17 Other Viral Hip-Hop Dance Hits Before ‘Juju on That Beat’ (2024)

The ascent of Zay HilfigerrrandZayion McCall’s breakout track “Juju on that Beat (TZ Anthem)” tothe top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 after entering the list just four weeks ago is the latest example of an online smash that crossed over from Internet fandominto mainstreamsuccess.

Earlier this month, Hilfigerr and McCall also made the top three of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, which followed their official signing to Atlantic Records. A viral dance phenomenon is nothing new in hip-hop. From Soulja Boy‘s “Crank Dat” dance to Bobby Shmurda‘s Shmoney dance, here are14other hip-hop dance crazes that made theirway around the Webthroughout the years below.

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Bobby Shmurda, “Hot N—a”

“Hot N—a” found chart success thanks to theviral Shmurda(a.k.a. Shmoney)dance courtesy of 22-year-old Brooklyn rapper Bobby Shmurda.Its viral music video racked up nearly 261,000,000 views on YouTube since August 2014. Shmurda’sbreakoutsuccess was short-lived as the promising rhymerwas brought up on a variety of gang-related charges that December and is still sitting in jail thanks to a seven-year prison sentence.

Finatticz, “Don’t Drop That Thun Thun”

It’s the summer of 2013. President Obama is six months into his second term in office, Iron Man 3is abox office hitand Finatticz are at the center of the latest viral craze thanks to their infectioustrack “Don’t Drop That Thun Thun.”Actuallyrecorded years prior, the Los Angeles-based group propelledinto hip-hop infamy largely thanks to a Vine posted that July that featured some provocative twerking to “Thun Thun.”

Silento, “Watch Me (Whip /Nae Nae)”

Unlike most of the other acts included on this list, Atlanta native Silento was actually signed to Capitol Records before his breakout track went viral. One of the most ubiquitous songs of the summer of 2015, “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” — which peaked at No. 3 —included allthe components for a viral smash:catchy melody, simple lyrics, and a custom dance that took off thanks to the video’s success on YouTube, which currently clocks in with over abillion plays and counting.

Drake, “Hotline Bling”

That chunky sweater. Those weird stairs. The dad-inspired moves. Drake’s already incredible career reached new heights last year thanks to the smash success of “Hotline Bling,”which, at No. two, was the highest charting single of his career at the time (Drizzy later hit No. 1with “One Dance.”) The song’s success can be credited to its inventive video, which is currently creeping towardthebillion mark, and theonslaught offan videos and memes that followed.

iLoveMemphis (formerly iHeartMemphis), “Hit the Quan”and “Lean and Dabb”

If there’s anyone who surely owes their entire career to going viral, it’s iLoveMemphis. The Tennessee native hit the charts with a one-two punch over the course of a year thanks to two viral videos for“Hit the Quan”and “Lean and Dabb.”Avideo by fellow rapper Rich Homie Quandoing theQuandance, alsoturned “Hit the Quan”into a Vine sensation.Nevertheless, iLoveMemphis’ pair of viral victories makes it apparent that lightning can indeed strike twice in the same place.

Cali Swag District, “Teach Me How toDougie”

The Dougiedominated the Internet thanks to three then-teen MCs from Inglewood, Calif. namedChante “Yung” Glee,Cahron “JayAre” Childs,MC/DJ Corey “C-Smoove” Fowler and Montae“M-Bone” Talbert (the latter was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2011). In 2010, the track sold1.6 million downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Italsopeaked at No. 9 on and No. 28 on theHot 100.

Webstar &Young B feat. AG, “Chicken Noodle Soup”

Female rapper Young B turned her favorite meal while feeling sick — chicken noodle soup and ginger ale — into an Internet-wide smash for the hook of producer Webstar’s2006 offering.Paired with a club-ready dance imitating rain drops for its other big hook — “Let it rain/Clear it out,” there was enough “Chicken Noodle Soup” to go around.

Unk, “Walk It Out”

While the actual dance involved more than just putting one foot in front of the other, Atlanta DJ Unk’s 2006 hit“Walk It Out” peaked at No. 10 on the Hot 100 and had many hitting the dancefloor.

GS Boyz, “Stanky Legg”

The Texas-bred rap crew not only released an explosive visual but jumpstarted a leggy new dance with the 2009 release “StankyLegg.” The track kicked it at No. 17 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

New Boyz, “You’re a Jerk”

Who knew writing off someone could make for a viral hit? In 2009, the skinny jean-clad rap duo from Los Angelescapitalized on the local dance craze, jerkin’, for the crossover pop hit that reached No. 24 on the Hot 100.

Huey, “Pop, Lock & Drop It”

This crunkgem from St. Louis rapper Huey popped, locked and dropped it at No. 6 on the Hot 100 in 2007. The Baby Huey hit also honed in on the popularstreet dance move, popping.

2 Milly, “MillyRock”

Maino, A$AP Ferg and Rick Ross remixes aside, 2 Milly’sbreakout hit “Milly Rock” was also paired with the simple two-step, hip-swaying andarm-swinging routine that kept hip-hop heads rocking from left to right.

iAmDLOW“Bet You Can’tDo It Like Me”

The #DoItLikeMe challenge spread across timelines when the Chicago rapper followed up 2014’s“Party” with the viral 2015jam“Do It Like Me.”The iAmDLOWhit dancedon the Hot 100 as well,peakingat No. 45.

Soulja Boy, “Crank That”

Soulja Boy was crowned the pioneer of viral hip-hop dances thanks to his 2009 hit “Crank Dat,” which spawned many Internet videos of dancers “Superman-ing that ho” andyelling, “Yooooouuuuuuuuuuu.”

Migos, “Look at My Dab”

Before 2 Chainzraked in dough with Dabbing Santa sweaters and Carolina Panthers quarterbackCam Newton incorporatedit into his touch down dance, Atlanta rap trio Migos had the Internet hitting the Dab with their 2015 hit. Even Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton had to get in on the action.

The Ghost Town DJs, “My Boo”

The Ghost Town DJs’ classic“My Boo” returned to the Hot 100 two decades after its release thanks toJaylen Brantley and Jared Nickens, the University of Maryland basketball players who used the song as the soundtrack to the viral dance the #RunningManChallenge.