This week, TikTok unveiled its biggest music moments of the year. We’re breaking down the moments that our favorite Latinx artists and songs made an impact on the platform.
Before the pandemic, TikTok was already well on its way to becoming a leading social media platform. With people quarantining at home most of the year, they tuned to TikTok and all the viral challenges that solidified the app’s place in our phones.
Among the fastest songs to reach a billion views on TikTok this year, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” came in second place. Further down the list, late Panamanian-American rapper Pop Smoke’s “Mood Swings” came in ninth place.
TikTok cited Latin music as one of the biggest growing genres on the platform thanks to challenges inspired by Puerto Rican artist Ozuna’s “Caramelo” and Mexican group Los Tucanes de Tijuana’s “Espejeando.” The most followed Latin music artist on the platform is rising Colombian singer Camilo, who is closing in on 19 million followers.
Panamanian singer-songwriter Sech was selected as one of this year’s emerging artists on TikTok. His hit “Relación” earned him 1.7 million followers and 4.2 million video creations. The remix with Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Rosalía and Farruko helped the song make even more of an impact.
A Latinx creator who hit it big on TikTok this year was Nathan “Doggface” Apodaca. His video skateboarding to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” inspired countless recreations. The song also re-entered Billboard’s Hot 100 chart after a 43-year absence.
Latin music is everywhere now. Back in September, the Jonas Brothers’ Joe Jonas helped Omega’s “Pegao / Me Miro Y La Mire” go viral on the platform when he posted a video of himself and his wife Sophie Turner vibing to the song.