Black Beatles

In September 2016, Rae Sremmurd released "Black Beatles," a track that would become their biggest hit and a defining moment of the decade. The song, featuring Gucci Mane and produced by Mike Will Made It, was the third single from the duo's second album, SremmLife 2. It arrived as part of a wave of trap-infused hip-hop that dominated radio, but its path to the top was anything but ordinary. The track's infectious hook and minimalist beat initially gained traction, but it was an unexpected viral trend that catapulted it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Rae Sremmurd and Gucci Mane their first chart-topping single.

Rae Sremmurd, comprised of brothers Slim Jxmmi and Swae Lee, had already made waves with hits like "No Flex Zone" and "Throw Sum Mo," but "Black Beatles" represented a new level of crossover appeal. Gucci Mane, fresh off a prison stint and riding a wave of creative resurgence, added his signature ad-libs and a verse that felt both celebratory and gritty. Mike Will Made It, a frequent collaborator, crafted a beat that was sparse yet hypnotic, built around a simple piano loop and booming 808s. The song's success was not just a commercial victory; it signaled how viral internet culture could directly shape music charts, a trend that has only grown since.

The Mannequin Challenge, a viral phenomenon where people freeze in place while a camera glides through the scene, became inseparable from the track. Hundreds of videos set to "Black Beatles" flooded social media, including one from Hillary Clinton's campaign team and another from the Dallas Cowboys. This organic wave of user-generated content pushed the song to the top of the Hot 100 in December 2016, where it held the number one spot for seven consecutive weeks. The song's reign marked a shift in how hits were made, proving that a catchy beat and a participatory internet could outpace traditional radio promotion. [edit]