October 9, 2025
by Parasition x Hugo
THIS WEEK’S TREND RADAR
Hugo’s been digging through the social media chaos all week. These are the gems that surfaced.
GLOBAL TIKTOK TREND (SOUND) OF THE WEEK
600k+ likes
NOW OR NEVER | Tkandz & CXSPER
Genre: Hip hop
Video style: Random / edits
This breakout track from a rising artist has quickly taken over feeds. Not through a complex trend, but because people genuinely vibe with the song. Its smooth, restrained beat never overpowers the video, letting captions and the clips shine.
The track taps into a cool, drill-inspired energy that gives any clip a stylish edge while staying laid-back enough to fit a wide range of content. It’s the kind of sound that creators naturally gravitate toward, not because of a set format, but because it just works.
Takeaways
— Sometimes a great song alone can fuel a wave, no trend needed
— Understated beats make videos feel current without overpowering them
LOCAL TIKTOK TREND (SOUND) OF THE WEEK
Australia
300k+ likes
Breakin’ Dishes | Ely Oaks
Genre: EDM
Video style: Random
This remix of Rihanna’s classic track is making serious waves, especially among women leaning into bold, boss energy. The original song’s familiarity instantly hooks viewers, while the techno-infused twist gives it a sharper beat and faster tempo that feels built for TikTok’s pace.
The high-energy production makes it easy to craft striking, dynamic videos that stand out in fast-moving feeds. It’s a perfect example of how remixing a well-known hit can breathe new life into it, turning nostalgia into virality.
Takeaways
— Familiar tracks grab attention fast, especially when remixed with a modern edge
— High-tempo sounds amplify strong energy and make videos feel instantly dynamic
Hugo spotlight
Hugo’s waitlist is open, and this is your chance to get in ahead of the crowd.
Rather than digging through hashtags or endless captions, Hugo tracks over 100,000 videos every day to uncover emerging trends the moment they break. He links them to the right songs and surfaces the strategies you need to ride the wave early.
Whether it’s picking the perfect sound, nailing timing, or shaping creative direction, Hugo translates real data into actionable music marketing moves.
Join the waitlist: https://hugo.love/
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOCIAL MEDIA:
Spotify moves against AI-generated music
Spotify just introduced a new policy targeting spammy and AI-generated tracks, while encouraging artists to disclose when AI tools are used. At the same time, CEO Daniel Ek is moving into an Executive Chairman role as two co-executives take over. The update is a blow for many AI musicians, signaling tighter control and higher transparency standards.
For traditional music marketers, this shift highlights the growing importance of branding and narrative to stand out in a crowded, AI-saturated space. And it may influence both algorithmic visibility and audience trust moving forward.
DATA | THE WORLD OF MUSIC QUANTIFIED
Spotify’s weekly global top 5 songs
— #1. Golden | KPop Demon Hunters Cast // 49 m weekly streams
— #2. back to friends | sombr // 38 m weekly streams
— #3. Ordinary | Alex Warren // 32 m weekly streams
— #4. Man I Need | Olivia Dean // 31 m weekly streams
— #5. TIT FOR TAT | Tate McRae // 27 m weekly streams
Spotify’s weekly global top 10 artists
— #1. Bad Bunny // Latin trap
— #2. Taylor Swift // Pop
— #3. Drake // Pop
— #4. The Weeknd // Alternative R&B
— #5. Sabrina Carpenter // Pop
— #6. KPop Demon Hunters Cast // KPop
— #7. Justin Bieber // Pop
— #8. Fuerza Regida // Regional Mexican
— #9. Billie Eilish // Alternative Pop
— #10. Ariana Grande // Pop
TIKTOK VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
”Put that phone down and get back to work”
Views: 9,400,000 | Likes: 1,700,000
This clip proves that sometimes, the most unexpected moments hit the hardest. A guy casually sitting in bed telling viewers to “put that phone down and get back to work” has become one of the week’s most shared videos. Not because of fancy edits or a cool concept, but because of its raw, offbeat delivery.
— #1. Relatability. Millions watch TikTok while procrastinating, so the call-out lands instantly and personally.
— #2. Anti-polish stands out. The bad lighting and low production ironically make it feel more real, cutting through overly curated feeds.
— #3. Surprise factor. The abrupt, no-context delivery catches viewers off guard, making it both funny and memorable.
— #4. Highly shareable. It’s the perfect clip to send to friends or coworkers: quick, punchy, and instantly understood.
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MUSIC EVENT OF THE WEEK:
Knockout Outdoor Festival, Sydney
Picture from Knockout Outdoor Festival
Knockout Outdoor Festival takes over Sydney on October 12, bringing together tens of thousands of dance music fans. It’s Australia’s largest electronic event, and it’s known for its great sound, intense light shows, and festival-scale staging. The lineup leans heavily into hard dance and techno, creating a high-octane atmosphere that feels more like a rave mega-show than a typical festival.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Turn longer stories into series
If you’ve got a strong idea or story, don’t cram it into one long clip. Break it into a short, punchy series instead. Multi-part formats give each post room to breathe, keep viewers coming back, and signal to the algorithm that your content drives repeat engagement.
Spreading the concept across several videos also increases your chances of catching a viral wave; sometimes it’s just about giving luck more shots. This works especially well for storytelling, behind-the-scenes moments, or performances, turning one idea into a sustained campaign instead of a single drop.
PARASITION: Campaign breakdown
38k+ likes
Abba-Dabba-Do | Per Sonerud
Genre: Pop
Video style: Random
This brings playful pop energy that feels light, catchy, and perfectly suited for fun, everyday scenarios. Its upbeat rhythm makes it easy to build simple but engaging videos around.
The featured creator nailed the execution with clean, well-lit framing and a smart use of angle that made the video visually interesting. A subtle movement in the opening seconds added life to the shot, and the caption hit that sweet spot of being both timely and relatable.
Campaign learnings
— Supplying creators with fresh, relevant topic ideas can lead to significantly higher view counts
— Small opening movements help videos stand out before the beat even drops
ROUND-UP
— Understated beats can carry a wave. NOW OR NEVER proves that sometimes, the track itself is the trend. Its cool, drill-tinged beat gives clips a stylish edge without overpowering them, showing that creators will naturally gravitate toward sounds that just work.
— Remixes turn nostalgia into fuel. Ely Oaks’ Breakin’ Dishes is tearing through Australian feeds by revamping a Rihanna classic with a sharp techno twist. Familiar hooks paired with modern production grab attention fast and power bold, high-energy edits.
— Raw moments still win. A chill “get back to work” call-out became one of the most shared TikToks of the week. Relatability, surprise, and low production made it pop against all the other hyper-polished, high-dopamine content.
— Campaign simplicity can pay off. Our Abba-Dabba-Do push showed that strong lighting, small movements, and well-timed captions can outperform complex concepts, especially when creators tap into relevant, timely ideas.
— Spotify moves against AI-generated music. Spotify’s new AI disclosure policy signals a tighter grip on how music is distributed and marketed. For artists and marketers, storytelling and authenticity are becoming even more critical to stand out.
— Cut long stories into multiple videos. It keeps viewers coming back, boosts algorithmic signals, and gives you multiple shots at landing a viral moment.
That’s all we’ve got time for today. Thanks for stickin’ around :)
If you want to take your music marketing to the next level — check out Hugo.
