Unless you’ve been living under a rock and ignoring major trends, you should know about TikTok. Formally known as the lip-syncing app “Music.ly,” TikTok allows users to create video content using different sound and video features. The app itself has gained a major following and some even consider it to be an adaption from the six-second video platform, Vine. If you need to catch up on all the viral gifts TikTok has given us, check out these top TikTok trends that will get you up to speed.
The yeehaw agenda
@3brothas Yee haw brotha #cowboyup#foryou#viral
♬ Old Town Road - Lil Nas X
The “Yeehaw Agenda” is still alive and well—if you couldn’t tell by all the cowboy boots. This trend re-emerged following the release of Lil Nas X’s hit country song “Old Town Road.” Users can be seen transforming into authentic cowboys as they dance and lip-sync to the song. TikTok itself might be partially responsible in kick starting the song’s the overnight popularity. Just make sure you know the difference between a YeeHaw and a YeeYee — because yes, there is a difference and yes, it is important!
Karma is a bitch
@munakanchi Karma is a b**** #filtermakeover#showyourbeauty#challenge#karmaisabitch#neprisingstars#nepali
♬ original sound - x.shweta.x
The ultimate glow-up inspo. Within this trend, users teach the world not to judge a book by it’s cover. Viewers can watch as people dress themselves in hideous outfits, exaggerated makeup and messy hair while they sing to Cryptex’s “Antique Gucci.” At the climax of the video, a towel or hoodie is pulled over their faces, and in some cases the camera, to reveal a dramatic glow up. At the end of every video are flawless makeup, hilarious transformations into other people and even iconic characters.
Ok Boomer
@lasagnahecker community college student out here gettin bold
♬ ok boomer X1000 - canigetuhhhamborger
If you’ve been hearing this literally everywhere, you have TikTok to thank. What began as a funny phrase used to challenge the outdated opinions of the baby boomer generation, has become a viral sensation. TikTokers use “OK Boomer” to combat the racism, sexism, classism and traditionalist views, all while being hilariously entertaining. Everyone from Trump to Joe Biden, all the way down to your friendly neighborhood grandpa, has been ‘OK Boomer’-ed before.
Hit or miss
(I guess they never miss, huh?)
@sydniezywina NO WAY DID THAT HAPPEN!😮😧 #foryoupage#zankuchallenge#tiktok#trend#hitormiss#crazy
♬ Hit Or Miss? - abimitsven
The infamous diss track “Mia Khalifa” by iLOVEFRiDAY — the product of the messy feud between Mia Khalifa and the Atlanta-based hip-hop group called iLOVEFRiDAY has become the newest challenge that TikTok users have become obsessed with. Users record themselves yelling “Hit or Miss?” and wait for another TikTok user to respond with “I guess they never miss, huh?" @itsstomahs suggested it become the unofficial "secret handshake" of TikTok — if ya know, ya know, right?
The triangle dance
@lasabri #triangledance quanto siamo bravi??? ❤️giuliosolfrini sophialand18
♬ Milkshake - Kelis
Yes, this logic-defying, seemingly easy but actually really hard dance is also popular all thanks to TikTok. The dance first hit the internet earlier this year to “Milkshake” by Kelis and has become a sensational trend with everyone and their moms trying to nail it.
The microwave challenge
@onebadjedi #microwave#magicmicrowave#microwavechallange#spinning#foryou#featurethis
♬ SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK - Joji
If you’ve ever stared at your Kraft dinner at 2 a.m. and wondered what it felt like to spin around in your microwave, this challenge will speak to your soul. The “microwave challenge” gives you the illusion that you’re actually spinning around slowly in your microwave. It requires a lot of core strength and tons of patience to spin that slowly but the entertainment is well worth it. The trick is to spin your whole body while keeping your arms and legs still. This has given us many unreal videos and some hilarious fails too.
All the boys
@woofgang1 🐶 #dogs#dogsoftiktok#doggydaycare#pets#foryou#foryoupage#woofgang
♬ Boys - Lizzo
This year was undeniably “the year of Lizzo” but TikTok took one of her iconic songs and made it a viral hit. While Lizzo’s iconic verse in “Boys” plays, you can watch as guys take on different personas – you know, like city boys and the itty bitty boys. Honestly though, the best videos in this trend are the ones of cats dressed up in bow ties, too cute.
Drop dance
@rohann_asfaw I thought this dance needed a lil something extra 😉 #dance#jumpstyle
♬ Cradles - Sub Urban
If you can’t tell by now, TikTok is the birthplace of many dance challenges. Notably, one of the most popular dances was created by @Rohann_asfaw to “Cradles” by Sub Urban. This trend featuring jump style dance moves has gained over 240 million views.
Here’s the tea
@sammielewiss ☕️ tea 4 u
♬ original sound - sammielewiss
This TikTok trend hits way too close to home, especially when all you do with your best friends is spill hot gossip. Most importantly, it’s all about the vibe - nails did, attitude going off, Starbucks drink ready to be sipped shadily and about to share some harsh truths with the world.
Go hard
@nikjwells this was funnier in my head #notredame#foryou#foryoupage#gohard
♬ Go Hard (La.La.La) - Kreayshawn
This TikTok trend shows us that it’s okay to DIY your way through life. Using a sound clip from the Kreayshawn song “Go Hard,” these TikTok videos highlight the struggles of having no money for something and being creative about how you get them. Maybe you have to cut your headphone cords to make them look like AirPods or maybe you have to call out the billionaires of the world for their tone-deaf charity efforts. Either way, this trend proves no one goes harder than TikTokers.
I'm forecasting TikTok will continue to be the source of countless viral sensations so be sure to check out the platform for this year’s top internet trends.
