TikTok Anoints KATSEYE as Global Artist of 2025
KATSEYE hit the bullseye on in 2025.
The short-form video platform today (Dec. 9) shares its year-in review, with KATSEYE crowned as TikTok’s Global Artist of the Year.
After debuting in 2024, the girl group “has become one of the biggest bands in the world,” says a rep for TikTok, during which time they captured over 30 billion views and 12 million creations using their music on the app.
All that viral activity has been converted into mainstream recognition, including two nominations for the Grammy Awards, including best new artist. Also, two KATSEYE singles impacted the Billboard Hot 100 this year, led by “Gabriela,” which peaked at No. 31.
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Consisting of members Megan, Yoonchae, Sophia, Manon, Lara and Daniela, KATSEYE has already been saluted by the streaming giant, with the 2025 TikTok Award for breakthrough artist of the year.
KATSEYE tops a global podium that’s completed by Alan Arrieta and ENHYPEN, respectively, while the likes of Bad Bunny, Stray Kids, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga appear in the TikTok year-end top 10.
Also catching fire on TikTok this year was “Pretty Little Baby,” by the late U.S. singer Connie Francis. “Pretty Little Baby” is named as top global song of the year, and the top song in the United States, after the global TikTok community used the tune over 28.4 million as the soundtrack for videos featuring family, pets, and more.
As it did the rounds in the first half of the year, “Pretty Little Baby” averaged 600,000 daily creates on TikTok, including posts from the likes of Kim Kardashian and North West and Kylie Jenner.
Originally released in 1962, the song got extra juice with a remix by German electronic music duo Lizot, and the original version was made available for the first time in French (as “La Seul Qui T’aime”), German (“Alle Jungen Leute”), Italian (“Baby”), Japanese (“Kawaī Beibi”), Spanish (“Linda Muchachita”) and Swedish (“Sjunger På Svenska”), joining a previously-release version in the Japanese language.
Francis joined TikTok in June, and died the following month, July 17, at the age of 87.
Other TikTok title holders this year include Taylor Swift (global most-saved artist), sombr (global most-saved track for “back to friends”), Tate McRae (global most saved album for So Close To What), Doechii (music trend of the year) and EJAE (songwriter of the year).
Despite intense competition from YouTube and Meta, TikTok remains a powerful and influential force in music and entertainment. By 2024, a third of U.S. adults used TikTok, while almost six in 10 teens (57%) say they use the platform daily and 16% say they’re on it “almost constantly,” according to Pew Research. People use TikTok mostly for pop culture and entertainment but also viral music and dances, humor and comedy, personal stories, fashion advice, product recommendations, politics and, for 5% of U.S. adults, news.
TikTok Year in Music for 2025:
Top 20 Songs GloballyPretty Little Baby – Connie FrancisHold My Hand – Jess GlynneRock That Body – Black Eyed PeasAzul – J BalvinDame Un Grrr – Fantomel x Kate LinnAPT. – ROSÉ & Bruno MarsTe Quería Ver – Alemán & Neton VegaStecu Stecu – Faris AdamAnxiety – DoechiiSailor Song – Gigi PerezShake It To The Max (FLY) (Remix) – MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillenbeng, Shenseeaocean eyes – Billie EilishNo One Noticed – The Mariasback to friends – sombrSparks – ColdplayThat’s So True – Gracie AbramsLet Down – RadioheadSuave – El AlfaMy Darling – ChellaWe Hug Now – Sydney RoseTop 10 Songs in USPretty Little Baby – Connie FrancisHold My Hand – Jess GlynneWHIM WHAMMIE – PLUTO & YKNIECERock That Body – Black Eyed PeasDoot Doot (6 7) – SkrillaWe Hug Now – Sydney RoseNo One Noticed – The MariasBunna Summa – BunnaBAnxiety – DoechiiLove Me Not – Ravyn LenaeTop 10 Artists GloballyKATSEYEAlan ArrietaENHYPENBad BunnyStray KidsTaylor SwiftLady GagaFuerza RegidaBillie EilishAriana GrandeGlobal Most-Saved Artist (using the Add to Music App feature on TikTok)Taylor SwiftGlobal Most-Saved Track (using the Add to Music App feature on TikTok)back to friends – sombrGlobal Most Saved Album (using the Add to Music App feature on TikTok)So Close To What – Tate McRaeMusic Trend of the YearAnxiety – Doechii
Songwriter of the YearEJAE
