TikTok’s “Top Moments” will be available as NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. According to the social media group, Lil Nas X was the first to sell his NFT on October 6th, in collaboration with cut-out artist Rudy Willingham.
In a growing creator economy, TikTok NFTs aim to provide a way for creators to be recognised and rewarded via their content. Entitled “TikTok Top Moments”, the project showcases six culturally significant TikTok videos from some of TikTok’s most popular creators.
The first to drop an official TikTok NFT is rapper Lil Nas X. The NFT is an alternate clip for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”, created by cut-out artist Rudy Willingham. The NFT features a one-of-a-kind token as well as a few additional limited-edition alternatives.
Pop-rap icon Lil Nas X rose to maestri of viral success after his 2019 hit “Old Town Road”, inspiring a frenzy of memes and digital challenges.
Not long after, Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” broke the internet. TikTok creator Rudy Willingham made a stop motion video of the song not long after, which caught the attention of millions of users – including Lil Nas X himself.
Rudy Willingham’s tribute to Lil Nas X is a hypnotic kaleidoscope of colour and sound. The NFT clip includes 81 frames, featuring Willingham’s signature cutouts.
Happy album release @LilNasX !!!! So excited to put this beautiful bundle of joy on repeat. pic.twitter.com/sBxXpwRVY6
— Rudy Willingham (@RudyWillingham) September 17, 2021
Willingham photographed the images against different backgrounds, signifying different parts of the rapper’s genius.
Community-defining Creators
Lil Nas X is the first artist to drop an official TikTok NFT, alongside contributions from the social media platform’s ‘community-defining creators’.
These include singers Bella Poarch and Curtis Road, AI rapper FNMeka, comedian Brittany Broski, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, and photographer Jess Marciante.
TikTok is linking up each creator with an NFT artist for a contribution to the collection. Grimes’ skills have also been recruited to help with aesthetic direction thanks to her experience with NFT’s.
The TikTok statement reads that the proceeds go directly to the creators and NFT artists involved. This provides TikTok and NFT fans and enthusiasts with a mode to support their top creators.
Nick Tran, Global Head of Marketing at TikTok says,
“The creation that happens on TikTok helps drive culture and starts trends beyond the platform. As the creator economy continues to grow, we’re continually looking for new and differentiated ways to support our creators.
He goes on,
Now, fans can own a moment on TikTok that helped shape the internet while supporting some of their favorite creators. We’re excited to see how our community and NFT communities engage with some of the internet’s most beloved cultural milestones.”
Fans can head to a dedicated drop site, where Lil Nas X will be the first creator to launch his one-of-one and limited editions with artist Rudy Willingham.
The one-of-one NFTs will be available on Ethereum, with the limited edition NFTs powered by Immutable X.
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