A viral TikTok video by Australian model Leah Halton featuring YG Marley's "Praise Jah in the Moonlight" has amassed over 700 million views, yet due to TikTok's payment structure, Marley only receives royalties for a single view.

Industry experts Alexander Baynum and Ryan Born confirm that TikTok's payment model compensates artists based on the number of different videos using their track, not the number of views per video. This means an artist earns the same amount whether their song appears in one video with a million views or a million videos with one view each.

The 12-second clip, posted on February 5th, has generated:

• 700+ million views
• 44.8 million likes
• 1.5 million comments
• 4 million saves

While TikTok argues that viral exposure leads to increased streaming on other platforms like Spotify, major labels including Universal Music Group remain critical of the platform's low payment rates. UMG is currently intensifying efforts against TikTok, issuing thousands of DMCA takedown notices for unauthorized use of its catalog and documenting the platform's failure to address repeat copyright infringers.

YG Marley's situation highlights the growing tension between music rights holders and social media platforms, particularly regarding fair compensation for viral content. While traditional streaming services would generate significant royalties for 700 million plays, TikTok's unique payment structure results in minimal compensation despite massive viewership.

The video is now approaching the record for most-liked TikTok content, currently held by Bella Poarch's "M to the B" lip-sync video from 2020.

Related Articles

Previous Articles