11 TikTok Trends That'll Go Down In 2021 History, And 11 That Were Less Than A Vibe
I don't need to explain how TikTok has helped thousands get through the pandemic. Not only has the app proved to be a necessary retreat from all the mess happening in the world around us, but it has also been an outlet for creatives seeking a home for their work, and everyday people who just want to let loose and maybe do a little dancey dance.
Between the '90s nostalgia and foraging through nature for safe sweets to eat, here are 11 history-making trends that we hope will come back to TikTok in 2022, and 11 that are less than a vibe:
1. History: Adult Swim Bumps
These ultra-creative takes on the short clips Adult Swim airs right as your show is about to come back from commercial break dominated For You pages this summer. The videos were always perfectly styled, touched on some of the clock app's best trends (feta pasta bump, anyone?) and appeared effortless, even though the Adult Swim bumps are probably among TikTok's most time-consuming trends. Tbh, would be a pretty cool move if Adult Swim hired a few of these genius minds to make IRL bumps.
2. History: "Driver's License" by Olivia Rodrigo
@spoiledmel can this be a trend? 😳 #oliviarodrigo #driverslicense #fyp @livbedumb stream drivers license!!!!
♬ drivers license - Olivia Rodrigo
Before we knew her as ✨Olivia Rodrigo,✨ this trend on TikTok catapulted the former Disney star into fame when her song debuted as #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Driven by thousands upon thousands of videos made to the lyrics of first single "Drivers License," Rodrigo broke records on both Spotify and Apple Music. It was at this point in the year that we realized TikTok's power over the music industry is undeniable.
3. History: The #SilhouetteChallenge
@mrsmosquito Tried this trend...wait for it 😁#silhouette#mrsmosquito#fyp#xybca#trending#foryou#putyourheadonmyshoulder
♬ Put Your Head On My Shoulder - Giulia Di Nicolantonio
The #SilhouetteChallenge was the sexy escapism we all needed. Participants started in their everyday sweats or lazy attire, and transitioned into a sultry, red-lit pose that showed off their frame. Celebrities like Normani, Cardi B, Chloe Bailey, and more jumped in on the trend, and I feel like 2022 deserves a 2.0 version.
4. History: Noodle, The No Bones Dog
@jongraz he had them just last night!! #pug #seniordog #boneless #humor #foryou
♬ original sound - Jonathan
Noodle the pug was one of TikTok's breakout stars this year. Every morning, Noodle's human gives him a sweet pet before trying to place the pup on his feet. In a cross between the Goundhog's Day groundhog and astrology fortunes, Noodle's mood is meant to predict how your day may go. If the dog stays upright, it'll be a great day. But if he topples over? Welp, it's a No Bones Day and you may want to stay inside. More Noodle predictions in 2022, please!
5. History: The #BussItChallenge
@challxn I wanted to play too 🙈 Ib: @erikadavila120
♬ I love women - erika davila
This is the second thirsty trend we included on this list, but it's necessary. Originally created by teen Erika Davila, this challenge put everyone's knees to the test. Whether it be celebs like Rico Nasty or stay at home moms, everybody got a taste of what it's like to be Megan Thee Stallion for the day, and I need all of that confidence back on my timeline right now.
6. History: Renaissance Painting
@n4t4liep Idea credit @rayce2
♬ original sound - Natalie Pienkawa
I know Gen Z loves a vintage moment, but I didn't know we were going this vintage! TikTokers morphed their modern photos and videos into works of Renaissance art. The results are absolutely stunning and honestly, would look right at home in the Louvre. You know what they say, everything old is new again!
7.History: The Backyardigans "Castaways" Song
The Backyardigans’ "Castaways" debuts at #1 on the US Spotify Viral 50 chart.
8.History: "Study With Me" Livestreams
If you've gotta suffer through something as painful as studying, at least you'll have company thanks to all of the "study with me" livestreams flooding our timelines. In the streams, studiers all over the world shared their top study tips and made prepping for that exam just a little less miserable.
9. History: Salmon Bowl
In a matter of days, Emily Mariko's salmon bowl recipe went so viral that it catapulted her following from 223,000 to over 2.4 million in a matter of days. The leftovers hack also inspired many to skip tossing aside old food and create their own second-day favorites.
10.History: Olympians Joining The Clock App
From showing us around the Olympic village to flexing their medals, TikTok gave Olympians a platform to share inside their worlds like never before. And, with the Winter Olympics right around the corner, I can't wait for part 2!
11. History: Red and Blue Filter
@sirmxalot_ I identify as this filter
♬ BLACKOUT. Thekatiebradshaw - KATIE ♡︎
When In The Heights hit theaters, an audio clip of two main characters, Usnavi and Vanessa, quickly went viral. Their heated exchange started off as something fun for people online to play both parts of, but it quickly encouraged TikTok to create a filter that lets users transform from a masculine aesthetic to a feminine aesthetic with a literal blink of the eyes. Teen users coming into their identity and queer kids with fluid genders found a particular love for the feature, which allowed them to see themselves in a new light.
12.Less Than A Vibe: Jerking
Gen Z is trying to learn how to do the jerk on tik tok. Dang we really getting old yall.
13.Less Than A Vibe: A TikTok Dance for "Thot Shit" by Megan Thee Stallion
This video is a sociology class.
14.Less Than A Vibe: Inverted Filter
Me calling my dentist 13 years later to tell her I’m ready for that jaw surgery after accidentally using the inverted filter on tiktok
15.Less Than A Vibe: Feta Pasta
Feta lovers everywhere were devastated after TikTok's aspiring chefs completely cleared shelves of the cheese when the feta pasta recipe went viral. While the meal is both delicious and super simple to prepare, let's all agree to focus on some new recipes in 2022 (or at least until the feta restocks).
16.Less Than A Vibe: Millennial vs. Gen Z Wars
Can't we all just agree to get along? The culture wars between millennials and Gen Zers continued to rage in 2021, with Gen Z roasting basically everything millennials have ever loved, from their beloved side parts and skinny jeans to their obsession with '90s nostalgia and talking about which Hogwarts house they're in. Don't worry though: millennials got their revenge by pointing out that they once were the cool kids and that someday, Gen Z will get made fun of by future generations.
17.Less Than A Vibe: Vinyl Becoming A Trend
Step aside, Spotify. TikTok found a love of vinyl in 2021, which was music to everyone's ears until it resulted in a record shortage. I mean, even Queen Adele had to finish 30 six months ahead of schedule if she wanted to ensure the vinyl version would hit shelves the same day as it was released in CD-form and on streaming sites.
18.Less Than A Vibe: Buffering
Without fail, every single time a buffering vid pops up on my FYP, I'm convinced that my phone is officially broken, until I realize that I'm instead suffering through yet another buffering TikTok, complete with that dreaded spinning wheel. While the trend is supposed to symbolize something that doesn't add up, it instead just annoyed the heck out of everyone.
19.Less Than A Vibe: The Co-Opting Of "Corvette, Corvette"
20.Less Than A Vibe: Sprinting Through Versailles
Everything about this trend stresses me out, so this is my formal request to leave it in 2021. This filter puts users' faces on the body of Marie Antoinette as she's sprinting through the palace of Versailles. Creators took it to the next level and used the filter to riff on everything from running to tell their BFF the top-secret information they promised they wouldn't spill to putting their pup's face in place of the princess's face. While it was funny at first, maybe we can pick a new historical figure to filter in 2022.
21.Less Than A Vibe: Calling Things "Cheugy"
Ahhh, the word everyone loves to hate! Like it or not, 2021 was dominated by the cheugy phenomenon. If something's cheugy, it's basic and no longer trendy: think pumpkin spice lattes and girl boss culture. As we head into 2022, Gen Z has declared that using the word cheugy is, well, cheugy, so I guess we better hang up our blanket scarves and Rae Dunn pottery.
Did we miss something? Let us know which 2021 TikTok trends will go down in history — and which we can totally leave behind during the new year — in the comments below!
The year is almost over, and we're looking back on 2021. Check out more from the year here!
