, but it also has the edgier, crappier new stuff. I feel like, personally, she's going to stay relevant, just because she's adapting as her career goes. Just playing into more of what she wants to do, rather than what's successful for her, and what's selling more. But I think that her controversy limits her success. I think that she's never going to grow to the point where she could, because she keeps getting stuck in these guffaws. On your point about self-sabotage, I actually feel like, yes, her controversy definitely holds her back a little bit, but I feel like if she's not going to last as an artist, which I feel like she most likely will, it'll be because she's not interested in the music industry anymore. I feel like she's going to withdraw. So I'm just curious, after Scarlett, and after, I don't know how much shit she's been doing, what the next album is going to look like. Is she going to want to stay in the music industry? That's the real question, I feel like. I think people are always going to listen to her music, but does she hate the music industry that much that she would give up? There was that point in time where she was on Live all the time, making music and interacting with her fans. I feel like people liked that a lot, and then she stopped doing it and was just like, I don't owe you guys anything. So I feel like if she was trying to do it to be more popular in the music industry, she would have kept doing it. So I think a lot of the stuff she does, I feel like she just does herself. Do you think it's having a cash drive sort of thing, where she knows what she does well, so she stays in that bubble? Like a pull-in fund? She could go out, she can shift her art a little bit and go outside that bubble, but she knows that's not going to sell. I think so. I don't know, I think that maybe she's being limited by the people who are on her marketing or creative journey. I'd like to think, because I feel like it's disappointing to me she hasn't experimented more with sound, but obviously on her lives, she does a lot of mixing, she likes to play around a lot. But it's been proven that a certain sound she has is going to work, it's going to get the most amount of streams. Even now, Pink the Town Red is so much more popular than Attention. So I feel like she'd be able to get newer fans and more fans if she did actually try something new. Alright. Thank you. In such a dynamic world of rap, iSpice has captivated audiences through her unique beats, using her music, collaborations, and persona that keeps fans anticipating what's next in her evolving career. The question I have for you guys is, in terms of her future career, do you guys think it's her music or her appearance that's contributing to her success, and will it continue to attract and keep fans? I think that undeniably her appearance is part of it. Not just in a sexualized way, which I feel like has been part of it, but I think people will talk about her figure, and obviously she shakes ass in all her videos, and she's good at it! But I think that her orange afro bob is so iconic, that it's definitely helped her maintain relevancy or be recognizable. Even when she's not wearing that hair, I remember there were a couple red carpets where she had blonde hair, it's still orange. She's trademarked herself. I agree. I think that the look, to me, definitely is more what she's known for. Rather than her music. I think her music is obviously very popular, and it's gained a lot of attention and whatnot, but I don't think it's strong enough to stick around, if that makes sense. It is new and fun, but I think it's not unique enough, more so diverse enough. I was going to say that I feel like she's attracted an audience that doesn't really pay attention to lyrics. She's not an artist that you're just like, oh wow, this is so deep and meaningful. It's more like fun music, right? So I feel like, in terms of keeping an audience, it'll be someone who's just looking for that kind of drill beat. I think she definitely plays a more niche audience, rather than a girl. Audience, does that make sense? Yeah. And I think, like you said, I feel like she markets herself really well, just in terms of, she blew up, and she's been working. She's been working. She has a Barbie movie. She has a song with Pink Panther that's super popular, too. And then, I know right now, she has collaborations with Central City. Yeah, I forgot about that. I think she's done a great job diversifying herself, but not enough her music. I think what attracts her audience more so is her socializing. It's kind of fun. She's cool. They're less involved with her music. So overall, I think even with her controversies and shifting her sound and whatnot, I personally believe Doja Cat is here to stay. I think her music is creative, and I think it speaks for itself. She knows what she's doing, and it sells. And she doesn't get angry. She's just very calm, like, that's what it is. So bad, but... Yeah. I think having someone who seems more grounded be such a big star, it makes it easy. She's very easy to like, I feel. So even people who don't listen to her music that much, I would say I really don't like her. I think she's not going anywhere. Her music might be, but she's not. She's cool. People are going to look at what she's doing and whatnot, just because she's different. Yeah, and I think her ad-libs are so iconic. The little, like, what? I don't know. You already know who it is. But yeah, I think in terms of longevity, she's not going to... I feel like as her looks change, she might not... I don't see people listening to her in 80 years or anything. I don't see her music keeping up with the trends and the ever-changing music industry. But that is no way to her. No, yeah. No, I think that she's not going anywhere. Her music might be is a good way to put it. Because I could normally see her, I don't know about, like, talk show hosts or anything. I just see her voice being out there. I just think people want to hear her voice. Maybe they want to see music. I definitely see her in modeling or being the face of a different brand. If she was selling something, people would buy it. For sure. Fashion, I feel like she has... Her outfits, I feel like I see people recreating them. Even I feel like Doja Cat right now is in her ice ice fashion era. I feel like she's always been, too, though. Doja Cat has always had really good outfits. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Definitely. Then Pink is like... Her little, like, on-female... She fluctuates, I feel like. And right now, she's very Y2K, I think. Oh, yeah. But, no. I think, in terms of it being iconic, I remember after Bikini Bottom, that Halloween, people were wearing the yellow wig, or the orange wig, and the green bandeau. There's just something about her that sticks with you. Yeah. For sure, yeah. As we wrap up today's episode on these three artists, we've learned how much of an impact Gen Z can have on artists emerging into the music industry, and how far they can go with just a 15-second hit verse. Although there are constantly new artists on our For You page, spanning different genres, and shifting the music industry as we know it, it's not easy to keep up with the constantly evolving industry. We've seen artists come and go, we've seen artists turn into superstars, and we continue to see new artists on our feed every single day. The next artist is just one flow away. Join us next week as we wander through the artists keeping your For You page alive.