Fan-made sped-up versions of RAYE’s single Escapism have taken social media by storm, helping the artist achieve her first-ever number one on the UK Official Singles Chart. This emerging trend on platforms like TikTok involves creators changing the tempo of popular songs by 25-30%, creating viral videos of dances or other themes.
The phenomenon of sped-up listening has roots in the early 2000s with “nightcore,” but has now evolved to include various forms of media, including podcasts and movies. Spotify is even testing a feature that would allow users to remix the tempo of songs and share them.
While some artists embrace the trend, others like Lil Yachty and Steve Lacy have expressed concerns about the impact of speed-altered versions on their music. Despite the mixed reactions, it seems that sped-up and slowed-down versions of songs are here to stay, offering a new way for artists to connect with audiences and climb the charts.
For 23-year-old artist and producer tonka._.b, adjusting speed and tempo is all part of her creative process, allowing her to explore different sounds and reach new audiences. As the music industry continues to adapt to this trend, it will be interesting to see how artists navigate the changing landscape of digital music culture.
