How TikTok is Influencing Beatmaking Trends

Over the past few years, TikTok has exploded into the global spotlight, becoming a creative platform that transcends borders, languages, and cultures. Its influence isn’t limited to dance challenges or lip-syncing; it has become a formidable force in music production, particularly in beatmaking. TikTok’s short–form, highly visual content has helped redefine how beats are made, shared, and consumed by millions, and its impact on the art of beatmaking continues to evolve.

1. Accessibility and Democratization of Music Production

One of TikTok’s most significant contributions to beatmaking is making it accessible. Traditional music production once required extensive equipment, expensive software, and years of practice. Today, thanks to TikTok tutorials, beatmaking tips, and affordable or free mobile apps, anyone with a smartphone can get started with minimal resources. Aspiring producers can watch bite-sized, easy-to-digest tutorials on sampling, layering drums, and adding effects—all in under a minute. This democratization of beatmaking allows more people than ever to enter the world of music production, fueling diversity and creativity in beat trends.

Popular Example: Lo-Fi Beats

The rise of lo-fi music on TikTok is a prime example of how this platform fosters new trends. Lo-fi beats have become popular because they are easy to produce, yet versatile and widely appealing. By blending nostalgic samples with a minimalistic approach, producers can create tracks that resonate with TikTok’s relaxed, low-key aesthetic. Short videos provide quick tips on adding effects like vinyl crackles or creating simple yet effective melodies, inspiring a new generation to adopt the lo-fi style.

2. Driving Beatmaking Trends with Viral Sounds

One of TikTok’s defining features is the ability for a sound or beat to go viral, influencing millions of users in a matter of days. When a particular beat gains popularity on TikTok, other producers often hop on the trend, reworking or remixing the beat in their style, ultimately shaping the platform’s sound landscape. This phenomenon has led to a few beatmaking trends unique to TikTok.

Examples of Viral Beat Styles:

• Trap Beat Drops: Known for their punchy bass and quick hi-hats, trap beats continue to evolve thanks to TikTok’s fast-paced style. Producers emphasize dramatic drops in their tracks to match the visual impact of TikTok’s dance routines, making these beats highly energetic.
• Slow Reverb & Hyperpop: TikTok has also popularized both “slowed + reverb” and hyperpop beats. These two trends are on opposite ends of the spectrum: slowed reverb is smooth and relaxing, while hyperpop is intense and often features rapid, distorted beats. Producers capitalize on TikTok’s aesthetics to play with these extreme styles.

3. Sampling: Nostalgia Meets Novelty

Sampling has always been a key element in beatmaking, but TikTok has pushed it in new directions. There’s an ongoing trend of taking sounds from nostalgic songs, movies, or even viral videos, repurposing them in beats that evoke familiarity and intrigue. Producers on TikTok often reimagine older pop songs, sound effects, or dialogues, transforming them into innovative beats that appeal to a broad audience. With audiences sharing remixed beats from childhood cartoons, ’90s pop hits, or iconic movie lines, TikTok is building bridges between generations through the power of sampling.

Trending Example: TV Show Soundtracks

A rising trend involves producers using samples from popular TV shows or movies, adding a beat to iconic lines or melodies. This practice creates catchy, shareable beats, resonating with viewers who recognize the source material. Whether it’s a sample from “Stranger Things” or an iconic movie like “Mean Girls,” these beats combine familiarity with novelty, making them ideal for TikTok’s quick-scrolling format.

4. Collaborative Beatmaking and Remix Culture

TikTok has cultivated a unique environment where collaboration is not only encouraged but essential. The platform’s remix feature allows producers to add their style to an existing beat, remixing and building on what others have created. This remix culture is spurring a collaborative community, where producers share, inspire, and challenge one another.

A recent example of this is the “Beat Switch Challenge,” where producers take an existing beat and change it halfway through to create a surprising, dynamic shift. This encourages creativity and collaboration, as each beatmaker puts their spin on an already popular track, contributing to the evolving musical trends on TikTok.

5. Short-Form Structure’s Impact on Beat Length and Composition

The structure of TikTok videos—typically 15-60 seconds—has influenced how producers approach beatmaking. In this format, the intro must be immediately engaging, and the hook needs to arrive quickly to hold viewers’ attention. Beatmakers often front-load tracks with catchy elements to maximize engagement and fit TikTok’s short attention span.

Additionally, some producers are experimenting with more complex, dynamic compositions, knowing that their beats might only be used for a few seconds in a TikTok video. This is leading to an increase in short, punchy tracks with strong intros and memorable hooks. Beats created for TikTok often need to be instantly recognizable, encouraging producers to focus on uniqueness and impact over length.

6. The Rise of “Type Beats” and Personal Branding

TikTok is a launching pad for beatmakers looking to build their brands, and “type beats” are an effective way for producers to connect with their audience. “Type beats” are instrumentals designed to match the style of a particular artist, and on TikTok, producers can showcase their range by making beats inspired by popular artists like Drake, Travis Scott, or Billie Eilish. These beats are tagged with phrases like “Drake Type Beat” or “Travis Scott Type Beat,” making them easily searchable.

Through consistent branding with type beats, producers can cultivate a following and connect with artists seeking specific sounds. By leveraging TikTok’s visibility, beatmakers can showcase their versatility and attract potential collaborators or clients.

7. Influencing the Music Industry Beyond TikTok

As TikTok becomes more influential in music culture, the trends birthed on the platform often spill over into the mainstream music industry. Popular beats on TikTok frequently catch the attention of record labels, which leads to collaborations with artists or even official track releases. A beat that resonates with the TikTok audience can quickly gain traction on other platforms like Spotify and YouTube, leading to further exposure and opportunities for beatmakers.

Conclusion

TikTok has revolutionized beatmaking by making it more accessible, collaborative, and tailored to short-form, viral success. Producers can experiment with beats, share them with a global audience, and inspire new trends with unprecedented speed. As the platform continues to evolve, so too will the trends it fosters, influencing not only the sounds we hear on TikTok but also the wider music industry. For beatmakers, TikTok offers an exciting opportunity to connect, innovate, and carve out new paths in the world of music production. Whether you’re a budding producer or a seasoned pro, keeping an eye on TikTok’s beatmaking trends is essential to understanding where the future of music might be headed.