TikTokTikTok's London headquarters was abuzz on Tuesday as superstar artists and songwriters JADE (@jadethirlwall) and Kamille (@kamilleofficial) joined TikTok with leading industry bodies, PRS for Music & The Ivors Academy at the inaugural TikTok For Songwriters event.
The event highlighted TikTok's role as a global stage for songwriters, where over one billion users reimagine, reinterpret, and celebrate music in creative ways. Ole Obermann, Global Head of Music Business Development at TikTok, set the tone alongside Michelle Escoffery, award-winning songwriter and President of PRS Members’ Council.
Ole Obermann commented: ''We see songs generating the same level of excitement and interest as recordings. On TikTok, songs can be sung by anyone, and reinterpreted, reimagined and shared, which leads to popularity and success both on- and off the platform. Today is about celebrating the craft of songwriting, and working together with our industry partners - PRS for Music and The Ivors Academy - to elevate the careers of songwriters."
JADE shared how TikTok has redefined the relationship between artists and their audience. “You have to find what you genuinely love about the app. For me, TikTok lets fans see every aspect of who I am. When I’m not feeling creative, I can make a TikTok of me making a Sunday roast - and that might be what goes viral,” she said.
JADE also emphasised how fan interactions influence her work: “Sometimes the fans steer my song choices or creative direction because I’m watching what they like and don’t like. A fan might post a video of me singing - they’re doing the promo for me. It’s the best thing ever seeing people connect with your music.”
Kamille, a multi-GRAMMY, Ivor Novello Award and BRIT-winning songwriter described by JADE as "the fifth member of Little Mix" due to writing over 30 songs for the group including ‘Shout Out To My Ex’, ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Confetti', echoed this, highlighting the value of listening to fans. “Anyone on TikTok should soak it in - watch what people are saying, check the vibes. It helps me understand how people feel, and that inspires my songwriting.”
Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, said, “Songwriting is the foundation of everything in music, and today platforms like TikTok offer valuable opportunities for songwriters to reach wider audiences and develop their careers. This event has provided an important moment to help empower songwriters with the knowledge to navigate and thrive in a fast-evolving digital landscape.”
Ella Kirby, Head of Music Publishing Licensing & Partnerships, EMEA at TikTok, emphasised TikTok’s unique ability to connect fans and artists authentically. “TikTok allows fans to engage in the moment in an authentic way, inspiring them to explore and deepen their love for music and the creators behind it. That’s the driving purpose of our new Behind The Song search hub. A huge thanks to PRS, The Ivors Academy, JADE, Kamille, and my team for bringing this event to life.”
Michelle Escoffery, President of the PRS Members’ Council, said, “As songwriters and composers, we may use, or want to use, digital service providers to help develop our music careers, but we may not always know how to navigate these platforms effectively or use techniques to make them work best for us. By partnering with the experts, we are providing direct learning opportunities for music creators, and unique experiences to connect and feel empowered to take their careers to the next level.”
The event also launched the #BehindTheSong LIVE series, kicking off on November 27 with Grammy-nominated songwriter RuthAnne (@thisisruthanne). RuthAnne will host a songwriting masterclass, sharing tips, stories, and insights from her 12-billion-stream career. "Songwriters are the foundation upon which the whole music industry is built," said RuthAnne. “I’m excited to pass on my best songwriting secrets, tips for writing hits, and music industry advice. It’s time to give fans an all-access pass behind the songs.”
PRS for Music will also contribute with ‘Get That Bag: Royalties for Songwriters’, a TikTok LIVE session simplifying the often-complex world of royalties, rights, and payments, ensuring creators maximise their earnings.
Since its launch in April 2023, the hub has become a vibrant destination for music lovers, amassing nearly 400,000 creator videos and showcasing talents like Fraser T Smith, Kamille, FINNEAS, Nile Rodgers and Amy Allen. It’s become a go-to destination for music lovers eager to discover the magic behind their favourite tracks, straight from the minds that created them. As JADE put it, “It’s the most flattering thing in the world to see fans make videos to your songs.”
For songwriters, TikTok isn’t just a promotional tool - it’s a space where creativity thrives and fans become co-creators in the music-making journey.
New to TikTok and want to explore the #BehindTheSong series? Getting involved is easy—download the app for free from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon.
