Dance trends have become one of the internet’s favourite languages.
All it takes is one catchy song, a simple set of steps, and a phone camera, and within days, the same move is being copied by everyone from your neighbour’s teenage daughter to global pop stars.
What started with short looping clips in the early 2010s exploded into a worldwide phenomenon once TikTok arrived, turning ordinary people and unknown songs into overnight sensations.
Several Ghanaian artistes have released songs that got the world jumping on this trend. Here are some of the dance trends that put Ghana on the map.
1. Azonto — Fuse ODG (2012)
Released as the Azonto wave was building, these tracks came with dance routines fans were encouraged to copy online. They carried Azonto into UK and US Ghanaian diaspora communities, turning it into one of Africa’s first viral dance exports, long before TikTok existed.
@mattieb28 You know we have to hit the Azonto #momanddaughter #momdaughter #foryoupagе #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #fypage ♬ Azonto – Fuse ODG
@ghanafuo_fie The best time fr #ghana #tiktokghana #ghanafuo_fie #azonto #fuseodg #antenna #fyp #ghanatotheworld ♬ original sound – Ghanafoɔ_fie🇬🇭
2. Akwaaba — GuiltyBeatz ft. Mr Eazi, Patapaa & Pappy Kojo (2018)
Released with a cartoon-style music video showing off original dance moves, “Akwaaba,” meaning “welcome” in Twi, quickly turned into the #AkwaabaDanceChallenge. Celebrities like Genevieve Nnaji and Juliet Ibrahim joined in, and the song reportedly reached audiences as far as Japan.
@zinanggie AKWAABA 🇬🇭Energy🔥🔥 Let the Afro beats take control With my sist @_dewigendisdimas ❤️🔥 🎶 Akwaaba 🇬🇭 – guiltybeatz 🧠 best choreo ofc by @damla.amanat 🩷🩷 📍 @wstudiobali #zumba #afrobeats #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fypシ゚viral ♬ original sound – Anggie Zumba
@karinapalmira Reply to @thtacas @lazio.mimite dancing at Nairobi🇰🇪 airport 😅✈️ @mreazi ♬ AKWAABA – GuiltyBeatz & Mr Eazi
3. Kupe Dance — A-Star (2018)
Choreographer Incredible Zigi created the Kupe move, a clap for attention followed by a peace sign, then brought in London-based Ghanaian artist A-Star to record the official soundtrack. The challenge went global after four French influencers, nicknamed the “Kupe Boys,” posted a video dancing to it. It spread across Africa and the diaspora, was performed on Janet Jackson’s Jimmy Fallon comeback, and took A-Star on tour to the US, Canada, Nigeria and England.
@izzyyyysam Kupe vibe #izzyyyysam #dance #fyp #afrobeat #kupe ♬ original sound – MLB
Ghanaian song, Kupe Dance by A-Star went viral, after 4 French Influencers danced to the song.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) August 21, 2025
They were nicknamed the Kupe Boys and the Kupe Challenge broke the internet.
They performed in Nigeria and England in 2018.
The Ghanaian Artiste, A-Star toured USA and Canada. pic.twitter.com/ozPYq6b2Jt
4. Touch It — KiDi (2022)
Released as the lead single ahead of his “Golden Boy” album, “Touch It” came with a dance routine that was pushed heavily online. The challenge helped turn it into one of KiDi’s most streamed songs to date.
@tiff_drees Part 3| pass pass pass 🔥 dc: me W|@Naz Endam Tuna #touchit #duo #dance ♬ Touch It (Remix) – KiDi & Tyga
@carolinadiazof @paumarin14 @soyalonsotorres @jesus_diazv ♬ Touch It – KiDi
5. Terminator — King Promise (2023)
A snippet of King Promise dancing with choreographer Dancegodlloyd was shared online ahead of the song’s official release. Within days, “Terminator” reached No. 1 on TikTok and on major streaming platforms including Boomplay, Spotify and Apple Music.
@iamkingpromise “TERMINATOR” on the way ! Lets get 1000 remakes & i’ll drop ! Lets gooo 💚 cc @Dance God 🦅🇬🇭 🦅🇬🇭 @Djbreezygh ! #fyp #foryou #music ♬ TERMINATOR by King Promise SNIPPET – iamkingpromise
@kellycourtneyy dc by @iamkingpromise ♬ Terminator (feat. Young Jonn) – King Promise
6. “One Leg” — Jay Hover (2023)
This one started as an actual dance lesson for people who “couldn’t dance.” The tutorial video went viral on TikTok first, and once demand grew, Jay Hover released it as a full song, which caught fire all over again.
@emmaa_roos One leg ☝🏽😁 @kins_academia @Jay Hover ❤️ #oneleg #onelegchallenge #onelegechallenge #onelegedance #onelege ##nwe #foryourpage #chopdaily #afrodance #afrobeats #tiktokchallenge #jayhovergh ♬ One Leg – JAY HOVER
@valuhenaoo1 •Escribe CELES letra por letra sin ser interrumpido @Jay Hover #OneLegChallenge #tiktok #parati ♬ One Lege – Jay Charles
7. Kakalika — DopeNation (2025)
Released by twin duo B2 and Twist (DopeNation), “Kakalika” peaked at No. 35 on the US Billboard Afrobeat Chart and No. 2 on 3Music’s Monster Hitz chart in early 2026. It has become a football goal celebration used by the Black Stars, Ghana’s Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and European-based players including Chelsea’s Chloe Kelly and Olivia Smith, plus Barcelona and PSG stars.
@anouk.grm Good vibes only 🇬🇭🔥#kakalikadance #ghana ♬ Kakalika – DopeNation
@yawmoveofficial No country has celebrated Kakalika yet but Ghana 🇬🇭 is going to open up #kakalika #fypviralシ #fyp @MPENTENKWA HENE @𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧 🌟 @Man Stevoo🦅 ♬ Kakalika – DopeNation
From Fuse ODG’s Azonto to DopeNation’s Kakalika, Ghana keeps proving it doesn’t just make music, it makes the world move.
As long as there’s a phone camera and a beat worth copying, chances are the next global dance challenge is already brewing somewhere in Accra, Kumasi or Tamale.
