Halsey exposes her label for not letting her release new music without going "fake" viral on TikTok

Publish date: Tuesday, 24 May 2022, 12:06PM

Has the music industry gone too far in relying on TikTok for virality?

Halsey exposed her record label Capitol Records yesterday (23rd May 2022) on TikTok claiming that they are holding her new song hostage. She then shared more thoughts on Twitter as well as going live on Instagram, the tea is HOT!

She revealed, "my record company is saying that I can't release it unless they can fake a viral moment on TikTok." Halsey also pulled some receipts, adding that she's been "in this industry eight years," "sold over 165 million records," and "deserves better."

@halsey
I’m tired
♬ original sound - Halsey

I’ve been minding my own business on tour taking care of my baby. Four albums deep. Coasting. I’m way too established to stir something like this up for no reason or resort to this as a marketing tactic but now I’m in too deep so there’s no going back 🤷🏻‍♀️
— h (@halsey) May 23, 2022

Halsey's experience confirms that yes the music industry relies on TikTok more than ever in marketing songs to become viral 'organically'. But it punishes the artists and their craft in the process.

With the frustration Halsey shared on multiple platforms, different kinds of comments flooded in. Some were in support for her claims and others were skeptical this wasn't just another tactical marketing video for her unreleased song.

last time halsey randomly dropped a song it went diamond so i think the label not letting her drop what she wants to is beyond stupid like okay
— dre🩸 (@aureumnightmare) May 22, 2022

Halsey and her label, Capitol, talked after her initial TikTok but it wasn't in the way we hoped...

Talked to my label tonight after my tiktok tantrum. They said “wow the tiktok is going really strong!” I was like ok cool so can I release my song now? They said “we’ll see!” 🙃 tell me again how I’m making this up.
— h (@halsey) May 23, 2022

She then went on to answer questions from fans who were trying to help.

never been stopped from release like this. It almost happened with nightmare. But they blocked 3am as a single as well and the manic era got cut short https://t.co/R0DFfrAGez
— h (@halsey) May 23, 2022

honestly idk the tiktok is already viral + I still don’t have a release date. I would say just do what you guys normally are amazing at doing when I announce a song (under better circumstances). They haven’t given me a date and I wanna release it ASAP so that’s really the hold up https://t.co/fu2GfCEBSI
— h (@halsey) May 23, 2022