The internet is a strange and wondrous place full of interesting and equally strange people. Sometimes these mystical internet people do things, and those things are caught on camera and subsequently go viral for whatever reason. And thus, “challenge culture” was born.
2016 was a banner year for challenges, and these are just a few of our favorites.
Running Man Challenge
We kicked off 2016 with a modern take on a classic move. The Running Man Challenge was started by University of Maryland basketball players who posted videos of themselves performing the titular dance move to various songs, specifically the 1996 hit “My Boo.”
Mannequin Challenge
The premise of this one is simple: Stand completely still while Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles” plays in the background. The challenge picked up steam around mid-October, with major sports teams, Hillary Clinton and EVEN BEYONCE participating. Viral done right.
#UNameIt Challenge
Just in time for Thanksgiving came the #UNameItChallenge. A remixed version of gospel singer Shirley Caesar picked up viral steam, particularly the portion of her song “Hold My Mule” in which she sings that she’s got “beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes, lamb.” Random AF, but funny nonetheless.
Andy’s Coming/Trump is Coming
With the highly contentious presidential election happening this year, it only makes sense that some challenges would take on a political edge. Thus is the case for the “Andy’s coming!”/”Trump is coming!” challenge. Originally, the challenge would show a group of people immediately dropping to the floor when the person filming the clip would shout that Andy—yes, from “Toy Story”—was en route. In the wake of Trump’s election, however, the internet switched gears, with the person filming the clip shouting “Trump is coming!” and inciting those in the video (primarily people of color and women) to sprint every which way.
Water Bottle Flipping Challenge
When Michael Senatore flipped a water bottle successfully at his high school talent show, there was no way he could have known that he would become a viral hit and gain the ire of every parent who’s ever had to listen to the sound of water bottles smacking the ground repeatedly. It’s simple enough in theory: Record yourself or a friend flipping a water bottle so that it stands up straight at the end. Have yourself a time.
Backpack Challenge
Just when you thought challenges couldn’t get any stupider, teenagers started throwing backpacks at each other … for no apparent reason other than to post it on the internet. In the backpack challenge, one lone brave soul runs through a tunnel of their closest friends throwing their backpacks at full force. Kids these days.
#TZAnthem Challenge
Even if you don’t know this challenge, you probably know the song. “JuJu on Dat Beat” by TZ Anthem was given the challenge treatment starting with 15-year-old Zay Hilfiger, who created the now-viral set of dance moves set to the song—which coincidentally is set over the beat of Crime Mob’s “Knuck If You Buck.” Layers. So many layers.
@shelbielbostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com
