LotteryChallenge

Overview

#LotteryChallenge (stylized as #LOTTERY) was a late-2019/early-2020 TikTok dance sensation to K CAMP’s “Lottery (Renegade),” featuring a simple, catchy routine that became one of the platform’s first massive dance challenges, though it sparked major debates about crediting Black creators.

Origin & History

In December 2019, 14-year-old Black dancer Jalaiah Harmon created the “Renegade” choreography to K CAMP’s “Lottery” in her Atlanta home and posted it on Instagram. The dance was reposted to TikTok by user @global.jones, where it went massively viral.

However, Jalaiah initially received zero credit as white TikTok influencers like Charli D’Amelio performed the dance to millions of followers without attribution. The Renegade became synonymous with Charli, not Jalaiah.

February 2020 correction: The New York Times published “The Original Renegade,” exposing Jalaiah as the true creator and sparking conversations about Black TikTok creators not receiving credit or compensation for viral dances.

Choreography Breakdown

Signature moves:

1. Arm swings: Side-to-side arm extensions
2. Woah: Sharp freeze with arm across chest
3. Hip sway: Weight shift with attitude
4. Hand claps: Syncopated clapping pattern
5. Shoulder bounce: Isolation on “Lottery, lottery”
6. Ending freeze: Dramatic pose to close

The routine was 15 seconds, perfectly suited for TikTok’s format, and simple enough for mass participation while complex enough to look impressive.

Cultural Impact & Controversy

Credit erasure: Jalaiah’s story became case study in how Black creators’ work is appropriated without credit on social media platforms.

The “Renegade” name confusion: Many called it the “Renegade Dance,” referencing the song’s subtitle, but this further obscured Jalaiah’s authorship.

Charli D’Amelio’s rise: Charli’s Renegade videos helped her become TikTok’s most-followed creator (2019-2020), though she didn’t create the choreography. After the NYT article, Charli publicly credited Jalaiah.

NBA All-Star Weekend (2020): Jalaiah was invited to perform the dance at NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago, finally receiving mainstream recognition.

Black TikTok strike (2021): The Renegade credit controversy contributed to #BlackTikTokStrike, where Black creators refused to create new dances to highlight their uncredited labor.

Legacy & Ongoing Debates

Platform responsibility: TikTok faced criticism for not building better attribution systems for choreographers.

Influencer accountability: Discussions about whether influencers have responsibility to research and credit originators before posting.

Monetization gap: While white influencers gained millions of followers (and brand deals) from Jalaiah’s choreography, she initially gained nothing.

Cultural appropriation: Highlighted broader pattern of Black cultural production being exploited by white mainstream culture.

Positive outcome: Jalaiah eventually gained recognition, brand partnerships, and opportunities, though only after significant public pressure.

Related Hashtags

• #Renegade (alternate name for the dance)
• #JalaiahHarmon (creator)
• #CharliDAmelio (popularizer)
• #BlackTikTokStrike (2021 protest)
• #CreditBlackCreators

Sources

• The New York Times: “The Original Renegade” (February 2020)
• NPR: “How Black TikTok Creators Are Fighting For Credit” (June 2020)
• Billboard: “K CAMP’s ‘Lottery’ Goes Viral Thanks to TikTok’s Renegade Dance” (2020)
• Teen Vogue: “Jalaiah Harmon Finally Gets Her Flowers for Creating the Renegade” (2020)