From the beginning of recorded music there was essentially a check list to follow in order to become a star. First would be to record demos to shop around to record labels and sometimes a band or artist would be lucky enough to be part of a showcase where the labels would actually come see them perform. Checking off those steps was pretty much the only way an artist could hear their music play on the radio.
With all of the advances in technology over the last say 20 years the path to stardom has completely changed the way the world discovers the next big thing. Soundcloud, YouTube, and TikTok are some of the new avenues that have made countless stars out of the singer next door. Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Troye Sivan are some major stars that were discovered from their videos on YouTube. Shawn Mendes found fame through his channel on Vine and fellow pop star Halsey was discovered on Tumblr. For the older section reading this article, Calvin Harris was discovered on MySpace. Hi Tom!
TikTok is the latest platform to skyrocket an artist to the next level and the growing list is quite impressive. Lil NasX, Steve Lacy, Jack Harlow, and Måneskin all can attest to the power that the controversial social media site has over the pulse of the music industry. Many upcoming artist will post directly to the site before releasing a song on a streaming service in hopes that their music finds an audience and the post goes viral. Newcomer Emmy Meli is the latest singer looking to build off their TikTok fame.
The California based singer has amassed over 36 million views of an at the time unreleased song on the site. The snippet of the song would change not only her life forever but also help it become one of the most listened to songs in 2021 and 2022. The success of “I Am Woman” has led the former golf club employee to the release of her debut EP Hello Stranger.
To understand the vibe of Meli’s music one has to understand the influences that have groomed her for this moment. Her parents raised her on classic soul and jazz female singers from the 60s and 70s like Minnie Ripperton, Dinah Washington, and the Supremes. It was British pop-star Amy Winehouse that showed her that you could be successful in mainstream music today with an authentic soulful voice.
Latest single “Silence” puts those influences on display. The song captures the struggles many have with their mental health journey and battling the wearying anxiety that many face on a daily basis. In a recent interview with Broadway World Emmy shared
“Silence was written during one of the loudest parts of my life, internally and externally. Anxiety can be deafeningly loud, never-ending, and incessant. When mine won’t turn off, all I can do is sing. This song helped me find my silence, and I hope it helps you find yours too.”
Hello Stranger will undoubtably push Emmy to forefront for Best New Artist at next years Grammy Awards and the EP’s first single “Breakthrough” could easily battle Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” for catchiest song of the year. The snappy breakup anthem puts Emmy’s powerful vocals on display and perfectly shows how much of an influence that Winehouse has been to her.
“Happy Ending” is one for the fellas who love to slide into a girls DMs thinking that’s the best way to approach someone. The song advises all of the Chad’s out there to just take their L, move on and understand that, “You’re not getting their happy ending.” Album closer, “Dear Little Me” serves as letter to a younger Emmy telling her proud she would be if she could see what they have grown up to be and how unimportant the things that are bothering her at her young age are actually. The song reveals the value in embracing yourself for who you are and not trying to manifest what you believe the perfect you is.
Emmy Meli is currently on tour as the supporting act for Alexander Stewart and can be seen in Nashville on May 11 at Exit/In. @emmymelimusic
Steven McCash is the Lead Music Writer and Utility Man for SoBros Network. Steven is the host of the ‘Drinking With…’ podcast, and the pioneer of New Music Friday, highlighting each week’s new releases in the world of music in addition to the occasional live show review. He also pitches in as a Nashville lifestyle writer and football analyst (hence the ‘Utility Man’ title). Follow on Twitter: @MC_Cash75
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