Music meteorology: predicting the next wave of earworms with the tracks they’re teasing now.
Addison proves she’s the real deal, plus all the tracks they’re teasing right now.
Addison Rae, TikTok sensation turned pop star, has a lot riding on her new single, ‘Diet Pepsi’. It’s yet another potential pivot point in a career that many predicted would be fleeting. But here she is, defying expectations and challenging the notion that social media fame is a hollow vessel incapable of sustaining a lasting, credible pop career.
‘Diet Pepsi’ isn’t simply a catchy, potentially top-tier pop song – it’s a calculated move. Its slick production, courtesy of Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd, is polished to a high sheen, each beat and hook meticulously crafted to appeal to both the TikTok generation that propelled Rae to fame and a more pop-focused audience. The song, with its themes of flirtation and playful seduction, is pure Rae: light-hearted, fun, and instantly memorable. Yet, behind the bubblegum exterior lies a complex narrative about the nature of fame in the digital age and what it takes to transcend it.
To understand the significance of ‘Diet Pepsi’, one must first grasp the broader trend of social media stars attempting to break into the music industry – a trend that has seen its fair share of both successes and spectacular failures. Platforms like TikTok have democratised fame, allowing anyone with a smartphone and a knack for catching the algorithm’s favour to amass millions of followers. With this kind of instant fame comes the temptation to diversify, to translate those followers into something more substantial and, crucially, more profitable. For many, music is the obvious next step. The reasons are manifold: music offers creative expression, a potential for longevity beyond the often fickle world of social media, and an opportunity to cement one’s brand in the broader landscape of pop culture.
However, the transition from social media star to pop star is fraught with challenges. For every Troye Sivan, who has managed to carve out a credible music career post-YouTube, there are countless others who have stumbled, their attempts at pop stardom met with ridicule or, worse, indifference. The reasons for these failures are varied but often boil down to one key issue: credibility. The public, and by extension the music industry, is inherently sceptical of influencers who suddenly decide they’re pop stars. The question of talent looms large – can these internet sensations really sing? Do they have the musical chops to back up their ambition, or is it all smoke and mirrors?
Addison Rae has faced these questions head-on. Her debut single, ‘Obsessed’, released in 2021, was met with a mixed reception. Some praised its catchiness and Rae’s potential as a pop star, while others dismissed it as a vanity project, the latest in a long line of influencer cash grabs. But Rae didn’t give up. Instead, she went back to the drawing board, working with seasoned producers, and, crucially, aligning herself with credible figures in the music industry.
This is where Rae’s story diverges from that of many of her peers. While others might have relied solely on their social media fame to push them through, Rae has made strategic decisions that have helped her transition into a more serious artist. One of the most significant of these decisions was to collaborate with Charli xcx, with her avant-garde approach to music and her willingness to push boundaries. Charli’s involvement with Rae was a clear signal to the industry that Rae was someone to take seriously – or at least someone a serious talent wanted to have in her gang.
The importance of mentorship and collaboration in Rae’s career cannot be overstated. By aligning herself with established artists and producers, Rae has been able to navigate the notoriously difficult terrain of the music industry with a level of credibility that many of her peers lack. It’s a strategic alignment that has also allowed her to tap into a broader musical network, gaining access to resources and expertise that have undoubtedly shaped her sound and image. It doesn’t take away from the fact that Addison brings the X factor, but it supercharges that raw potential into actual, quantifiable substance.
‘Diet Pepsi’ is the culmination of these efforts. The track itself is a masterclass, but it’s the accompanying music video that really drives home Rae’s savvy as both an artist and a businesswoman. Directed by Sean Price Williams, the video is a visual feast of retro-inspired aesthetics, all black-and-white glamour punctuated by bursts of colour. The narrative is simple – a flirtatious, playful romp featuring actor Drew Van Acker – but it’s the brand integration that stands out. The video’s prominent use of Diet Pepsi isn’t just product placement; it’s a symbol of Rae’s ability to blend commercial success with creative output. How very social media star of her.
Brand partnerships like this are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they offer significant financial rewards and increased visibility. On the other, they can be seen as crass or overly commercial, particularly in the context of a pop career where authenticity is often prized above all else. Rae, however, manages to walk this tightrope with aplomb. The integration of Diet Pepsi feels natural, even cheeky – an extension of the track’s playful vibe rather than a jarring intrusion. It’s a testament to Rae’s understanding of the modern pop landscape, where the lines between art and commerce are increasingly blurred.
But what truly sets Addison Rae apart from the slew of other social media stars attempting to break into music is her authenticity. In an industry, and indeed, a social media ecosystem, where manufactured personas are the norm, Rae’s personality shines through. She comes across as genuine – not boring or real, but like she can actually carry off the persona she portrays in a way that can actually be believed.
What Rae has managed to do, which others have struggled with, is maintain that delicate balance between being a pop star and staying true to the persona that made her famous in the first place. She hasn’t tried to reinvent herself into something she’s not; instead, she’s evolved naturally, allowing her music career to grow organically. This is no small feat, especially in an industry that often demands reinvention as the price of longevity.
Rae’s ability to maintain relevance across multiple platforms is another key factor. Unlike some influencers who have attempted to transition into music and subsequently faded from view, Rae has kept a strong presence. She remains at the forefront of the pop culture conversation, part of the coolest clique around.
But perhaps what really sets Rae apart is her willingness to work hard and learn. The music industry is littered with stories of influencers who thought their social media fame would automatically translate into pop success, only to be met with the harsh reality that talent and hard work still matter. Whether she can maintain this momentum and achieve long-term success remains to be seen, but if her journey so far is any indication, she’s more than ready for the challenge.
LINKS IN BIO
THE NEW BOPS AND BANGERS THEY’RE TEASING FOR IMMINENT RELEASE
LISA FEAT. ROSALÍA – NEW WOMAN
Release date: 15th August 2024
If the music industry were a high school, this collaboration would be the cool exchange students showing up and making everyone question their life choices. BLACKPINK’s Lisa, not content with merely dominating the K-pop world, enlists Rosalía, Spain’s genre-defying provocateur, for a track that promises to be about as subtle as a flamenco dancer at a rave. Expect a cultural and linguistic mash-up that’ll have you reaching for Google Translate while your feet move of their own accord.
ELLIE GOULDING & STARSMITH – LEAVE ME SLOWLY
Release date: 15th August 2024
In an industry where reunions are often more about nostalgia than innovation, Ellie Goulding’s link-up with Starsmith feels like a homecoming we didn’t know we needed. ‘Leave Me Slowly’ isn’t just a track; it’s a time machine with a fresh coat of paint. Goulding, who’s spent the last decade quietly proving she’s got more depth than your average pop star, returns to the source of her earliest triumphs. Expect a song that bridges the gap between the wide-eyed newcomer who gave us ‘Lights’ and the battle-hardened pop veteran of today.
PENDULUM X JOEY VALENCE & BRAE – NAPALM
Release date: 21st August 2024
Pendulum, those patron saints of drum and bass, have decided that merely melting faces isn’t enough – they want to set them on fire too. Enter ‘Napalm,’ a collaboration with Joey Valence & Brae that sounds less like a song title and more like a health and safety warning. This track is Pendulum’s way of reminding everyone that while they might have been quiet, they certainly haven’t gone soft. With Joey Valence & Brae bringing their brand of hip-hop-infused mayhem to the mix, ‘Napalm’ promises to be the sonic equivalent of strapping a rocket to a rollercoaster. Wear helmets, folks – this one’s going to leave a mark.
COLDPLAY FEAT. LITTLE SIMZ, BURNA BOY, ELYANNA, TINI – WE PRAY
Release date: 23rd August 2024
Just when you thought Coldplay couldn’t get any more Coldplay, they go and create the United Nations of pop bangers. Debuted at Glastonbury 2024, this track brings together Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, and TINI in what can only be described as an attempt to solve world peace through the power of soaring choruses. Say what you will about Coldplay, but their ability to turn earnestness into an art form remains unmatched.
JUNGLE – LET’S GO BACK
Release date: 4th September 2024
Jungle, those purveyors of funk so crisp it could snap in half, are back with ‘Let’s Go Back’ – a title that feels less like an invitation and more like a command. Fresh off their 2023 album Volcano, which erupted onto the scene with all the subtlety of, well, a volcano, Jungle seem intent on reminding us why we fell in love with them in the first place. Expect a track that does exactly what it says on the tin – takes us back to a time when dance music had soul, when grooves were measured in seismic activity, and when a good bassline could solve most of life’s problems. In a world of disposable pop, Jungle remain a band you can set your watch to – assuming your watch is calibrated to “funk o’clock.”
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