Though the Grammys celebrate the best in music, for a real understanding of who’s on the rise in the industry, TikTok may be a better barometer. Why is the platform so integral to Gen Z’s musical exploration? And how is TikTok changing the way they listen to and show love for their idols?
Natty Kasambala is the music editor-at-large at Dazed. She was previously a full-time strategist at Columbia Records UK and assistant music editor at Gal-dem, and is a regular contributor to Vogue, Dazed, i-D, Complex, NME, and other publications.
Wale Oloworekende is a Nigerian music and culture journalist based between Lagos and Accra who has profiled some of Africa’s biggest hitmakers and cultural figures. He has worked for Complex, The Guardian, Dazed, Red Bull, and The NATIVE. Wale writes a monthly column documenting the latest trends in contemporary African music for The Face and also regularly contributes to editorials by Audiomack and Apple Music.
Vincent Desmond is a writer, consultant, and editor living in Nigeria. He covers fashion, music, culture, identity, and art, and has reported for PAPER Magazine, Mail & Guardian, NYLON, i-D, Vice, Dazed, AnOther Magazine, OkayAfrica, The Guardian, and several more. He won the TIERS Nigeria Young Trailblazer Award in 2019 for his work.