How TikTok and Instagram Can Launch Your Music Career

It used to take years of gigs, radio plugs, and lucky breaks to get noticed in the music industry. Today, all it takes is 15 seconds on TikTok.

No kidding — one clip, one trending sound, one viral dance can explode your music to a global audience. You don’t need a big label or a giant marketing budget. What you do need is a clear understanding of how User-Generated Content (UGC) works, and how you can use it — legally and creatively — to your advantage.

Welcome to the new era of music discovery

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The Day Everything Changed

Picture this: It’s just another evening. You post a short beat you’ve been working on to Instagram Reels. The next morning, you wake up to hundreds of notifications. A dancer with 2 million followers has used your track for a slick routine. That video is now everywhere. Soon, it’s part of a trend. Brands start using it, influencers remix it, and overnight, you’re “the sound of the week.”

This is not a fantasy. It’s exactly how artists like Loren Gray, JVKE, Tai Verdes, and Doja Cat got their big breaks. TikTok and Instagram Reels are not just platforms anymore — they’re career launchpads.

Explore more about how A3 Tunes empowers artists in the social media age.

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What is UGC or User-Generated Content

UGC is any form of content — videos, stories, remixes, memes — created by users of a platform that features your music.

Some typical examples include:

• A TikTok dance challenge set to your latest release.
• A travel vlog on Instagram using your song as background music.
• Mashups, sped-up edits, or slowed-down versions of your track in viral trends.
• A fashion influencer lip-syncing to your lyrics.
• Even memes that remix your vocals with cat videos.

These are called “derivative works” — the creators build something new using your original song as the base.

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How Does Your Music End Up on TikTok or Instagram?

You don’t upload directly to these platforms. Instead, you use a music distributor — like A3 Tunes — and opt in to social media delivery.

This means you’re giving permission for platforms like TikTok and Instagram to:

• Add your song to their music library
• Let users search, select, and feature your track in their videos
• Enable remixing, editing, and sharing across their networks

Once it is in the system, anyone — from your cousin to a celebrity influencer — can use your music in their content.

Check out our features for social media delivery options.

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The Legal Stuff

Here’s where it gets real. When you opt-in for UGC usage, you’re essentially granting a blanket license to the platform and its users to use your song in any creative way they choose. You’re saying: “Here’s my music. Play with it.”

To make this possible, you must waive what’s called your “Moral Rights” (or droit moral).

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What are Moral Rights?

These are the rights that protect your personal connection to your work. They include:

• The right to be credited as the creator
• The right to object to modifications that distort your music or harm your reputation

In the world of UGC, these rights would be impossible to enforce. TikTok users might speed up your vocals, remix your beat, or pair your lyrics with a prank video — and you wouldn’t be able to veto it.

So, by opting in, you legally allow this. You waive your moral rights only in the context of UGC. This waiver is the key that opens the door to virality.

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Why Give Up That Control?

Good question. Here’s why:

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Massive Reach

TikTok alone has over 1 billion monthly users. Instagram Reels is not far behind. One user-generated video featuring your song can get millions of views — and it doesn’t stop there. When your song becomes a trend, hundreds or thousands of other creators use it, multiplying your exposure.

Ritviz gained major traction with his song “Udd Gaye”, which blew up after being featured in AIB’s YouTube On Stage event. The song became a viral soundtrack for hundreds of Instagram stories and fan-made dance videos. Ritviz’s unique blend of classical Indian music with electronic beats made him a darling of the internet generation. His music’s aesthetic and his consistent Instagram presence have helped him build a cult following.

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Yashraj Mukhate

A former sound engineer, Yashraj shot to fame by turning viral dialogues and memes into catchy musical remixes. His breakout was the “Rasode Mein Kaun Tha” remix from the TV show Saath Nibhana Saathiya. The video exploded on Instagram and YouTube, leading to brand deals, media coverage, and collaborations with mainstream artists and actors.

These are couple of examples where UGC culture and short-form content converted into a full-fledged music career.

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New Income Streams

Even if you waive moral rights, you don’t waive payment. These platforms track song usage and pay royalties — usually collected by your distributor. So, the more your song gets used, the more you earn.

See pricing and payout details here.

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Some Examples

Yashraj Mukhate – Remix King Turned Creator-Entrepreneur
He earns via brand deals. After going viral, brands like Netflix, Cred, and Bumble collaborated with him to create branded content. His quirky remixes and original songs get millions of views, generating ad revenue. He also performs custom sets at private and virtual events. TV shows, OTT platforms, and creators license his viral audio.

Anuv Jain – Heartfelt Indie Pop. Big streaming payoffs.
He earns via Spotify/YouTube royalties: His tracks like “Baarishein” consistently trend on romantic playlists, driving repeat listening. Also has built a loyal fanbase that pays to attend his intimate gigs across India. Uses Instagram to promote releases and sell out concerts, keeping promotion in-house.

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The Trade-Off That Works In Your Favor

Let’s sum it up. You give platforms the right to remix and reuse your song however they want.

In return:

• Your song gets discovered
• You earn royalties
• You build a fanbase
• You get opportunities for collaborations, gigs, record deals, brand partnerships

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Real-World Wins: Artists Who Went Big via UGC

Let’s look at a few artists whose careers took off thanks to UGC magic.

🎤 Tai Verdes – “Stuck in the Middle”
Tai was working at Verizon when he dropped this song. A few TikTok users used it in their videos, and it blew up. Millions of views, Spotify streams through the roof, and suddenly, Tai was a rising star.

🎤 JVKE – “This is What Falling in Love Feels Like”
He produced and released the song entirely at home. It took one viral video using the track to make it a TikTok anthem. JVKE now boasts millions of followers, charting songs, and major label attention.

🎤 Curtis Waters – “Stunnin’”
A beat made in his bedroom. Uploaded to TikTok. Used by influencers. Instantly viral. “Stunnin’” hit over 100 million streams and made Curtis a Gen Z icon overnight.

🎤 Olivia Rodrigo – “Drivers License”
Though not unknown, Olivia’s song exploded on TikTok thanks to fan-made videos, reaction clips, and heartbreak montages. It wasn’t just a debut single — it became a cultural moment, with UGC driving the emotion behind it.

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But What If My Music Gets Used in a Meme or Weird Video?

That’s the risk, but also the charm.

UGC thrives on unpredictability. Your soulful track might end up in a cat video. Or a parody clip. Or even a cooking hack.

But guess what? That exposure is worth more than a perfect image. Every meme, every trend, every share takes your music to someone new. And when the song hits — they look you up.

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How to Make UGC Work for You

Here’s how to turn this into a strategic advantage:

• Make UGC-Friendly Music
  Short hooks, catchy beats, emotional lyrics, or relatable moments work best. Think loops, drops, or punchlines people can latch onto.
• Start the Trend Yourself
  Don’t wait. Create your own Reel or TikTok with your song. Add a dance, a mood, a quote — and invite others to try it.
• Engage With Creators
  If someone uses your song, comment, share, duet. The more you engage, the more your music stays alive on the platform.
• Collaborate With Influencers
  Micro-influencers with niche audiences can help your track find the right ears. A dance creator. A beauty vlogger. A travel blogger. Match the mood of your music with their content.

For additional guidance, contact the A3 Tunes team.

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What Not to Do

• Don’t panic if someone uses your song in an unexpected way
• Don’t try to control every use (you legally can’t)
• Don’t ignore the power of short-form platforms

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Embrace the New Music Economy

Social media isn’t just for selfies and memes anymore — it’s a full-blown music industry machine and UGC is the fuel. Yes, you’ll give up some control. But in return, you unlock the greatest amplifier any artist has ever had. Whether you’re indie or signed, bedroom producer or seasoned performer, UGC platforms like TikTok and Instagram can be your launchpad. So, get your music distributed, opt in to social platforms.

Let the community create. And who knows? The next viral sound could be yours.

For more creator success strategies, visit our blog.

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TL; DR:

UGC = User-created content using your music (videos, memes, dances)
Distributors help you get your song into TikTok/Instagram libraries
You waive “moral rights” to allow free creative use of your song
In return: exposure + royalties + career growth
Many artists (Yashraj Mukate, Anuv Jain, Olivia Rodrigo) made it big this way
Embrace the chaos — it’s where the magic happens

If you’re an artist looking to get started with music distribution to social platforms, A3 Tunes can help you reach the world — 15 seconds at a time.