Who Started Sea Shanty TikTok?

Sea shanties have been around for hundreds of years, however it wasn’t until the rise of TikTok that they have experienced a surge in popularity. With their catchy tunes and upbeat rhythms, it’s easy to see why sea shanties would be a hit on the short-form video platform. But who was the person responsible for bringing sea shanties to TikTok?

The person credited with starting the sea shanty trend on TikTok is Nathan Evans. The 26-year-old Scottish postman had posted a few videos of himself singing sea shanties prior to his big break, but it wasn’t until he uploaded a video of him singing “Wellerman” in December 2020 that he started to gain traction. The video caught the attention of fellow TikTokers, who began sharing his content and creating their own versions of “Wellerman.”

Before long, Evans had become an overnight sensation with millions of views and tens of thousands of followers. His newfound fame even led him to sign a deal with Universal Music Group and release his debut EP A Festive Sea Shanty Collection in March 2021. Since then, he has continued to release new music and collaborated with other artists on some amazing projects.

Since Evans first uploaded “Wellerman” in December 2020, the sea shanty trend on TikTok has only grown in popularity with more people making their own versions and contributing to the ever-growing community. It has also seen an increase in traditional maritime music being performed by non-maritime musicians, as well as adaptations into different genres such as country and hip hop.

It is clear that Nathan Evans was responsible for bringing sea shanties to TikTok and kickstarting the current trend. Without his original post, it is unlikely that sea shanties would have achieved such success on the platform or be enjoyed by so many people around the world.

Who Started Sea Shanty TikTok?
Nathan Evans is credited with starting the sea shanty trend on TikTok when he posted a video of himself singing “Wellerman” in December 2020 which quickly gained traction amongst other users on the platform. His success has since led him to sign a record deal with Universal Music Group and continue releasing new music which has further popularized sea shanties among a larger audience.