#InMyFeelingsChallenge

A viral dance challenge where participants jump out of a moving car to dance alongside it to Drake’s song “In My Feelings,” particularly the opening lyrics about “Kiki.”

Quick Facts

Origin Story

The #InMyFeelingsChallenge was created by comedian and social media personality Shiggy (born Shaquille Mitchell) on June 29, 2018. Days after Drake released “In My Feelings,” Shiggy posted an Instagram video of himself dancing on a Brooklyn street to the song’s opening lyrics: “Kiki, do you love me? Are you riding?”

The dance featured distinctive moves: stepping side to side, making a heart shape with hands, and mimicking driving a car. The video quickly went viral, but the challenge truly exploded when someone added a dangerous twist: performing the dance while jumping out of a slowly moving car.

This risky variation became the defining version of the challenge. Participants would ride in a car, open the door while the vehicle was still moving, jump out, dance alongside it, and film the whole thing. The danger was part of the appeal—it was daring, visually striking, and created suspenseful content.

The challenge reached peak virality when celebrities joined. Will Smith’s video dancing atop a bridge in Budapest became iconic. NFL players, NBA stars, and musicians participated. Drake himself acknowledged the challenge, further amplifying it.

Timeline

June 2018

• June 29: Drake releases “In My Feelings” on album Scorpion
• June 30: Shiggy posts original dance video
• Early July: Video goes viral, others replicate dance

July 2018

• Mid-July: “Dancing beside moving car” variation emerges
• July 23: Will Smith posts iconic Budapest bridge video
• July 25: Challenge hits mainstream media coverage
• Late July: Police departments begin issuing warnings
• July 30: Major injuries and accidents reported

August 2018

• Early Aug: Peak participation despite safety warnings
• Aug 5: Drake posts compilation video acknowledging fans
• Aug 10: Several countries issue formal bans
• Mid-Aug: Public safety campaign against challenge begins
• Late Aug: Natural decline as dangers become widely known

September 2018

• Participation drops sharply after injury reports
• “In My Feelings” tops charts partially due to challenge
• Media retrospectives focus on danger vs. viral appeal

2019-2020

• Occasional attempts at safer indoor versions
• Challenge becomes case study in dangerous viral trends
• Legal consequences for some participants finalized

2021-2023

• Referenced in discussions of TikTok trend safety
• Drake concert performances include audience doing the dance (safely)
• Challenge remembered as infamous example of viral danger

2024-Present

• Recognized as cautionary tale in social media safety
• “Kiki” remains part of popular culture vernacular
• Original dance (without car danger) still performed occasionally

Cultural Impact

The In My Feelings Challenge represented a turning point in how platforms and authorities responded to viral trends. The dangerous car element forced Instagram, YouTube, and others to take stronger stances on removing harmful content, setting precedents for future moderation.

The challenge demonstrated the double-edged sword of virality. Drake’s song benefited enormously—“In My Feelings” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks, with the challenge driving much of its streaming success. Yet the associated injuries created negative publicity that complicated the celebration.

The phrase “Kiki, do you love me?” entered broader cultural lexicon, referenced in contexts far beyond the song. The challenge also highlighted how quickly internet trends could spread globally—within weeks, participants were filming themselves from Mumbai to Madrid.

For Drake, it was a mixed blessing. The organic viral moment provided unprecedented promotion, but his association with a dangerous trend created public relations challenges. He tried to navigate this by acknowledging the positive creativity while subtly discouraging the dangerous car element.

Notable Moments

• Will Smith’s Budapest video: Hollywood star dancing atop a bridge became the challenge’s most iconic moment (20M+ views)
• Ciara and Russell Wilson: Celebrity couple’s version set social media on fire
• New York Police dance video: NYPD officers performed safe version as community outreach
• Drake’s compilation post: Artist acknowledged challenge by sharing fan videos
• LaLa Anthony’s rooftop version: Safe variation atop NYC building
• Multiple accident videos: Went viral as cautionary examples
• Miami police arrest: Woman arrested for jumping out of moving car on highway

Controversies

Public safety crisis: The challenge’s most defining controversy was its danger. Participants suffered injuries ranging from scrapes to concussions, broken bones, and even deaths. At least six fatalities were attributed to challenge-related accidents globally.

Traffic disruptions: Videos showed participants blocking roads, causing traffic jams, and creating hazardous conditions for other drivers. Police in multiple cities issued formal warnings and citations.

Legal consequences: Several participants faced criminal charges, including reckless endangerment, endangering others, and traffic violations. Some lost driver’s licenses.

Platform responsibility: Critics argued Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter took too long to remove dangerous videos and issue warnings, prioritizing engagement over safety.

Parental concern: The challenge sparked debates about monitoring children’s social media participation and the influence of dangerous trends.

Cultural ownership: As the challenge spread, some noted Shiggy received insufficient credit or compensation despite creating the original dance.

International incidents: India, Spain, Egypt, and other countries saw serious accidents, prompting government warnings and social media campaigns against participation.

Variations & Related Tags

• #KikiChallenge - Alternative primary name (especially internationally)
• #DoTheShiggy - Credit to original creator
• #KikiDoYouLoveMe - Lyric-based tag
• #InMyFeelingsVideoChallenge - Full descriptive version
• #DrakeDance - Generic Drake-focused tag
• #SafeKikiChallenge - Indoor/stationary safety version
• #KikiChallengeFail - Accident and fail compilations
• #DontDoTheKikiChallenge - Anti-challenge safety warnings

By The Numbers

• Total videos posted: 4+ million (estimated)
• “In My Feelings” weeks at #1: 10 (Billboard Hot 100)
• Will Smith’s video views: 20+ million (Instagram)
• Documented injuries: 100+ serious cases
• Fatalities attributed: 6+ globally
• Police warnings issued: 25+ departments/countries
• Citations and arrests: 50+ documented cases
• Song streams during peak: 50+ million weekly (Spotify)

References

• Shiggy’s original Instagram post
• Billboard chart data (summer 2018)
• Police department public safety warnings
• Hospital and medical reports
• News coverage (CNN, BBC, New York Times)
• Academic studies on viral challenge safety
• Drake interviews and social media posts

Last updated: February 2026 Part of the Hashpedia project — hashpedia.org