As many within the age range of ten to thirty have become aware, JoJo Siwa’s latest song at the time, “Karma” was released Friday, April 5th. This painful use of autotune had already become extremely popular in the weeks leading up to the launch, and was almost impossible to miss when scrolling through TikTok or Instagram. However, the reason for this song’s popularity most likely has nothing to do with its quality, seeing as the lyrics are uncreative and the song poorly executed. That being said, Siwa’s latest musical attempt had quickly captured the audience’s attention, and we must ask ourselves why.

“Karma” was released through Columbia Records about eight months ago, but had reached the ears of many within weeks. This is a direct result of one thing: marketing. Siwa knew what she was doing in making numerous promotional videos on social media, dancing eccentrically to this song. It was Siwa’s over the top actions that drew viewers in, and got her the attention she wanted.  

At first glance, Siwa is just another young celebrity, desperate for recognition. While this is true to an extent, profit is also gained from this newfound fame. When you think about it, Siwa’s method is quite ingenious and incredibly effective. While the song itself is poorly written and uncreative, most can testify to the fact that it’s stuck in their heads 24/7. This musical cry for help only emphasizes the scary turn this industry is taking.

For those who yet haven’t heard of “Karma,” it would be best to avoid listening to it at all costs. This song sorely lacks all necessary aspects of what makes a halfway decent song, let alone a good one. If Siwa’s voice isn’t enough to turn listeners away, her lyrics surely do the trick. Make sure to be careful of “Karma,” because once it’s in your head, it’s not so easy to get it out.