Unless you have been living without a WiFi connection for the past six months, you’ve probably heard of BeReal. The “real” social media app has been gaining popularity over the past few months with its random notifications and plea for users to be more authentic on their social media platforms. Even if you are not on BeReal, you have probably seen its picture-in-picture format reposted on Instagram or heard the announcement of “It’s time to Be Real!” move through a group. Other platforms are learning that what makes BeReal attractive to users is its ability to post daily, be Friends Only, and the unpredictable timing of the prompts. Already existing apps like TikTok are trying to capture the magic of BeReal, and new platforms are coming on the market with their own twist on the format.
The BeReal spinoff that I am betting on getting big? BopDrop.
BopDrop is a music-sharing app that follows the general format of BeReal. Each day, users are allowed to post one song that they want to share with their friends. This song can capture how you are feeling that day, a new release from your favorite artist, or a throwback that has been on your mind. BopDrop also features BopPrompts where at a random time you get notified with a prompt you can respond to with a song. These prompts have been things like “Post a song that feels like fall,” “Post the first song you put on during a road trip,” or “Post a song that makes you feel groovy.” Users can see their friends’ posts along with a caption and a 15 second clip from the song. You can comment and like your friends posts as well as add their songs to your musical profile.
BopDrop incorporates all the elements of BeReal that we love, while giving it a new spin. I love that I can get new music recommendations from friends and feel comfortable sharing what I’m listening to. While BeReal gives you a glimpse into what your friends are doing, BopDrop shows you how your friends are feeling. You can learn a lot about a person by what they listen to and I have been having fun bonding with friends over artists I wasn’t aware we both listened to until I saw their BopDrop. I also love how BopDrop is a low pressure social media. There is no time frame when you have to post during the day, it is completely up to you. So unlike BeReal, there is no stress about doing something fun when the notification drops. I can’t spend hours scrolling through BopDrop like I can on Instagram or TikTok. It is just an easy, fun way to feel good about your music taste!
The only thing I do want to see BopDrop do better at is their BopPrompts feature. When they introduced the new feature back in August, I was expecting to have daily prompts that I could respond to. Instead, BopPrompts only come out every few days. I think more consistent Prompts would make the app even more fun and engaging.
Overall, if you are looking to flex your music taste or want to explore a new social media, I definitely think you should give BopDrop a try! Who knows, you might just discover your new favorite song.