06.02.2021

TikTok Treats, Week of May 31st

BTS is Smooth Like “Butter,” Hd4President Touches Down, and Creators Get Out Their Aggression With Some Playboi Carti

The News:

Each week, the TikTok Treats newsletter gives a snapshot of the state of music on TikTok, touching on trending hits, emerging artists, superstar moves, ascendant memes, and much more. The past week on TikTok was an eventful one, with hit songs from superstars, emerging acts, and legacy artists inspiring creative trends that showcase the inventive sense of humor of the community. Take a look below at some of the most interesting developments from recent days:

BTS just scored their third US #1 hit with “Butter,” and the TikTok division of the BTS ARMY is a big contributor to that success. The world famous pop group’s new single has taken the app by storm since they started the #SmoothLikeButter challenge, which asks the community to show off their smoothest moves, from impeccably choreographed group dances to flawless streamer twirls. The song has racked up over 600k video creations, over 323 million video views on the hashtag, and a new dance craze, and it doesn’t look like it will slow down anytime soon.
Part of the joy of listening to Playboi Carti’s music is mimicking his unique vocals, and a new TikTok trend uses one of his wildest songs to send a clear message. TikTok users have turned to “Punk Monk” (402k video creations) to list some behaviors and attributes they just can’t abide. Don’t like sushi? Thinking of planning a trip without your daughter? Do you say “car-muhl” instead of “car-a-mel”? Carti fans on TikTok say, “don’t! talk! to! me!“
Baton Rouge rapper Hd4president‘s “Touch Down 2 Cause Hell” is TIkTok’s new anthem for hot girl summer, inspiring multiple dance crazes and bringing some Dirty South flavor to the platform. The song started to rise in popularity after its use in a twerk-happy video by @diorfaithk on May 1st (4.9 million views) generating over 370k video creations on a user-generated sound perfect for employees looking forward to the end of their shift or slick students trying to avoid plagiarism or parents showing off their children. Louisiana native @jigglikerob brought the song back to where it started, his “jiggin‘” dance showing TikTok how they get down in the Bayou (or at Rob’s college graduation).
Rapper and internet personality Kayla Nicole‘s song “Bundles” ft. Taylor Girlz is TikTok’s latest bad girl anthem. With booming bass and body positive lyrics, the song is the ideal soundtrack for anyone who’s feeling themself, including a teenager coming out to her mom, an energetic father-son duo, and a seriously stylish spaniel. The song has over 1.3 million video creations on TikTok, and is catching fire off the platform too–it’s currently listed at #8 on Spotify’s U.S. Viral 50 chart.
The Mamas & The Papas‘ “Dedicated To The One I Love” is a sparkling example of the legendary group’s combination of classic pop harmonies and ’60s psychedelia. Now, 54 years after the song’s release, “Dedicated To The One I Love” is back, thanks to a TikTok trend that explores the inner dynamics of friendships. The trend focuses on the song’s bombastic build-up from verse to chorus–as the drums hit, the creator’s face fades out and is replaced by two stick figures representing unlikely or perfectly-matched friendships. The best examples of the trend reveal friendship patterns that inherently make sense, even if people don’t often think of them, or slyly comment on nursery rhyme conventions.
Latin singer Don Omar’s “Bandoleros” is intimately associated with the Fast & Furious films, ever since its use in 2009’s Fast & Furious. As excitement builds for the forthcoming F9 (Vin Diesel…in space!), TIkTok users are taking “Bandoleros” into their own hands, bragging about moments in which they lived life a quarter mile at a time. Creators use “Bandoleros” and the green screen filter to insert themselves into a Fast & Furious cast photo to celebrate when they beat Google Maps’ estimated time, did some very basic work on their car, or got lucky at a red light. “Bandoleros” has over 51k video creations on TikTok, many in the past week.

During June, TikTok celebrates Black Music Month, bringing themed playlists and LIVE entertainment that celebrates TikTok’s favorite Black music. Today, Alicia Keys will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her debut album Songs In A-Minor with a LIVE stream on her TikTok channel. Tune in today at 2pm PT/5pm ET to watch the stream, and stay tuned for more LIVE appearances from the likes of Coi Leray, H.E.R., and more. Read about TikTok’s plans for Black Music Month in full at TikTok’s newsroom: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/join-us-in-celebrating-black-music-on-tiktok-with-alicia-keys-her-coi-leray-tpain-and-more

Check TikTok’s newsroom for more noteworthy stories: newsroom.tiktok.com