New Video Stars Finding Success Remaking Old Songs
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Illustration by Kiersten Essenpreis Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Want to hear new versions of your favorite songs? Just head over to YouTube or TikTok, where talented musicians are attracting big audiences with viral videos of cover tunes. Here are some
of our favorites.
Mike Massé's wildly popular cover of Toto’s “Africa” has 17 million views on YouTube. Spencer Halickman/courtesy musician Mike Massé
YouTube: @mikemasse
This 53-year-old Coloradan and former public defender had his first viral video in 2010 with a cover of Toto’s “Africa.” The clip, which he performed with Jeff Hall, a deputy district
attorney, now has more than 17 million views. He continued to perform and post videos on YouTube with a cover of Dan Fogelberg’s “Leader of the Band” in 2015, which has racked up more than
37 million views. “If you look at YouTube comments — I won’t say this about myself — there are a lot of people who think I’m one of the best singers on the planet. That’s because they’ve
heard me do other people’s songs that they love so much, so I just focus on that. I have a playlist of originals, but I don’t think it’s my calling.”
Her version of songs by the Foo Fighters and the Rolling Stones have helped 13-year-old Nandi Bushell make a name for herself. Courtesy musician Nandi Bushell
TikTok: @the_nandi_bushell
YouTube: @Nandi_Bushell
This 13-year-old British musician started playing a toy drum kit at 5, with her father accompanying her on guitar. By the time she was 7, videos of her drum covers of hits like Beyoncé and
Jay-Z’s “Crazy in Love” were garnering views on YouTube and later TikTok. Eventually, she caught the eyes and ears of her heroes. Lenny Kravitz invited her to perform with him at London’s O2
arena. After she posted a cover of the Foo Fighters’ “Everlong,” Dave Grohl accepted her challenge to a virtual drum-off. Among other videos she has posted is a cover of the Rolling Stones’
“Gimme Shelter” as a tribute to the late Charlie Watts. In the clip, Bushell uses a sampler and switches among guitar, bass, percussion, drums and vocals in an amazing display of talent.