The 12 Most Iconic Songs That Defined The Musical.ly Era (Before It Became TikTok)

The digital landscape of short-form video has been dominated by one name for years, but before the reign of TikTok, there was Musical.ly. This pioneering app, which officially merged with its successor in 2018, was the birthplace of the modern viral music trend, turning everyday users into "musers" and catapulting niche songs into global phenomena. Today, in late 2025, a deep dive into the Musically archives reveals a vibrant, unique soundscape—a collection of hip-hop, pop, and dance tracks that are now inextricably linked to the app's signature lip-syncs, slow-motion effects, and complex 'transition' videos.

The songs that topped the Musically charts were not just background noise; they were the essential soundtrack to an entire generation’s creative output, laying the foundation for the massive music discovery engine that exists today. From dance challenges to dramatic skits, these tracks became the ultimate currency for fame on the platform. We’re taking a nostalgic look back at the most unforgettable, chart-dominating songs that truly defined the Musically experience from 2015 to 2018.

The Musical.ly Phenomenon: A Brief History and Key Figures

Musical.ly, Inc. was the original short-form video powerhouse, a platform that perfected the art of the lip-sync video. The app's history is a fascinating case study in viral technology and corporate acquisition, providing critical context for why certain songs became so popular.

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• Founders: Alex Zhu and Luyu Yang, two Chinese entrepreneurs, launched the first prototype of the app in April 2014.
• Concept: Initially, the founders envisioned an educational video platform, but after realizing its lack of traction, they pivoted to a 15-second music video creation tool, focusing on lip-syncing and special effects.
• Rise to Fame: The app gained massive popularity in the United States and Europe between 2015 and 2017, becoming a cultural phenomenon, especially among teenagers.
• Key Muser Entities: The platform launched the careers of early social media celebrities, known as "musers," including Loren Gray, Baby Ariel, Jacob Sartorius, and the Dobre Twins, who were instrumental in pushing the most popular songs and dance challenges.
• Acquisition and Rebrand: In late 2017, the Chinese technology company ByteDance acquired Musical.ly. On August 2, 2018, the app was officially merged with ByteDance’s own short-video platform, creating the unified global brand known today as TikTok.

The Soundtrack of the Muser Generation: Hip-Hop and Pop Dominance

The musical landscape of Musically was largely shaped by two genres: high-energy hip-hop and catchy, radio-friendly pop music. The best songs for the app featured clear, rhythmic sections, dramatic beat drops, or memorable, quotable lyrics perfect for lip-syncing and quick, snappy transitions. This list highlights the tracks that achieved peak topical authority on the platform, becoming synonymous with the app’s golden age.

The Essential Musically Viral Hits (2016–2018)

These are the songs that every "muser" had in heavy rotation, often associated with a specific dance or video style that spread like wildfire across the app.

1. "Rolex" by Ayo & Teo (2017)

   This track is arguably the quintessential Musically song. It inspired the viral #RolexChallenge, a dance challenge where users mimed looking at their wristwatches. The song’s catchy, repetitive beat and simple, repeatable dance moves made it a perfect storm for the 15-second format. The duo even released an official dance instructional video, cementing its status as a Musically-era classic.

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2. "Panda" by Desiigner (2016)

   A massive commercial success, "Panda" also became a lip-sync staple on Musically. Its energetic, trap-infused beat and Desiigner’s unique vocal delivery provided the perfect backdrop for dramatic, quick-cut videos and high-energy dance routines. The song was a cornerstone of the platform’s hip-hop content, showcasing the app's ability to drive mainstream music trends.

3. "Bad and Boujee" by Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert (2016)

   Before achieving its #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, "Bad and Boujee" found a huge audience on Musically. The song's cultural moment, especially the iconic "Raindrop, drop top" line, was frequently used for comedic skits and dramatic lip-sync performances. It exemplified the platform’s role in turning internet memes and cultural references into global music hits.

4. "Closer" by The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey (2016)

   As one of the biggest pop songs of its time, "Closer" was inescapable on Musically. It was a favorite for users creating romantic or emotional lip-syncs, often using the app's slow-motion and reverse effects to add a layer of melodrama. The song’s massive popularity helped bridge the gap between radio pop and the emerging short-form video culture.

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5. "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran (2017)

   The rhythmic, simple beat of this global smash hit made it incredibly versatile for Musically. It was used for everything from simple dance moves to background music for tutorials and lifestyle videos. Its universal appeal ensured it remained at the top of the app's trending sounds for months.

6. "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber (2017)

   The record-breaking Latin pop crossover was a huge entity on Musically. The Spanish-language track provided a fun, high-energy option for muser dance challenges and international content creators, proving the app's global reach and its power to amplify non-English music.

The Deep Cuts: Musically's Hidden Gems and Trend-Starters

Beyond the radio hits, Musically was a hotbed for unexpected viral tracks, often older songs or deep cuts that were perfect for the app's unique video styles, particularly the complex transition videos and duets.

7. "Don't" by Bryson Tiller (2015)

   This R&B track was a staple for the more emotional and dramatic lip-syncs. The smooth, soulful sound was ideal for users who wanted to showcase their acting skills or create stylized, cinematic short videos, moving away from simple dance routines and toward narrative content.

8. "I'm the One" by DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne (2017)

   The all-star collaboration was perfect for Musically’s duet feature, allowing musers to collaborate virtually or simply switch between the different artist verses. The song’s high-profile nature ensured it was a top choice for aspiring creators looking for maximum visibility.

9. "Swish Swish" by Katy Perry ft. Nicki Minaj (2017)

   While a major pop song, its virality on Musically was driven by its strong beat and dramatic build-ups, which were perfect for 'transition' videos. Users would change outfits, scenery, or even their appearance mid-video, timed perfectly to the song's beat drops and sound effects.

10. "Thunder" by Imagine Dragons (2017)

    The anthemic, stadium-rock sound of "Thunder" was often used for inspirational or comedic skits, particularly the dramatic, booming chorus. It was a great example of how Musically broadened its musical scope beyond just hip-hop and dance music.

11. "The Greatest" by Sia ft. Kendrick Lamar (2016)

    Sia's powerful vocal performance and the song’s uplifting message made it a favorite for elaborate, high-production-value Musically videos. It was often used by top musers like Loren Gray and Baby Ariel to create artistic, emotional short films, pushing the boundaries of the platform's creative limits.

12. "In My Feelings" by Drake (2018)

    The iconic #InMyFeelingsChallenge, or #KekeChallenge, emerged right at the tail end of the Musically era and the beginning of the TikTok transition. This song is the ultimate bridge between the two platforms, demonstrating the evolution from simple lip-syncing to complex, real-world dance challenges. Its massive, unprecedented virality cemented the short-video app's influence on the global music industry.

The Enduring Legacy of Musically’s Viral Music

The songs that dominated the Musically charts are more than just a nostalgic playlist; they represent the first true proving ground for music in the age of short-form video. The app taught the music industry a crucial lesson: a 15-second clip can be more powerful than a million-dollar music video. The focus on a catchy hook, a rhythmic section, or an easily reproducible dance move—the core elements of the Musically Dance Challenge—is a strategy that continues to define music discovery and chart success on TikTok today. The musers and the music of the 2015-2018 era were the pioneers, and their iconic songs remain a vital part of social media history. The transition from Musically to TikTok was seamless, but the cultural impact of these original viral hits remains a powerful memory for the millions who were part of the first generation of short-video creators.