TikTok is a popular short-form video app that has exploded in popularity in recent years. According to sources, TikTok now has over 1 billion monthly active users. The app is especially popular among Gen Z, with over 60% of its users between the ages of 16 and 24.
One of the biggest trends on TikTok is viral dance challenges, where users create videos of themselves dancing to the same songs. Dances like “The Renegade” and “The Woah” have completely taken over the app, amassing millions of videos created by users around the world. Of all the viral dances on TikTok, one stands out as potentially the most popular TikTok dance of all time – “The Renegade.”
The Renegade
The most popular TikTok dance of all time is arguably the Renegade, created by Atlanta teenager Jalaiah Harmon in 2019. The Renegade features simple but distinct moves set to the song “Lottery” by K Camp. Shortly after Harmon first posted the dance, it quickly went viral on TikTok, with major celebrities like Lizzo, Millie Bobby Brown, and Charli D’Amelio posting their own versions.
By early 2020, the Renegade had become ubiquitous on TikTok. As one article noted, at one point there was “no escaping” Harmon’s viral dance. Part of its popularity stemmed from the fact that the moves were simple enough for anyone to replicate. But they were also set to a catchy beat that made the dance instantly memorable and shareable.
Impact of the Renegade
The Renegade dance had a huge impact on TikTok culture and helped inspire many trends. As reported by Medium, the Renegade “showcases how TikTok’s dance culture can sometimes overshadow the creators behind the movements” (source).
The viral dance helped launch the careers of young Black creators on the platform. Jalaiah Harmon, the original creator of the Renegade, gained fame from the dance she made up in her bedroom. As The New York Times wrote, the Renegade “set up a culture clash between the two influencer communities” on TikTok (source).
The Renegade showcased the creativity of Black teenagers on TikTok. It inspired many users, especially Black youth, to create their own original dances and trends. As reported by LinkedIn, dance challenges like the Renegade had a “huge impact on the music industry” by promoting songs (source).
The Milly Rock
The Milly Rock is a street dance move that emerged in Brooklyn in the early 2010s. It was created by rapper 2 Milly in 2011 and popularized through music videos and local dance circles. While initially popular in New York City, the Milly Rock gained mainstream recognition when it was widely adopted on TikTok starting in 2019.
The dance involves a light footed, rhythmic bouncing and rocking motion, with repetitive torso popping and arm movements. 2 Milly first showcased it in his music video “Milly Rock,” releasing both the song and dance as part of a competition. After circulating locally for years, the Milly Rock exploded on TikTok, with creators adding their own flair while paying homage to the original moves.
The Woah
The Woah, also called the Woah Vicky, is another iconic TikTok dance. The Woah features specific arm movements followed by briefly freezing in place. Dancers hold their arms out with palms facing up, then cross their arms rapidly in front of their face before freezing. The dance gained mainstream popularity in 2019 after rising in the hip hop scene.
The Woah dance is credited to hip hop dancer and rapper Vic Sage. He helped popularize the arm-crossing move that became the signature Woah freeze. Various videos show Sage hitting the Woah during dance routines and hip hop cyphers before it went viral on TikTok. As the dance spread on social media, it became known as the Woah Vicky after dancer and social media star Woah Vicky posted her own version.
The Git Up Challenge
One of the most popular TikTok dances of 2019 was The Git Up Challenge, launched by Blanco Brown’s hit song “The Git Up”. This distinct country line dance took TikTok by storm, with its choreography featuring moves like toe taps, heel kicks, hip sways, and country twirls. Though TikTok dances often stay within the app, “The Git Up” became a mainstream viral sensation that summer. Celebrities like James Corden, Terrence J, and Liza Koshy all filmed themselves doing the dance, while country artists like Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina performed it in their shows. The Git Up’s fusion of country music with hip hop dance moves made it appealing across demographics and led to its enormous crossover success. By the end of 2019, the “Git Up Challenge” hashtag had been viewed over 500 million times on TikTok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qg1GvM8tiM.
The Savage
One of the most recognizable TikTok dances was created by Keara Wilson for Megan Thee Stallion’s hit song “Savage” (Source). The empowering and provocative hip hop routine quickly took off on TikTok in early 2020. Many celebrities joined in on the viral dance craze, with Beyonce, Jessica Alba, Kelly Ripa, and more posting their own versions of “The Savage Challenge.”
The dance moves are set to the lyrics “I’m a savage, classy, bougie, ratchet.” Dancers swivel their hips, flip their hair, and shake their behinds in a fierce and sassy routine. Keara Wilson was excited that her choreography gained so much popularity, saying she wanted to create something that was “fun and cheeky.” (Source). The Savage dance presented a body positive message as people of all ages and backgrounds embraced their inner “savage.” It became a TikTok phenomenon, with over 2 billion views for the #SavageChallenge hashtag.
Which is the Most Popular?
When comparing views and attempts across TikTok, the Renegade clearly emerges as the most popular TikTok dance of all time. Created in January 2020 by 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon, the Renegade amassed over 50 million views on Harmon’s original video and inspired over 4 million Renegade challenge videos. The viral craze was further fueled by celebrities like Lizzo, David Dobrik, and the Kardashians attempting the fast-paced moves.
Dances like the Milly Rock, Woah, and Git Up Challenge also went viral with millions of views. But none have matched the Renegade’s cultural dominance and explosive popularity across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Triller. When considering views, attempts, and mainstream permeation, the Renegade clearly stands in a league of its own as TikTok’s most iconic dance.
Why Did it Go Viral?
There are a few key reasons a particular TikTok dance can go viral and gain huge popularity:
Simplicity of moves – Many of the most popular dances feature repetitive moves that are easy for amateur dancers to pick up. As one source explains, “The moves themselves are normally quite simple so it doesn’t take too long to master the routine and film your attempt to share” (Source). Keeping the choreography simple and accessible makes it more likely to spread.
Catchy beat – TikTok dances are designed to match the beat and rhythm of the accompanying song. Having an energetic, catchy beat can help propel a dance’s popularity. As one expert notes, a dance that “works well with the music that it is paired with” is more likely to go viral (Source).
Relatable/fun challenge format – Many viral dances present a fun challenge or activity that people want to try themselves and see if they can master. As noted, “The challenge aspect means that when people see others taking part, they also want to test their skills and it spreads further afield” (Source). The relatable, social nature helps trends catch on.
Conclusion
In summary, the most viral dance on TikTok to date is the Renegade. Created in 2019 by 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon, it took off after TikTok star Charli D’Amelio posted a video performing the dance. The Renegade inspired numerous videos from users attempting to nail the difficult moves, propelling the hashtag #renegade to over 8 billion views. Dance challenges allow creators to put their own spin on the latest trending moves, helping spread dances across the platform at lightning speed. Looking ahead, expect innovative choreographies that are easy to pick up and hard to master to continue dominating TikTok dance trends.
Dance challenges have become a defining part of the TikTok experience. The app’s short format allows dances to spread quickly from user to user, gaining popularity through duets and stitches as more people add their own take. For creators hoping to go viral, choreographing an original dance remains one of the most reliable ways to explode on TikTok. As the app continues evolving, look for talented dancers to keep dreaming up even more unforgettable moves.
In the future, be on the lookout for trends like dancehall, Afrobeats, and waacking to gain traction. Choreographies that tell a story through detailed hand movements and body isolations are also poised for viral success. And as new dances continue spreading each month, TikTok’s global community will keep moving together, one viral challenge at a time.
