HOW TIKTOK EDITS ARE RESHAPING THE APP - AND THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Story by Arden Vale

28/11/2025

TikTok edits are short, creatively edited videos that use transitions, effects, and music timing to create smooth, dramatic or aesthetic clips, often centred around celebrities or fictional characters.

Originating on the social media app ‘Instagram’, TikTok edits have become one of the platforms defining features. These short creatively videos use transitions, visual effects and precise music timing to turn clips into engaging, often mesmerising content. A significant portion centres on celebrities or fictional characters, giving fans a way to express admiration, tell mini-stories or highlight favourite moments from shows, films or music videos. On TikTok itself, edits have fuelled creativity and community. Fans remix, re-edit and build on each others content, creating a dynamic ecosystem where trends evolve rapidly. TikTok edits have also changed how the music industry works, with artists creating music to be put to use in the editing community. As of now, the editing community is more focused on Phonk artists (Phonk is a dark, lo-fi hip-hop with chopped up vocals and eerie beats) such as Ogryzek and others. Of course, high-profile artists like Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga also have their songs used in edits. TikTok editors often remix songs by blending two or more tracks together, creating mashups that fit the pacing and mood of their videos. They might layer vocals from one song over the beat of another or seamlessly transition between tracks to match visual edits. These creative remixes not only make videos more engaging but can also give older or lesser-known songs a viral second life, influencing trends and even music charts. Ultimately, TikTok edits have transformed both how we consume media and how media is promoted. Popular edits can rack up thousands of views daily, and when a new show or film drops - like Stranger Things Season 5 - the For You Page quickly fills with fan-made edits, remixes and creative clips. They blur the line between fan content and professional marketing, showing that in the age of TikTok, creativity isn’t just for creators - it can drive global trends, shape music charts, and redefine pop culture itself.