When Virality Becomes a Condition: The Power of Social Media Metrics in Music Contracts and its Impacts on Artistic Control
Over the years, the music industry has evolved to operate in a new way that balances creative expression and algorithmic validation. On a routine basis, posts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram contain audio clips that go viral or turn into dance challenges. Therefore, record labels have begun to capitalize on this public engagement and promotion by conditioning release decisions on whether artists can generate a trending moment online. While this practice reflects changing marketing...