Is TikTok the reigning social media platform? The tank of TikTok turns into an unexpected trend!

The end of TikTok, that’s what people predicted would happen on January 31, 2024 as word spread that the music from Universal Music Group (UMG) artists is going to be pulled from TikTok.

With the loss of iconic artists like Taylor Swift and The Beatles, TikTok users adapted, and a surprising phenomenon emerged: a surge in user-generated content that unlocked new trends.

TikTok users started turning the missing and popular UMG songs into a cappella renditions. Hilarious and often off-key covers flooded TikTok as these covers started being used by everyone, sometimes even artists themselves.

On the other hand, artists like Meghan Trainor took this opportunity of not being part of UMG’s catalogue to market her songs that were still available on TikTok.

The TikTok community proved that, despite the platform originating as a music-centered platform, the unexpected turns of events did not vastly affect them. People not only adapted but thrived, turning the situation into a springboard for creativity and laughter.

While it is uncertain whether UMG’s catalogue will return to TikTok, this whole debacle showed the strength of the platform and its ability to foster a space that people won’t easily leave behind.

Some people still believe though that eventually, people will turn away from TikTok when looking for music-centered content. What will replace TikTok remains the question, is it going to be Instagram reels, YouTube shorts, or a completely new platform?