This year we saw, Addison Rae finally shake off the “TikTok personality” label and step into the spotlight as a full blown pop star. Her debut album, ‘Addison’, released via Columbia Records, and was met with a mix of curiosity and critique. It left people wondering could a social media influencer, famous for viral dance videos really deliver a credible pop record?
The answer wasn’t a simple as yes or no. However, we’ve seen how ‘Addison’ wasn’t just another debut album it’s been a huge cultural moment that has highlighted an explosion of internet fame, nostalgia, and pop identity in today’s music industry.
Addison first rose to prominence on TikTok with her viral dances, before trying her hand at music with the 2021 single ‘Obsessed’. The difference is with the ‘Addison’ album, she dropped the name “Rae” and presented herself as a serious pop artist.
The rollout of her latest album was far from conventional. Earlier this year, Addison revealed the album tracklist by having song titles stitched onto her underwear at Coachella, a stunt that quickly went viral (Fader, 2025). It was playful, self-aware, and perfectly in tune with the internet approach she’s built her career on.
Lead single ‘Diet Pepsi’ cemented her pop ambitions, combining bright pop with cute cheeky lyrics which have been linked to the likes of early 2000s pop songs and artists like Britney Spears. The song quickly blew up on TikTok and climbed the charts, but the album has gone far beyond just viral hits.
Addison’s album leans into late 1990s and early 2000s nostalgia. Tracks like ‘High Fashion’ are known for their Y2K dance pop energy. Tracks, like ‘Fame Is a Gun’, see Addison grappling with the double edged sword of fame, the lure of stardom versus the cost of constant visibility. Her album range shows fans just how serious Addison is about her craft, and how she’s not just cashing in on viral fame.
One of Addison’s most memorable stops on her press tour was the cult YouTube series the ‘Chicken Shop Date’. Rather than a polished late night chat, she sat in a fried chicken shop opposite Amelia Dimoldenberg’s deadpan questions.
Clips from the episode quickly spread across TikTok and Twitter, generating their own memes. For Addison, it was more than just a quirky PR move it was a deliberate embrace of alternative media that resonates with her digital focused audience.
During the date styled interview, Addison came across witty, playful and self-aware, softening the criticism that she’s received. It served as a reminder that in today’s pop world, relatability can be just as effective a marketing tool as a hit single.
Like Charli XCX’s BRAT, ‘Addison’ leans into internet aesthetics and fan participation, but with a more Y2K, nostalgia driven edge. This positions Addison as part of a broader pop movement where online culture increasingly shapes mainstream success.
Still, questions of authenticity linger. As some note, the album’s production sometimes risks feeling pastiche (The Line of Best Fit, 2025). Leaving us with the question is Addison paying homage to 2000s pop, or merely repackaging it for a new generation?
While many have praised Addison’s charisma and ear for catchy hooks, some critics argue the album occasionally lacks depth. Certain tracks feel more like TikTok ready snippets than fully realised songs (Stereogum, 2025). Others suggest Addison’s “rebrand” is a marketing move rather than an authentic artistic evolution. There’s also the question of cultural gatekeeping. Addison borrows heavily from nostalgic club pop aesthetics, but does this dilute the underground cultures that inspired them?
Ultimately, ‘Addison’ is more than just an album, it’s an example of how the music industry now operates. Addison leveraged internet culture, memeable content, and alternative media appearances to push herself into mainstream pop.
The record although disliked as much as it’s liked, is a bold statement of how influencers can become credible pop artists if they navigate authenticity, spectacle, and internet participation carefully.
Whether ‘Addison’ marks the start of a lasting career or a one album moment, it has definitely impacted pop culture with another take over moment – Could Addison deliver our next summer mood?
Clara 
Kath Smart 
Emily