The rise of Addison Raewho has almost 90 million followers in Tiktokhe turned this month with the launch of his First complete album, Addison. After a musical debut that failed to conquer the public, the artist now consolidates as A figure of Popchallenging the expectations that usually surround the stars born in social networks.
According to The New YorkerRAE transformed his digital celebrity image into an artistic proposal that goes beyond viralmarking a milestone in the relationship between Digital Culture and Popular Music.
Addison Rae started in Tiktok in 2019while living in Baton Rouge and studied journalism at Louisiana State University. His presence on the platform stood out for a contagious energy and a naturalness that quickly attracted millions.
It competed in dance From adolescence and, in a short time, his charisma in front of the camera – he was already imitating movie scenes or dancing with artists such as Jason Derulo– allowed him to build a Mass audience. Currently, he is the fifth person most followed in Tiktok worldwide, according to The New Yorker.
RAE’s popularity was based on an image of closeness and normalityattributes especially valued by the young public. Its attractiveness, according to The New Yorkerresides in transmit tranquility and optimismeven in trivial situations, such as trying a lip brightness or recording a dance with your mother. In the 2025 culture, the medium emphasizes that this ephemeral well -being became a powerful currency.
In 2021, Addison Rae launched its simple debut, Obsseteda piece of electro-pop produced by Benny Blanco. The song explores Self -confidence and narcissism with a recreational tonebut he did not have the expected impact despite his massive followers base.
“People were not prepared to receive that, or me as an artist, which is completely understandable,” RAE said in an interview cited by The New Yorker.
The idea that a Tiktok figure could succeed in the musical lists seemed distant. The media details that the cold reception of the song reflected the skepticism towards the talents arising from digital platforms. The excess vocal processing accentuated a perception of lack of authenticity. However, the experience marked A turning point: RAE reversed his approach and looked for new creative alliances to gain credibility.
The most relevant change in his musical career came with the collaboration with Charli XCXone of the central figures of Hyperpop. In 2023, Charli participated in 2 die 4EP issue Ar RAE. With only two minutes, the song addresses Desire and immediacy With a casual style.
This collaboration not only contributed sophistication, but also approached RAE to a more demanding audience and an aesthetic associated with the “cool”, usually distant from Tiktok’s stars. In 2024, both artists agreed again in the remix of Von Dutchproduced by Ag cook. The new version, more ethereal, allowed Rae Explore unusual vocal recordsas a sustained sharp that, according to The New Yorkercould be confused with a synthesizer.
The Rae-Charli duo generated a Powerful scenic tension: RAE’s “good girl” contrasts with Charli’s challenging attitude, capturing the interest of critics and the public. These collaborations were key for RAE to begin to be perceived as a Genuine artist Within contemporary pop.
According to The New Yorkerthe album Addison It is a collection of dance-pop songs With sensual dyes and sophisticated production. Although Rae’s voice is still prosecuted, the album stands out for balancing the playful with the introspective. The tension revolves around RAE’s wishes and how he tries to satisfy them, A constant in pop tradition.
One of the most commented issues is Diet Pepsico -written with Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärdwhich refers so much to the sound of Teenage Dream of Katy Perry as to the melancholy of Born to die of King’s wool.
In Money is EverythingRAE explicitly alludes to iconic figures: “Please, DJ, put Madonna / I want to mess up with wool / put myself with Gaga.” The New Yorker states that these mentions not only pay tribute, they position RAE in the genealogy of Pop divas.
Despite his accessible image, Addison Rae starred controversial moments. One of the most notorious was the publication of a photo with a white bikini with the words “Father”, “Son” and “Holy Spirit”, which generated criticism and accusations of blasphemy. The suit, designed by Prayinghe was eliminated from his networks.
According to The New YorkerRAE opted for Delete the image Not being able to integrate that type of irony into their personal brand, defined by sincerity.
This episode reflects the tensions faced by digital celebrities to the balance authenticity and public expectationsespecially with global and diverse audiences.
The launch of Addison It generated diverse reactions between followers and specialized criticism. The mention of Lana del Rey, who shared a video listening Diet Pepsiwas seen as a gesture of approvalalthough The New Yorker clarifies that the line between tribute and parody It is still diffuse.
Even so, RAE was recognized for contributing a personal perspective and renewed energy to a genre that often resorts to formulas already tested.
RAE’s artistic speech is articulated around fame as art. In High Fashionsings: “Did you ever dream of being seen? / Not for someone, rather in a magazine”, a difference that, according to The New Yorkeris key to Understand your proposal. RAE does not seek individual understanding, but Collective validationa common aspiration between contemporary pop figures.
The album also touches aspects intimate. In Headphones ONhe mentions the divorce of his parents: “Hopefully my mom and dad would have been in love”, and then accept the pain: “I suppose I have to accept the pain.” This alternation between the superficial and the deep gives the album a Emotional dimension which breaks with the frivolity associated with the stars of Tiktok.
The New Yorker concludes that Addison It represents both an identity statement and an invitation to follow RAE’s musical evolution, whose mixture of light and personal themes promises to maintain the attention of the international public.
