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From Karaoke to Viral Fame: Rodric King’s 'Unchained Melody' Journey

Rodric King’s viral ‘Unchained Melody’ cover was no accident - it was the result of years of strategic experimentation. We caught up with him to talk about perseverance, going viral, how musicians can grow their online following, and more.

By Magesh MageshContributing Author

Rodric King is a singer/songwriter. His version of Unchained Melody went viral with over 800 thousand views.

I spoke to him about his success, going viral, and how musicians can increase their followings on social media.

Magesh, Musicngear: Many people know you from your version of Unchained Melody which went viral on YouTube. However, you performed for years at open mics, karaoke bars, and even gas stations. What advice can you give to young musicians about persevering?

Everything changed for me when I started believing in myself. I waited for someone else to believe in me for years, wasting valuable time. But the moment I stopped waiting, my spirit grew more pungent, louder, and more determined.

I was not proving anything to anyone but myself. Believing in myself sets the standard for others to follow. Now, the world believes—but none of it would have happened if I hadn’t believed first.

You must know that growth, improvement, and success are within your reach if you pursue them. I made that choice, and with it, my confidence soared.

Confidence fuels hard work, more intelligent decisions, and persistence. When you put in the work, you see results. Believe. Stay confident. Keep pushing forward. That is how you persevere.

Musicngear: How did you find out that your song went viral?

I discovered my song had gone viral when I suddenly started gaining an unusual number of followers on YouTube. Curious, I logged in to track the source and saw many comments on my Unchained Melody video. I was bursting with excitement.

Looking back, that moment marked the first of many viral experiences.

Everything changed for me when I started believing in myself

Musicngear: Can you explain the feeling of knowing that millions of people suddenly knew who you were?

Looking back, the feeling of so many people recognizing my existence was incredible—especially after nine years of only getting 50-100 views per post.

The dream had finally become a reality. The real question was: How would people respond to me? Would it be positive or negative?

Surprisingly, the overwhelming majority were kind, loving, and supportive. Out of over 200,000 comments, I can count the negative ones on one hand.

Musicngear: Did you spend a lot of time practicing Unchained Melody before you recorded it?

I spent about a year practicing Unchained Melody before I recorded it. My approach was simple: finding the best versions and matching or surpassing that level. I had no business covering the song if I couldn’t do that.

I listened to nearly every rendition on YouTube, expecting to find the perfect interpretation. To my surprise, while many covers impressed me, none fully captured what I felt the song needed. I saw untapped potential, and that’s when I knew I couldn’t just sing this song; I had to build it.

I dedicated months to each section, refining every note and nuance. Night after night, I performed it at karaoke, testing different approaches and studying audience reactions. After a year of fine-tuning, I locked in the version I believed in. Then, I recorded it in multiple styles, posted it everywhere, and let the world decide.

Confidence fuels hard work, more intelligent decisions, and persistence

Musicngear: Most people struggle to get followers on social media. How can new artists build up their online fanbase?

Do not play checkers; play chess! A new artist can build a strong fanbase with a rock-solid strategy that starts with research. Watch videos, read blogs, and study what works. 

Understand your strengths and weaknesses—improve the weak spots and amplify what makes you stand out. Identify what your fans love most about you and your talent, then give them exactly that.

Each social media platform is different, so find the one that best suits you and your style. Master it. Become an expert. Tailor your content based on what you’ve learned, and test your strategies—because numbers don’t lie. When you create content that resonates with your audience and meet them where they are, they will engage.

This is just a summary, but success is inevitable if you follow this approach.

Musicngear: How did going viral affect your life with other opportunities?

Going viral opened doors to incredible opportunities by connecting me with key individuals who genuinely wanted to support my mission.

The difference? I had a mission—a clear strategy and defined goals that guided my next steps. Celebrities have reached out, which was surreal. Industry giants—famous among the famous but unknown to the public—have offered insights and connections. I’ve also discovered phenomenal, undiscovered talent and formed collaborations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

The opportunities are endless, and the true power of going viral is something you can’t fully grasp until it happens. It’s just part of the process.

Connect with Rodric King
YouTube // Instagram // Facebook // Spotify // Website

About Magesh Magesh

Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour. He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk

Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com

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