Top Viral Videos | 2016
Honorable mentions who just missed the list are this here, here and here. There were many gems to choose from, but only five spots. I’m embarrassed to disclose the amount of research I did for this. Coulda been a Rhodes Scholar if I put this much time into my studies. Oh well. Let’s not dwell on the past. Actually — let’s. Can we dead “challenges” in the new year? Please? Pretty please? Running man challenge? Yawn. Juju on the beat challenge? Too many words. Mannequin challenge? Zzzz. I can’t name a single time I enjoyed a challenge. My top videos of 2016 in no particular order are as follows.
Chance the Rapper’s So Gone Challenge
I’m a hypocrite — don’t act surprised. 2016 was an all-around terrible year for most of us, but not for Chance the Rapper. His feature on my (former) idol Kanye West’s Ultralight Beam was the verse of the year. Following the release of his highly anticipated mixtape Coloring Book, Chance decided take part in the #SoGoneChallenge — a challenge where people rap over Monica’s So Gone.
“I got the baddest chick on the planet” is the only way to introduce your ladies moving forward, fellas. Anything less is unacceptable. Goddamn, this shit is smooth. How can you watch this video and not smile? In a world where ‘not caring’ is en vogue, it’s dope to see how much he loves his girl. Respected in the hood, adores his boo thing. GET YOU SOMEBODY THAT CAN DO BOTH.
Little Girl’s Prayer
Speaking of Ultralight Beam…
TALK THAT TALK NATALIE. This girl is adorable. As someone who grew up in and goes to church, this was super powerful man. If I was a senior in high school, my yearbook quote would be “We don’t want no devils in the house God. We want the Lord. And that’s it!” Don’t let me down class of 2017.
Birdman Visits Power 105
This video really speaks for itself. Birdman being fed up + Charlamagne poking the bear = comedy gold. Birdman visited The Breakfast Club in April. Here’s what transpired…
- Best Part of This Video — Runner Up — “When my name come up, respek it.” I can relate to this claim. Harry Belafonte has ruined my life. When my name come up, do not sing the Banana Boat song. It’s pronounced Die-yo — not Day-o. Respek it.
- Best Part of This Video Winner — “Y’all finished or y’all done?” This retort is pure genius. By the time the person you’re arguing with processes this, you already out the door. If Hillary woulda dropped this in the second debate, she would be our next president IMO.
You Look So Beautiful
Twitter user’s younger brother took his phone and started recording.
When he dropped the “aight”, my soul left my body. So. Many. Questions.
1. Who was he planning on sending this video to?
2. Why is there gospel music playing in the background?
3. Who taught him that eyebrow move? (He’s wise beyond his years.)
Glad he knows he needs to get his paper up before approaching said lady. I may have heard “don’t nobody want your broke ass” once or twice in my life before.
You Mind If I Wild Out?
Son. The plot twist in this video….
Abandoned crack house. Jean shorts. A grown man twerking. All things I didn’t anticipate commenting on during the first 70% of this video, but alas, here we are. Feel free to use “you mind if I wild out” at all functions when you’re tempted and feel some type of way.
- Me to my boss at next year’s holiday party — “You mind if I wild out?”
- Me to the parent next to me at my daughter’s ballet recital — “You mind if I wild out?”
- Me to my girlfriend at her grandmother’s funeral — “You mind if I wild out?”
Memes
These videos were amazing, but 2016 was really the Year of the Meme (RIP Crying Jordan). I’d be remiss not to highlight classic memes that filled us with joy. Kermit, Mr. Krabs and Arthur — you will all be missed.
ARTHUR’S FIST
HOODED KERMIT
MR. KRABS BLUR
VP BIDEN
CONCEITED’S “I DON’T KNOW ABOUT THAT” FACE
I love you Black Twitter. See y’all in 2017. STAY WOKE.
