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- The Video Structure You're Missing To Go Viral
The Video Structure You're Missing To Go Viral
How Dave Blunts Went From 157 to nearly 500K Monthly Listeners in just 1 year

Music Marketing Trends is a Newsletter by Jesse Cannon that breaks down how musicians really get their music heard. If you know a story we should be telling or an artist we should cover just hit reply to this email.
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Dave Blunts blew up out of nowhere. This rapper went from 157 monthly listeners to half a million in less than a year. I rarely get to analyze artists during this exact moment when everything changes.

The interesting approach with Dave is his release schedule. While dropping singles, he simultaneously released multiple albums - about 30 songs total in 2024 - both albums and singles. For months, nothing worked. His early 2024 streams were totally flat despite all this music.

started with 157 monthly listeners in April 2024
Then TikTok changed everything. Classic music industry story - an artist grinds away with zero traction until something suddenly clicks on social media. Once TikTok found him, his streaming numbers exploded overnight.
Growth Breakdown
Dave's entire TikTok rise happened in just one page scroll - that's how fast things clicked for him. His fifth video hit differently and the algorithm took notice.

Distinctive Appearance
Dave stands out immediately with his unique look. He mentions in one song that he's 600 pounds. That's a lot of man. This instantly makes him recognizable in a sea of generic rapper content. Also, I think one of the X-factors with this guy is he's just charming - you're kind of rooting for him when you watch his content.
Being Recognizable
Every single video has the same elements:
That same cup appears in every video
Identical camera angle throughout
Consistent zoom level on his face
Same framing technique every time
I talk all the time about having identifiable things - and Dave nails this. When his videos appear, you know exactly who it is before you even hear a word.
@daveblunts Dave Blunts - CRYING IN THE KITCHEN out now on All Platforms
It set him up for everything that followed. That initial traction created the foundation that eventually converted to his Spotify explosion.
Engaging Narratives
Dave knows how to craft a narrative that keeps viewers hooked. If you actually listen to his lyrics, the stories take wild, unexpected turns. This is exactly what drives retention.

lyrics from “Hospital Bed”

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