The Rise of the Pop Girlies
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Since the early 2010s, the pop music scene has lacked strong female voices it once had until this summer. This summer, the renaissance of strong women in pop music has dominated the industry in a way that feels familiar yet completely different from anything seen before. If you've been anywhere near social media or radio in the past year, you've probably noticed your For You Pages and playlists packed with new hits from female artists. With the release of Billie Eilish’s album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT on May 17th, Charli XCX’s brat on June 7th, and other artists like Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan, it is clear that women in pop have swept away the music scene this summer. Some may think, "Didn't we have this with Britney, Gaga, and Katy Perry?" But trust me - what's happening now is a whole different ball game. We're living in an era where TikTok is the new MTV. Trends are moving at lightning speed, and how we consume music has transformed the pop landscape entirely.
Unlike the MTV-dominated era of the 2000s, today, pop hits often begin their journey as 15-second snippets on TikTok. Songs like Sabrina Carpenter's “Espresso” and Chappell Roan's “Pink Pony Club” gained momentum through viral moments and user-generated content before reaching mainstream recognition. Charli XCX’s “Apple" dance and Chappell Roan’s “Casual” created trends where people could share moments relating to that song. Since TikTok is the driving force behind the popularity of most new pop music, relatability in lyrics is vital. If people feel that a snippet of a song is relatable, it can become a trend, driving more views, interaction with the song, and interaction with the artist. TikTok has democratized music exposure, accelerating the pace at which songs rise and fall in popularity. The difference lies in consumption patterns: while previous generations waited for radio plays or music video premieres, today, listeners are bombarded with potential hits through social media feeds, creating an always-on discovery environment that shapes artistic creation and audience reception.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Beyond how these artists gain recognition, this current wave is fascinating due to the diverse range of influences these artists bring to pop. For example, with Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album Short n' Sweet, she blends folk storytelling traditions with modern pop productions, creating a unique amalgamation that appeals to traditional pop fans and alternative audiences. Another example is Chappell Roan’s sudden surge in fame. Roan incorporates drag culture and queer aesthetics into her music and performances, bringing underground club culture to mainstream pop. Other artists like Ice Spice and PinkPantheress demonstrate how cross-cultural musical fusion can create new subgenres.
Perhaps most significantly, this era has transformed how music functions as a sense of identity. In the past, fan communities were separated by geographic boundaries to a large extent. Today, pop stars build global communities through social media. Fans don't just consume music; they participate in its success through the means of social media. In creating and sharing their content using the music, participating in trending challenges, and forming online fan communities, consumers' proximity to music is much closer than it has ever been before.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
While these women are bringing something exciting and new to the music industry, there is a double-edged sword to their viral success. TikTok has become a powerful launching pad for female pop artists but has created a paradoxical situation. Songs can achieve massive success more quickly than ever before, but the same accelerated cycle means they might fade just as fast. This cycle raises new questions about sustainability in this current pop scene; the pressure to consistently produce content that could go viral adds a new dimension to artistic creation.
As we see this renaissance in women-led pop music, the question remains: will this movement have the same lasting impact as its predecessors? What we're witnessing isn't just another wave of female artists – it's a fundamental shift in how pop music is produced, consumed, and integrated into cultural identity. While the accelerated pace of today's music industry presents new challenges, it also offers opportunities for artistic expression and connection with audiences. The true test will be whether these artists can translate viral moments into lasting cultural impact.
Strike Out,
Writer: Daniella Garcia-Novas
Editor: Layne Schulte
Tallahassee