From Covers to Charts: Cooper Alan’s TikTok Revolution
Cooper Alan, the 29-year-old country music sensation from North Carolina, has transformed the traditional path of aspiring musicians with the help of TikTok. While many artists follow a well-trodden route of record deals and radio play, Alan’s ascent showcases the wild, untamed power of social media. After graduating from the University of North Carolina in 2018, he aimed for Nashville, the holy grail for country artists. However, it was the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that catapulted him into the limelight. As TikTok surged in popularity, Alan embraced its potential, finding viral success with his track “New Normal.” This song alone garnered a staggering 75,000 Spotify streams on its release day—a far cry from the mere 5,000 he had previously achieved across all his original work.
Alan candidly admits that TikTok has been “everything” for his career, allowing him to connect with fans and share his authentic self without the constraints of traditional music industry gatekeeping. “Before 2020, reaching an audience felt like an uphill battle,” he explains, “but TikTok leveled the playing field.” This democratization of music is not unique to Alan; other artists like Lil Nas X and Olivia Rodrigo have similarly leveraged social media to break through, illustrating a broader trend where platforms like TikTok redefine how music is consumed and promoted.
In June 2021, Alan took his entrepreneurial spirit a step further by launching his own record label, Cooped Up Records. This move not only reflects his desire for creative freedom but also aligns with a growing trend among artists seeking to retain control over their music and brand. As he states, “A record deal’s great, but you don’t need one.” This sentiment echoes the experiences of artists like Chance the Rapper and Macklemore, who have thrived independently, proving that the traditional music industry model is evolving.
Moreover, Alan’s commitment to community service shines through his aspirations to establish a foundation to give back, reminding us that even as he rises to fame, he remains grounded and focused on making a difference. In a world where authenticity often feels like a rare commodity, Cooper Alan’s story is a refreshing reminder of the power of being true to oneself, using platforms like TikTok not just to launch a career but to connect genuinely with an audience.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Billboard, NPR
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