TikTok’s new platform will pay musicians

China – Social media company TikTok is responding to demands to reform the music streaming industry. Its new marketing and distribution platform, SoundOn, will pay musicians 100% of the royalties generated by their songs.

Taking aim at the stark disparities that have developed on other streaming platforms, SoundOn will allow creators to be paid monthly while retaining complete ownership of their music. To help emerging musicians cut through the noise, the platform will also provide data analytic tools, marketing assistance and promotional help. SoundOn users will also be able to share music onto other streaming platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Music, but they will only be able to keep 90% of the royalties from competitor services.

As TikTok strives to cement its status as one of the world's most popular music discovery tools, its experimental compensation programmes echo those we have previously seen emerge within Alternet Economies. As the battle to reform music streaming gains traction, TikTok is appealing to the creators demanding greater control and ownership of their music.