Why are Deftones experiencing a career surge in 2026?

Deftones are experiencing a career surge primarily due to their music going viral on TikTok, leading to a significant increase in their Spotify listeners.

How many monthly listeners do Deftones have on Spotify now?

Deftones' monthly listener figures on Spotify surged from two million to 17 million.

What musical influences can be heard in Deftones' sound?

Deftones' sound is influenced by bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Cure, and they also show early influences of shoegaze music.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Deftones' TikTok Boom: From Nu-Metal to 17M Listeners

Deftones' TikTok Boom: From Nu-Metal to 17M Listeners

13 Feb

•

Summary

Deftones' Spotify listeners surged from two to 17 million monthly.
TikTok virality, including 'hornycore' trends, drives their renewed fame.
The band now plays to larger crowds than ever before in their career.

Deftones' TikTok Boom: From Nu-Metal to 17M Listeners

Deftones, formed in 1988, are currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity, with frontman Chino Moreno stating they are 'literally bigger than we've ever been.' Between the release of their albums 'Ohms' in 2020 and 'Private Music' last year, their monthly listener figures on Spotify skyrocketed from two million to 17 million.

This dramatic increase in commercial fortunes is largely attributed to TikTok virality. Songs like 'Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)' and 'Cherry Waves' have become ubiquitous on the platform. The reasons for their appeal are debated, ranging from emo rappers sampling their music to discussions of 'hornycore' due to Moreno's perceived 'sexual tones.'