Just like every other sector, social media revolutionized the music industry in many ways. From artist discovery to promoting self-starters (not to mention trending audios on Reels), all the way to behavioral shifts like how people listen to their favorite tunes, the business has undergone a major transformation in recent years. Digital channels changed the game — just consider how Justin Bieber was discovered.
The internet wasn't kind to the music industry at first, with illegal streaming and all manners of piracy hurting artists, and ultimately the big labels they belonged with. That said, platforms like Instagram and YouTube that cultivate creativity, foster artistry, and enable like-minded communities to congregate, and anchor the sector's forced pivot.
An Instagram account can help propel careers, whether a musician is using their voice, or being promoted by a business, or creating music in hopes it’s widely used on Reels or TikTok.
So, which music accounts should you follow on Instagram? We put together a list of the best music Instagram accounts to follow to keep up with the latest and greatest sounds.
If you want to keep a pulse on what’s happening in the music industry and the business behind some of the biggest artists, follow these accounts on Instagram:
Created to support artists with tools to create, release and measure music performance. Apple Music is an industry giant that you’ll benefit from following.
Created by artists for artists to connect, share knowledge and promote positive growth.
A global digital streaming service to listen to your favorite artist, bands or podcasts.
An American magazine covering music charts, news, videos and style related to the music industry.
Formerly known as Warner Brothers Records, This is the global Instagram account for the record label of iconic, culture-shaping music and entertainment.
An American record label, home to some of the top music artists.
The global Instagram home for Sony artists promoted music.
Epic Records is an American record label and a subsidiary of Sony — they promote new music and live performances on Instagram.
World's leading video network, connecting a global audience to high quality music content.
MTV's official Instagram account. Sharing lifestyle, videos and behind-the-scenes content from your favorite bands, artists, and entertainers.
Over the years, this global music label helped redefine music culture and sign some of the biggest music artists.
A global subscription-based streaming service for music and podcasts.
Interested in what the biggest artists post on their accounts? These are some of the most popular artists to follow on Instagram in 2023:
With 132 million followers, Drake’s Instagram account is certainly nothing to snuff at. Mostly featuring selfies, lifestyle content, and shots of his crew, the rapper also features song clips — making this a great account to follow if you’re a fan, or just interested in a glimpse at Drake’s life.
If you want a master class in a great balance of promotional, personal, and easter eggs for fans, Taylor Swift’s Instagram account is an essential follow. It encapsulates her brand perfectly, plus provides fans with a great mix of behind-the-scenes content.
Billie Eilish's Instagram feed is a beautiful mix of hi-fi and lo-fi images — sharing brand deals and endorsements, selfies, and clips from upcoming acting projects, her account offers a great glimpse into her style, creative and business projects, and behind-the-scenes looks at her life.
Dua ‘Dula Peep’ Lipa is one of the newest pop stars to quickly propel to superstar status. This three-time Grammy winner features content from @service95, her ‘cultural concierge’, which focuses on art, fashion, culture, and issues like mental health. You can also find fashion and travel content, plus regular stories that are perfect for pop fans interested in the day-in-a-life of a mega star.
Want a great example of a funny, authentic-feeling account that’s still impactful when it comes to brand partnerships? Look no further than Lil Nas X’s Instagram account. From memes, fit shots, to promotional posts for products like sneakers and M&M’s, Lil Nas X is an entertaining follow and great example of showing your personality while maintaining a consistent, curated feed.
Despite not having as many folllowers as other musicians on this list, Questlove is an essential follow for anyone interested in hip-hop — Questlove is a filmmaker, songwriter, drummer and joint frontman of the Roots, producer, actor, DJ and more.
Not only are the Roots the houseband for Jimmy Fallon’s late night show, but Questlove is prolific in his own right, recently winning a Best Documentary Oscar for Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) in 2022.
The most-followed music artist on Instagram is Selena Gomez with over 420 million followers.
Overall, the most followed musicians in Instagram are:
Add music to your Instagram story with three easy steps:
There are a couple of reasons why certain Instagram songs aren’t available for users. One reason might be that you’re using an Instagram Business account, and certain songs aren’t approved for commercial use. Another reason you might not be able to find certain songs is that they’ve been removed — for either copyright issues or simply deleted by the user.