Since its inception in 2018, TikTok has quickly become a marketing tool for artists as the application’s users are discovering new music through the platform. While some artists have embraced TikTok, and many have launched their careers through the app, others dislike the pressure they feel to create “viral moments” with their music.
Recently, several artists, including Halsey and Trevor Daniel, have shared their frustrations over their record labels’ refusal to release new music without sparking a trend with their songs on the platform.
Now, Randy Houser says he is “boycotting” TikTok.
During a recent interview with Taste of Country Nights’ Evan Paul, Houser slammed the popular video platform, admitting it’s not for him.
“They’re always trying to slide in a TikTok on me,” Houser explained to Paul. “They’ll just have their phone out and just like try to slide in my DMs or something and I’m just like ‘Nope.’ It’s more fun to tell them no.”
“I’m boycotting that sh-t, I’m like I ain’t doing it,” Houser added.
The “Note To Self” singer went on to share that while he does “like making movies,” he feels that “there’s enough on [artists’] plates” with writing and recording music that they shouldn’t have to feel pressured into becoming a “TikTok star for any of that to count.”
“That’s a bunch of s–t you’re getting sold because your label is too lazy to make you a star or get your music done,” Houser shared in frustration. ”They’re trying to take the easy way out and press you to do something else. Sorry.”
While he recognizes that people are using TikTok to discover music, Houser said he’s just not into it.
“I understand that’s the way of the future and all that,” Houser admitted. “But that ain’t music. I like music.”
Houser has never shied away from his disdain of TikTok and has even shared several videos on the social media platform criticizing the popular video sharing service.
In one video, a cameraman rang Houser’s doorbell, to ask the country singer if he was ready to shoot some TikToks, to which he replied “never gonna happen” and shut the door.
@realrandyhouser Never gonna happen! #RandyHouser #CountryMusic #notetoself
Another video shows Houser reacting to the situation Halsey encountered with her label earlier this year, where her team reportedly wouldn’t allow her to release a song without a “viral moment” on TikTok.
“Yeah, I’m not f–king doing that,” Houser said in agreement with Halsey, who believes as an artist you shouldn’t have to have a viral video to release new music.
@realrandyhouser #stitch with @halsey I’m not doing it either… #randyhouser #countrymusic #halsey
Despite not wanting to join in on the TikTok trend, the chart-topping hitmaker recently shared a clip promoting his new single “Workin’ Man,” which was co-written by Houser alongside Randy Montana.
In the clip, a person off-camera asked Houser, who is seen digging in his backyard, if he is ready to make some TikToks, to which he replied, “Hell no, I’m working man.”
The video was clearly a funny way for Houser to dis the platform while also promoting his new single.
@realrandyhouser I’m Workin’ Man! #RandyHouser #WorkinMan #newmusic
Houser will release his sixth studio album, Note To Self, on November 11 via Magnolia Music Group. The project, produced by Houser and Blake Chancey, will feature 10-tracks all co-written by Houser.
In addition to his new album and a relentless touring schedule, Houser recently landed on-screen roles in Martin Scorses’s upcoming film, Killers Of The Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and more. He will also appear in the inspiring, The Hill, starring Dennis Quaid.
