Overview
#WatchMeWhip (officially “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)”) was a 2015 viral dance sensation that dominated Vine, YouTube, and early Instagram, becoming one of the last major pre-TikTok viral dances.
Origin & History
Atlanta rapper Silentó released “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” in June 2015, combining two existing dance moves—the Whip and the Nae Nae—into a single instructional track. The song exploded on Vine, with millions of users posting 6-second clips.
The Whip involved leaning back with one arm extended (like cracking a whip), while the Nae Nae featured swaying side-to-side with arm movements, originally popularized by Atlanta group We Are Toonz.
The track peaked at #3 on Billboard Hot 100 and became inescapable at school dances, sporting events, and family gatherings.
Cultural Impact
Last Vine-era mega-hit: Represented peak Vine culture before the platform’s 2017 shutdown, with celebrities, athletes, and politicians all posting Whip/Nae Nae videos.
Sports world adoption: NFL players performed it in end zone celebrations; NBA teams used it during timeouts; even presidential candidates attempted it on campaign trails.
School dance takeover: Became the default middle school dance anthem of 2015-2016, replacing older staples temporarily.
Dance move appropriation debate: Highlighted ongoing issues of white mainstream culture adopting Black dance moves without credit (the Nae Nae originated in Atlanta’s Black community years earlier).
Key Dance Moves
The Whip:
- Lean back with weight on one leg
- Extend opposite arm out like cracking a whip
- Snap arm back quickly
The Nae Nae:
- Place one hand behind head
- Sway hips side-to-side
- Wave other arm in sync with movement
Additional moves mentioned in lyrics: “Stanky Leg,” “Break Your Legs,” “Bop.”
Legacy
The song launched Silentó to brief stardom (he struggled to replicate success with follow-ups). More significantly, it represented the transitional moment between Vine’s 6-second clip culture and TikTok’s longer-form dance challenges.
Tragically, Silentó was arrested for murder charges in 2021, complicating the song’s legacy.
Related Hashtags
- #NaeNae
- #StankyLeg (2008)
- #Dougie (2010)
- #DabChallenge (2015-2016)
- #HitEveryBeat (2020)
Sources
- Billboard: “Silentó’s ‘Watch Me’ Hits Top 3” (August 2015)
- The Atlantic: “The Whip, the Nae Nae, and Cultural Appropriation” (2015)
- NPR: “Silentó Charged with Murder” (February 2021)