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Virality may be what everyone's chasing these days, but a viral moment doesn't always guarantee you a secure spot in the pop culture zeitgeist. From TikTok trends that launch a song on the charts to marketing campaigns that break the internet, a viral moment is about more than just appearing on your FYP - it's about making a lasting impression. To celebrate our 11th year anniversary, we're highlighting 16 OnesToWatch Alumni who leveraged virality to compliment their dedication to the craft and captured the hearts of fans around the world, elevating them from FYP to VIP.

Charli XCX

Charli XCX has spent more than a decade operating at the intersection of mainstream pop and experimental music, often collapsing the distance between the two. She first broke through with “I Love It” in 2012 and quickly established herself as both a charting pop artist and a boundary-pushing songwriter for others. Across the 2010s, she developed a parallel lane of forward-thinking electronic and pop projects that expanded her influence beyond traditional pop structures. In 2024, her album BRAT marked a defining cultural moment, driving widespread online conversation and reinforcing her position at the center of contemporary pop discourse. The project signaled a new phase in her continued evolution as both an artist and a cultural reference point.

Addison Rae

Addison Rae represents one of the clearest examples of internet-native fame transitioning into a developing music career. Rising to prominence on TikTok in 2019, she entered music in the early 2020s with early releases that introduced her as an artist still in formation. Her 2024 single “Diet Pepsi” marked a breakthrough moment, drawing stronger critical attention and positioning her more firmly within the pop music conversation. The track signaled a shift in perception from digital personality to recording artist with a clearer sonic identity. Since then, she has continued working with established pop producers and performing at major festivals, steadily building toward a more defined debut-era rollout.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish emerged in 2016 with “Ocean Eyes,” a breakout that quickly developed into global stardom. Her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? reshaped mainstream pop with its stripped-back production and dark, intimate tone. She followed with Happier Than Ever in 2021, expanding her sonic palette while maintaining tight creative control over her sound and visual world. Across both projects, she has balanced massive commercial success with a distinct artistic identity that resists traditional pop framing. More recently, she has continued global touring and soundtrack work while remaining one of the most consistently visible figures in contemporary pop.

Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo broke through in 2021 with “drivers license,” a record-breaking debut that immediately established her as a defining voice in modern pop storytelling. Her debut album SOUR cemented her position through emotionally direct songwriting shaped by pop and rock influences. She followed with GUTS in 2023, expanding her sound into sharper, more guitar-driven territory while maintaining her diaristic approach. The album produced multiple standout singles and reinforced her global reach. Rodrigo has since completed major world tours and festival headline sets, solidifying her role as one of the most commercially and culturally influential young artists of her generation.

Kali Uchis

Kali Uchis has built a career defined by fluid movement across genres, languages, and cultural spaces. After early collaborations and projects in the mid-2010s, her debut album Isolation introduced a fully formed artistic identity blending R&B, pop, and Latin influences. She reached global mainstream success with “Telepatía” in 2021, which became a major streaming breakthrough across multiple markets. Her more recent albums, Red Moon in Venus and Orquídeas, expanded her multilingual catalog and reinforced her crossover presence. Uchis continues to operate as a globally oriented artist working across multiple sonic and cultural registers.

Gracie Abrams

Gracie Abrams first gained attention in 2019 through early releases that established her introspective songwriting style. Her early EPs built a dedicated audience before she reached wider visibility opening for Olivia Rodrigo and later Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Her debut album, Good Riddance, and follow-up, The Secret of Us, both performed strongly commercially, with the latter marking a clear step into mainstream pop recognition. Across her work, she has remained focused on emotionally direct, conversational songwriting. She continues to tour internationally while expanding her presence within contemporary pop’s confessional landscape.

Clairo

Clairo broke out in 2017 with “Pretty Girl,” a viral moment that helped define the bedroom pop movement. Her debut album Immunity marked a transition into more developed indie-pop production, followed by Sling in 2021, which leaned into analog instrumentation and restrained arrangements. She has since collaborated with artists including Lorde and Phoenix while refining a quieter, more intentional artistic direction. Her recent work continues to emphasize organic production and understated songwriting, supported by touring and a consistent critical presence within indie-pop spaces.

Lizzy McAlpine

Lizzy McAlpine gained early traction through TikTok before releasing her debut album Give Me a Minute, in 2020. Her breakout came with “ceilings” from Five Seconds Flat, which became a global streaming hit and significantly expanded her audience. Known for narrative-driven songwriting and emotional precision, she followed with Older, further developing her storytelling approach. McAlpine has since toured internationally and established herself as one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary indie-pop, rooted in detailed, reflective lyricism.

Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse transitioned from modeling and acting into music in the mid-2010s, releasing her debut album I Can’t Let Go in 2022. Her 2024 album, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, marked a wider breakout moment, earning increased critical attention and growing streaming success. Her music blends indie-pop with nostalgic and cinematic influences, shaping a distinct sonic identity. Alongside her music career, she continues to work in film and television. Her recent trajectory reflects a steady consolidation of her place as a recording artist beyond her earlier crossover profile.

2hollis

2hollis is part of a new generation of internet-native artists emerging from experimental electronic and hyperpop-adjacent spaces. His work blends fragmented electronic production with abstract, genreless structures released primarily through independent channels. Rather than following traditional industry pathways, his music circulates through digital communities and underground online networks. His recent output continues to build visibility within experimental pop and electronic scenes, and it positions him among artists who are reshaping how people create, distribute, and discover music in online-first environments.

Nessa Barrett

Nessa Barrett first rose to prominence on TikTok before launching her music career in 2020 with “Pain.” Her early EPs, including 2021’s pretty poison, introduced a darker pop direction that carried into her debut album, 2022’s young forever. Her music often explores themes of mental health, relationships, and emotional intensity, resonating strongly with a digital-native audience. She has maintained consistent streaming performance and continues to tour internationally. Barrett remains a key example of a social media–origin artist building a sustained presence within mainstream pop.

Daya

Daya broke out in 2015 with “Hide Away” and achieved global recognition with “Don’t Let Me Down” alongside The Chainsmokers, which earned a GRAMMY Award. Her early career was defined by polished, radio-driven pop success at a young age. In recent years, she has shifted toward a more independent creative direction, releasing music with greater artistic control and vocal focus. Her current work reflects a continued evolution away from early EDM-pop success toward a more self-defined pop identity.

Role Model

Role Model, the project of Tucker Pillsbury, began releasing music in the late 2010s and gained early traction with tracks such as “girl in new york.” His 2020 EP our little angel helped establish his confessional indie-pop style, followed by his debut album 2022’s Rx. His 2024 album Kansas Anymore expanded his audience and marked a further step in his artistic development. His music blends humor, vulnerability, and relationship narratives and continues to build momentum through touring and a steadily growing listener base.

Alexander 23

Alexander 23 first emerged as a songwriter and producer before launching his solo career with “Dirty AF1s” in 2019. He has written and produced for artists including Olivia Rodrigo and Tate McRae while maintaining his own catalog as a solo artist. His debut album, Aftershock, established his introspective pop style, defined by clean production and emotionally direct songwriting. He continues to balance solo work with behind-the-scenes collaborations, maintaining a dual presence in contemporary pop music.

Jeremy Zucker

Jeremy Zucker broke through in 2018 with “comethru,” a defining track of the bedroom pop era. His debut album, love is not dying, and subsequent releases solidified his place within indie-pop. Known for minimalist production and diaristic songwriting, he frequently collaborates with Chelsea Cutler across multiple projects. His recent work continues to explore relationships and emotional processing, supported by consistent touring and a stable streaming audience built from his early breakout success.

Charlie Puth

Charlie Puth broke into mainstream pop with “See You Again” in 2015, one of the most commercially successful singles of the decade. His debut album, 2016’s Nine Track Mind, established him on pop radio, followed by 2018’s Voicenotes, which highlighted his songwriting and production strengths. His 2022 self-titled album leaned into a more self-produced and transparent creative process shaped by social media-era songwriting. He continues to operate as both a pop artist and producer, maintaining a highly visible presence in music creation and online education spaces.