Tuesday Tracks — “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” by Tommy Richman

Tommy Richman’s explosive hit single has become a contender for song of the summer before the season has even arrived.

Graphic by Author

Any frequenter of social media has caught wind of Tommy Richman’s new single “MILLION DOLLAR BABY.” To call it a trending song would be an understatement.

Richman originally teased the song in a reel he posted to Instagram on April 21, featuring him and friends enjoying the soon-to-be-released track which had virality written all over it. Prior to the song’s official release on April 26, the reel had reached 1.8 million views, bolstered by over 2,000 commenters clamoring for its release.

On his way to becoming an overnight sensation, Tommy sings, “You rep my city for so damn long, but you still don’t notice me. My sound next.” It is safe to say the Virginia native is noticed now.

Within four days of its release, the track reached nearly 16.6 million streams across all streaming platforms, undoubtedly fueled by its overwhelming presence on TikTok and Instagram.

In an era of music where upcoming artists are practically reliant on mass social media appeal, Richman has cracked the code of manufacturing a song that does just that.

The genre-bending overlap of R&B, funk & hip-hop is accentuated by Tommy’s own uniquely high-pitched voice, with a pounding bass line underneath it. “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” is fitting for an influencer’s TikTok dance from their bedroom or a long road trip with the speakers turned on high. Its usage is versatile as the backdrop for a variety of settings, which explains why fans have fallen in love with the sound.

Hailing from Woodbridge, Virginia, the new star was born to a mother who is legally deaf, leaving an absence of music in the household. His exploration of music led his own style to become a collage of so many different genres. With a discography that gives everyone something to love, Richman has clear potential to be far more than a one-hit wonder. Let’s just hope that the new hit’s immense presence on social media doesn’t become oversaturated as Tommy continues to hone in the sound that has captured the attention of millions.