5 Nigerian Songs That Became Global TikTok Anthems

Unavailable” – Davido ft. Musa Keys

The Challenge: A signature “hand-flicking” and shoulder-rolling move that was as smooth as the beat itself.

The Global Leap: Davido intentionally partnered with top choreographers to create a dance that was simple enough for anyone to learn but looked “cool” on camera. From Lagos to London, everyone from K-pop idols to American celebrities was seen doing the “Unavailable” dance, cementing it as one of the biggest. Afrobeats songs of 2023–2024.

“Tshwala Bam” – TitoM & Yuppe (ft. S.N.E & EeQue)

The Challenge: A synchronised neck and shoulder “shunting” move that requires high energy and perfect timing.

The Global Leap: Though originally a South African Amapiano track, it became a massive anthem in Nigeria and beyond. The “Tshwala Bam” challenge went viral after a video of three young men dancing in sync was shared. Soon, stars like Chris Brown, Jason Derulo, and Burna Boy were attempting the fast-paced moves, racking up over 7 billion views on the platform.

“Love Me JeJe” – Tems

The Challenge: A nostalgic “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) and lifestyle aesthetic challenge that used the song’s breezy, feel-good energy.

The Global Leap: While Tems is known for her vocals rather than “dance” songs, the flip of the classic Seyi Sodimu track became the ultimate soundtrack for summer vibes in 2024. It proved that a song doesn’t need a complex routine to go viral—sometimes it just needs to capture a specific “mood” that creators want to inhabit.

“Gwagwalada” – BNXN ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez

The Challenge: A “vibey” waist-whining and leg-work routine that matched the song’s infectious mid-tempo rhythm.

The Global Leap: The track’s catchy hook—”I enter Gwagwalada”—became a meme and a lifestyle tag. TikTokers globally used the sound to show off their outfits, travel vlogs, and smooth dance steps, pushing the song to the #1 spot on various streaming charts across the continent and parts of Europe.

“Kese (Dance)” – Wizkid

The Challenge: A high-class, rhythmic step challenge that took over TikTok immediately after the release of his Morayo album.

The Global Leap: Wizkid’s return to a more dance-focused sound was a gift to creators. The “Kese” challenge focused on elegance and fluidity, quickly becoming the fastest solo African song to hit 10 million streams on Spotify, largely fueled by the sheer volume of dance videos appearing on the “For You” page globally.