TikTok has exploded in popularity over the past few years, becoming one of the most widely used social media platforms globally. The app is known for its short-form videos, with many going viral through popular dances, challenges, or sounds. Dance trends in particular can quickly make a song blow up on TikTok. Recently, rap songs like “Pop Out” by Polo G have gained huge popularity thanks to TikTok dances and challenges using the songs.
TikTok now has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide, showcasing its tremendous reach and influence on internet culture (https://www.enterpriseappstoday.com/stats/tiktok-statistics.html). It has an especially strong audience among Gen Z users. TikTok’s format of short videos lends itself well to catchy rap songs becoming viral memes or dance challenges. Even obscure rap songs can suddenly gain worldwide familiarity through trending on TikTok.
Methodology
To determine the most popular rap songs trending on TikTok, we analyzed several sources within the app itself. This included reviewing TikTok’s curated playlists like “Hip Hop Hits” and “Rap Roundup” which showcase currently trending rap and hip hop songs on the platform. We also browsed through top sounds and hashtags associated with rap challenges and trends. By examining songs attached to viral dances, popular TikTok sounds, and trending hip hop hashtags, we were able to identify the most widespread rap songs on TikTok at this current moment.
Sources:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tiktok-how-to-find-trending-songs/
#1 Song: “Super Gremlin” by Kodak Black
“Super Gremlin” by Kodak Black is currently the most popular rap song trending on TikTok. Released in December 2021, the song blew up on TikTok in early 2022. As of March 2022, videos using the “Super Gremlin” sound on TikTok have over 1 billion views (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/top-rap-songs-on-tiktok-right-now?lang=en).
The song took off thanks to a viral dance challenge created by user @noahschneider in January 2022. His original dance video has over 4 million likes and sparked thousands of users creating their own “Super Gremlin” dance videos (https://www.tiktok.com/@noahschneider/video/7058052999044674053). Beyond the viral dance, users have created all kinds of videos featuring the song’s catchy lyrics and energetic beat.
“Super Gremlin” peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 2022, becoming Kodak Black’s highest charting solo single to date. The song exemplifies TikTok’s power to propel hip-hop songs to mainstream popularity through dance trends and meme usage.
#2 Song
According to the Spotify playlist “Top Tik Tok Rap Songs 2024”, the second most popular rap song on TikTok is “MR. TAKE YA B*TCH (FEAT. CHRISEANROCK)” by Lil Mabu and chriseanrock (source). This song has blown up on TikTok, with over 80,000 videos created using the track as of January 2023. Its catchy beat and provocative lyrics make it perfect for TikTok trends and challenges. The song tells the story of someone trying to steal another person’s significant other. Lil Mabu’s raw and aggressive flow paired with chriseanrock’s melodic vocals has struck a chord with TikTok users. Based on its popularity and viral spread on the platform, “MR. TAKE YA B*TCH” is undoubtedly one of the top trending rap songs on TikTok right now.
#3 Song
The third most popular rap song on TikTok in 2023 is “First Person Shooter” by Drake featuring 21 Savage, according to several sources. This song was released in 2022 on Drake’s album Her Loss and quickly gained popularity on TikTok thanks to its catchy beat and meme-worthy lyrics.
As of January 2023, the “First Person Shooter” hashtag has over 273 million views on TikTok. Many users create videos showcasing their life and activities synced to the song’s lyrics. For example, TikTok user @nicolefryy gained over 4 million views on her video where she lip syncs lyrics like “I’m the first person shooter, the first person you’ll lose” while showing herself getting ready and going out.
Other viral trends with this song include using its beat for transition videos and dance challenges. Overall, “First Person Shooter” stands out for its hard-hitting production and quotable lines that resonate with TikTok users. Drake and 21 Savage created the perfect viral formula that helped solidify this track’s popularity on the platform. It will likely continue trending as more creators find creative ways to incorporate it in their content.
Sources:
https://www.tiktok.com/@rap/video/7259491381884849450?lang=en
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4xqRMQ2GXanZheIGnTMn0EU4UAdGHs4e
Notable Songs
Other popular rap songs on TikTok worth mentioning even if not in the top 3 include “Best Friend” by Saweetie, “Calling My Phone” by Lil Tjay, and “LOT OF ME” by Lil Tecca (Source 1). “Best Friend” has over 500K TikTok creations featuring the song, while “Calling My Phone” and “LOT OF ME” each have over 300K TikTok creations (Source 2).
“Astronaut in the Ocean” by Masked Wolf, “Don’t Play With It” by Lola Brooke, and other rap tracks also have a strong TikTok presence but just narrowly miss the top 3 (Source 3). These songs have unique flows and hooks that resonate well in short form video content.
Emerging Songs
While established rap hits continue to trend, there are always new songs starting to gain traction on TikTok. Here are some emerging rap songs beginning to trend on TikTok:
Money Longer by Lil Uzi Vert – Though originally released in 2016, this song by Lil Uzi Vert has found new life on TikTok. The catchy hook and uptempo melody make it perfect for TikTok videos. Lil Uzi Vert’s unique vocal style also appeals to Gen Z users on the platform.
The Box by Roddy Ricch – Roddy Ricch is one of rap’s fastest rising stars, and his hit “The Box” is starting to blow up on TikTok. Users are choreographing dances and lipsyncs to the infectious beat and chorus. With over 460 million Spotify streams, the song is quickly crossing over from TikTok to the mainstream.
Woah by Lil Baby – Lil Baby’s signature flow is tailor-made for TikTok clips. The Atlanta rapper released “Woah” in January 2020, and TikTok creators have already begun using the catchy track in their videos. As Lil Baby continues his meteoric rise, expect “Woah” to become a TikTok staple.
Keep an eye on these emerging rap hits on TikTok. They may become the next big trending songs on the platform if growth continues.
Trend Analysis
When analyzing the rap songs trending on TikTok, some clear themes and patterns emerge. According to research from Music Tomorrow, the most viral songs on TikTok tend to be hip hop/rap, pop, and electronic dance music (EDM). This correlates with the trending rap songs on the platform, which often blend elements of rap, pop, and EDM production (Music Tomorrow).
Many of the top rap songs contain catchy hooks, repetitive lyrics, and danceable beats – all qualities that make them easy to lip sync and dance along with in TikTok videos. Simple, repetitive lyrics also allow users to easily duet or stitch together clips using the same song. Upbeat, energetic production often complements faster rapping styles in these hits.
Additionally, a number of the viral rap songs contain references to TikTok in the lyrics, showing that artists are intentionally crafting music for the platform. Songs like “TikTok” by Lil Tecca directly address the app and its influence on music success. Other songs may not mention TikTok by name but contain lyrics about going viral or blowing up overnight – common ambitions for TikTok songs (Nils Music Lab).
Overall, catchy, repetitive, and danceable rap/hip hop that complements short video clips thrives most on TikTok. The lyrical content and production style of trending rap aligns closely with the app’s prized qualities of virality and shareability.
Impact
TikTok has had a major impact on song popularity and artist exposure. As noted in this Business Insider article, TikTok has become a powerful platform for launching viral song trends. When a song gains traction on TikTok through dance challenges, comedy bits, or other viral content, it can quickly shoot up the charts and turn unknown artists into stars overnight.
According to the Calling All Gigs article, this effect has been especially pronounced in the rap genre. TikTok trends have helped launch the careers of rappers like Lil Nas X, whose “Old Town Road” became a #1 hit after going viral on TikTok in 2019. Other rap songs that have blown up thanks to TikTok include Roddy Ricch’s “The Box” and Doja Cat’s “Say So.”
The viral nature of TikTok allows rap songs to gain exposure at a much faster rate compared to traditional radio play and streaming playlists. As a result, many artists are now tailoring their music and promotion specifically for TikTok. Some are even collaborating directly with popular TikTok creators to help kickstart dance trends or meme formats featuring their songs.
Overall, TikTok has disrupted the music industry and changed the formula for creating a hit song. For rappers and rising artists especially, mastering TikTok’s viral algorithms may be just as important as crafting a catchy melody or lyrical hook.
Conclusion
In summary, some of the most popular rap songs trending on TikTok in recent years include “Lottery (Renegade)” by K Camp, “Say So” by Doja Cat, “About Damn Time” by Lizzo, and “Una Noche En Medellín” by Cris Mj. Female rappers like Lola Brooke, Monaleo, and Maiya the Don have also gained popularity on the platform. Key themes seen in many of the trending rap songs are high energy beats and catchy hooks that inspire dance trends and challenges.
It’s important to note that TikTok trends are highly dynamic and songs can gain and lose momentum very quickly as new music and challenges emerge. What’s popular one month may be forgotten the next. The fast-paced nature of TikTok means rap artists have to stay on top of the latest trends to gain traction. Overall, TikTok has become a highly influential platform in determining what rap songs take off and should be considered an important marketing avenue for artists in the genre.
