UPFRONT/LISTEN
Under the Covers
New video stars are remaking old songs
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 YouTube: @mikemasse This 53-year-old Colorado attorney’s cover of Dan Fogelberg’s “Leader of the Band” has over 37 million views. “I won’t say this about myself—but there are people who think I’m one of the best singers. That’s because they’ve heard me do songs that they love so much.”
Nandi Bushell | TikTok: @the_nandi_bushell YouTube: @Nandi_Bushell This 13-year-old British drummer, guitarist and singer has covered hits like Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s “Crazy in Love.” She’s 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.
Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp YouTube: @Toyah Toyah, 65, is a singer who scored eight top 40 hits in the U.K. in the ’80s. Fripp, 77, is a guitarist who founded the legendary progressive rock band King Crimson. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they launched a weekly YouTube cover series called “Sunday Lunch,” complete with costumes. “There were a lot of people isolating, and they needed someone to make them laugh,” Toyah says.
Biko’s Manna YouTube and TikTok: @BikosManna This trio of South African siblings started singing and dancing at their grandmother’s birthday party and posted a video clip to TikTok. Encouraged by the response, they have shot videos of cover songs, including Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” which has 29.7 million views. Says their mother, Ayanda Pyramid: “The kids just do what they love, and people respond.” —Craig Rosen