TikTokOur year-end report celebrates creativity, trends, creators, movements and moments, powered by our awesome community
TikTok is a unique place where culture starts and where creativity knows no bounds - where anyone can discover, create, and share content they love. In 2021, over 1 billion people turned to TikTok to be entertained, to find and share their joy with others, and learn new things.
This year, our African community discovered new ways to express creativity, championed teams, and the causes we care about, and found new favorites - from recipes to new music trends and the celebration of African culture across the continent.
"It's been incredible to see how our African community has continued to grow and support one another this year on the platform. We've seen trends such as the recent Love Nwantiti start and spread across For You feeds, globally. We're humbled to see how much joy our community has brought us this year, and we're excited to experience more incredible moments as we continue this journey together," said Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok Content Operations Manager, Africa.
“There's something really special about TikTok's diverse global community that people just can't find anywhere else. For us, 2021 was a year for connection and we’ve seen people on TikTok laughing together, entertaining us, starting cultural phenomenons, and teaching us new things. It's been incredible to see the depths of entertainment and creativity from this community, and we're delighted to celebrate all the ways we've come together this year on TikTok," added Vanessa Pappas, Chief Operating Officer, TikTok.
Today, join us as we celebrate all the trends, moments, and movements that made 2021 a year on TikTok that was one-of-a-kind.
TikTok videos transcend cultures and borders to reach For You feeds everywhere. 2021 saw For You feeds filled with trending videos across beloved categories including comedy, nostalgia, animals, and family videos. Check out the videos that make up some of this year's memorable moments.
@sachi_hime96 – local Anime at play (South Africa)
@shandorlarenty – one of a kind animal love (South Africa)
@wian - Magic at its finest (South Africa)
@lxndi.nkengana - Comedy School Life (South Africa)
@Zayaan4 - Local is lekker (South Africa)
@beryl.ama - Ragnar Drill (Nigeria)
@ckay_yo - Enjoying Love Nwantiti (Nigeria)
@Jennifrank29 - The queen of slow-mo (Nigeria)
@Beryl.ama - Viral TikTok star (Nigeria)
@Twinslovez - Prank of African Mom (Nigeria)
@vick_brandon - He's crazy! #vicbrandon (Kenya)
@azz_iad - Our Queen,#azziad (Kenya)
@mr_mbilimbili - Don’t scare me, please (Kenya)
@theroamingchef - Welcome to #FoodTok (Kenya)
Whether TikTok videos make you smile or laugh in unexpected ways, one thing's for sure: our community sparks joy. This year, family, celebs, and entertainment culture are some of the popular content categories that delighted our community. Take in the good vibes from the videos that brought us so much joy this year.
@chadjones957 – a family jamming to Amapiano (South Africa)
@zayaan4 – back to school days we can relate to (South Africa)
@khanyisa_jaceni - talk about self love! (South Africa)
@clementmaosa - who said public figures don’t have a goofy side? (South Africa)
@brwnskn - Nurse Thandi (South Africa)
@danceglitch - Wait for it! (Nigeria)
@ediboons - Its mosquitos again (Nigeria)
@emmyjake - Matching with my father (Nigeria)
@kingbeerah - Oops! (Nigeria)
@kelvinikwara - Winning the hearts of all Kenyans (Kenya)
@justtotallyrandom - Just totally Random (Kenya)
@mukenyavibes - Selfies are the worst (Kenya)
@yessjamal - High jump! (Kenya)
From homemade beats to classics making a comeback, the songs on your For You feed made you hit repeat. In 2021, trending songs on TikTok came from established, emerging, and breakthrough artists, spanning a range of genres as diverse as our community itself. Here are a few of our community's favorite songs this year from Amapiano to Afrobeats and more.
Siyathandana – Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Banyana - DJ Maphorisa & Tyler ICU (South Africa)
Iyamemeza - DJ Sumbody feat. Drip Gogo & The Lowkeys (South Africa)
TikTok Sisonke - Thozi Music feat Sphokuhle, Khanyisa & PD Jokes (South Africa)
Cognac Queen - Meg The Stallion (South Africa)
Love Nwantiti - Ckay (Nigeria)
Lie - Kizz Daniel (Nigeria)
Big Thug Boys - AV (Nigeria)
Sukari - Shanahmendoza (Kenya)
Naanzaje - Diamond Platnumz (Kenya)
Running (To You) - sn_hassan (Kenya)
Nimekuzoea - Nandy (Kenya)
As the beating heart of TikTok, creators make our community what it is today. We're humbled and excited to see so many creators entertain and connect with communities as well as launch careers on and off the platform. Here are the TikTok creators who broke out and hit new heights this year.
@williamlast_krm (South Africa)
@khanyisa_jaceni (South Africa)
@witney8 (South Africa)
@MooyaMusunga (South Africa)
@Lloyiso (South Africa)
@shandorlarenty (South Africa)
@sphokuhle.n (South Africa)
@Ckay_yo (Nigeria)
@Liquorose (Nigeria)
@softmadeit (Nigeria)
@vick_Brandon (Kenya)
@Azz_iad (Kenya)
@justtotallyrandom (Kenya)
Creativity has no limits on TikTok, and our community continues to discover and create new ways to share entertaining content with the world. Here are the TikTok trends made possible by our tools and cool effects, and your creativity in 2021
Photo crop - @pd_jokes (South Africa)
Freeze frame - @karl_kugelmann (South Africa)
Body Zoom - @Zayaan4 (South Africa)
Glow Bling - @witney8 (South Africa)
Real me - @Ani_Gifty (Nigeria)
Face Zoom - @r0dn3y_ (Nigeria)
Slow Reverse Zoom - @__iremide (Nigeria)
TikTok Times - @denniskarari (Kenya)
Big Belly - @sialoqueen (Kenya)
This year, TikTok continued to be a safe space for creators and our community to come together, lift each other up, and support the causes they care about. Our global community supported causes they cared most about throughout the year, including mental health, women empowerment and self-love. Find out more about the impactful creators and public figures who continue to fight for positive change.
Woman pilot of color - @pilot_onthegram (South Africa)
A wake-up call to love yourself - @paballokgware (South Africa)
Local Dr. recognized by the World Health Organisation - @doctor.siya (South Africa)
Rising Voices by TikTok South Africa - Empowering Creators of colour - @TikTok.SouthAfrica (South Africa)
Speak out against Gender-based violence - @simplypeace_ (Nigeria)
Taking Africa to the world - @__iremide (Nigeria)
Let's change our money habits - @moneygossip (Kenya)
Sports is one of the things that brings our people together and in 2021, we witnessed a rise in local sports content on TikTok ranging from soccer to rugby and general sporting entertainment. Let's look back on some of the videos that made our community roar with passion
#Bhopa vibes on the field - @supersportunited (South Africa)
Springbok's #MyRugbyMoment - @Springboks.rugby (South Africa)
High Jump! - @yessjamal (Kenya)
National Team Training - @collinsinjera (Kenya)
Who does he think he is? - @alli.nurudeen (Nigeria)
Whatever you're interested in, whether it's #careertok or #FoodTok, on TikTok you can find and connect with a community that shares your passion. This year, some of the popular global communities focused on pets, sports, and education. Creators found their future in the stars by sharing astrological charts, rolled the dice on DnD TikTok, and helped calm viewers with oddly satisfying cleaning videos. Find out more about our communities on the rise this year.
The Throwbacks: Trends inspired by #NostalgiaTok
In 2021, we saw a resurgence of trends being both discovered and rediscovered by our diverse community. Locally, our community shared favorite throwbacks of their parents, pastimes and first-time reactions to trends related to popular categories such as entertainment, beauty and care, and games. Let's look back on the trends that made us reminisce and revel in nostalgia.
#OurParents - @shorttempered_goat (South Africa)
#OurParents - @witney8 (South Africa)
Back to school days - @zayaan4 (South Africa)
Safarina - @moghelingz (South Africa)
Eats on Repeat: #FoodTok trends that got our community hard at work in the kitchen
Foodies around the world continued to find a home on TikTok this year. In Africa, we’ve seen proudly local cuisine come alive on the platform through hashtags such as #MzansiFoodie, #FoodiesKenya, #RepYourHeritage - check out all the recipes and food hacks TikTok creators plugged us with this year.
Oreo in a cup - @whisksandladle (South Africa)
They are never going to know - @zaynabparuk (South Africa)
Funny food challenge - @haanoocadee (Kenya)
#FoodiesKenya- @Theroamingchef (Kenya)
Ask On TikTok
To celebrate your own year on TikTok, starting today, we're also launching #AskOnTikTok, a new Q&A feature inviting you to look back on your most memorable moments in 2021. Simply choose which questions you want to answer about your year in the app. People can choose a question like "What was your 2021 highlight?" or "what was your happiest moment of 2021?" and answer it in a new creation or by sharing a previous TikTok video.
It's a CELEBRATION - #TTCreatorFest - 11 to 12 December 2021 - JOIN US VIRTUALLY!
Join us as we celebrate the talent that came out of 2021 on TikTok at the 2021 #TTCreatorFest takes place on Saturday, 11 December at 10:00 (SAST) & Sunday, 12 December at 09:00 (SAST) on TikTok. To access the festivities, check out the Discover Page on TikTok and click on the #TTCreatorFest banner to access the sessions. Day 1 of the all-virtual conference-style LIVES will be dedicated to looking back at the most significant TikTok moments of 2021 and the trendsetters behind them. Day 2 of the fest will be dedicated to empowering new creators and sharing tips on how to become a success on TikTok in 2022 & beyond.
Want to know more about what made 2021-of-a-kind? Visit here to learn more about the Year on TikTok.
New to TikTok? Join our community by simply downloading the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.
