Apple just proved the power of the internet and shot an unsigned singer to fame

'The things that the internet can do is incredible'

'The things that the internet can do is incredible'

In the past year we’ve become increasingly wary about technology and the effects that it can have on society.

Whether it's the news that our smartphones could be intrinsically chauvinistic and that sexist algorithms could be keeping women out of certain job sectors or the scary new Snapchat update that tracks your location, it's easy to forget that technology is also a tool for positive change.

This is something that Apple proved last night when they showcased the power of the internet at an event, shooting an unsigned singer and her music to fame in a matter of minutes - just because they could.

Emma Blackery is a British singer-songwriter and YouTube vlogger, who has been releasing music independently for years to her 1.4 million subscribers, with her most recent track, Magnetised, landing in May.

Find out more: Apple launch new Macbook Air.

While the 25-year-old is undoubtedly known on YouTube, she may have just been catapulted to big time fame - something she had no idea was going to happen.

During Apple's global iPhone announcement in California on Tuesday, the company featured an album by Emma Blackery as the backdrop - next to an album by Grammy Award winning Lorde - with the cover of Emma's Magnetised beaming to millions of people across the world.

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'What the fuck just fucking happened' the 25-year-old tweeted after seeing her album featured, explaining to fans how it was a complete surprise.

'Saw @emmablackery at #AppleEvent and I became an instant fan after checking her out,' tweeted @shonen7, among others as the singer gained fans and followers in a matter of minutes. 'The things that the internet can do is incredible,' agreed @LaurenMcKenna92.

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Taking to her Twitter once more at the end of the night, Emma tweeted out a final message to her followers, posting 'I wish I could stay up all night responding to all the love, but it's bedtime in the UK! This has been one of the best nights of my life.'

Congratulations to Emma on her big break - we're looking forward to seeing her in the charts very soon.

Find out more: Everything you need to know about the new Mac Mini.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.