The end of the year is quickly approaching and TikTok has unveiled #YearOnTikTok 2021 in celebration of 2021-of-a-kind, which has been made possible by entertainment driven by its community.
This year-end celebration recognises talent and looks back on creativity, trends, creators, movements, and moments that made 2021 one to remember.
Placed under different categories, Year on TikTok 2021 ranges from breakthrough stars of 2021 to popular songs that kept Kenyans on their feet dancing - and everyone has played a part in bringing creativity and joy to a platform and a world that needed it.
As seen this year alone, there is no doubt that TikTok is a unique place where culture starts and where creativity knows no bounds - where anyone can discover, create, and share content they love.
In 2021, over 1 billion people turned to TikTok to be entertained, find and share their joy with others, and learn new things.
TikTok Content Operations Manager, Africa Boniswa Sidwaba, said it's been incredible to see how Kenyans continued to grow and support one another this year on the platform.
"We've seen popular trends spread across For You feeds. We're humbled to see how much joy our community has brought us this year, and we're excited to experience more incredible moments as we continue this journey together," Sidwaba said.
TikTok Chief Operating Officer Vanessa Pappas, added that there's something really special about TikTok's diverse global community that people just can't find anywhere else.
"For us, 2021 was a year for connection and we’ve seen people on TikTok laughing together, entertaining us, starting cultural phenomenons, and teaching us new things. It's been incredible to see the depths of entertainment and creativity from this community, and we're delighted to celebrate all the ways we've come together this year on TikTok," she said.
From homemade beats to classics making a comeback, the songs on your For You feed made you hit repeat.
In 2021, trending songs on TikTok came from established, emerging, and breakthrough artists, spanning a range of genres as diverse as our community itself.
Be it Bongo Flava, Gengetone, hip-hop and rap, or electronic and dance, music starts on TikTok.
In 2021, these were the top 10 songs that were loved most on the platform and got the country dancing.
- Naanzaje - Diamond Platnumz
- Running (To You) - Chiké & Simi
- Sukari - Zuchu
- Nimekuzoea - Nandy
- Touch It - KiDi
- Baikoko - Mbosso
- Jennifer - Guchi
- Ni Wewe - KILLY X HARMONIZE
- Fall - Mbosso
- Dangerous - Jah Prayzah
Here are a few of our community's videos enjoying their favorite songs this year.
- Diamond Platnumz - Naanzaje
- sn_hassan - Running (To You)
- shanahmendoza - Sukari
- ajibgathoni - Nimekuzoea
- martinaglez__ - Baikoko
FYFaves: Popular videos
TikTok videos transcend cultures and borders to reach For You feeds everywhere.
2021 saw For You feeds filled with trending videos across beloved categories including comedy, nostalgia, animals, and family videos.
Check out the videos that make up some of this year's memorable moments.
- @vick_brandon - He's crazy! #vicbrandon
- @azz_iad - Our Queen,#azziad
- @comedycartel - #viral prank
- @theroamingchef - #foodtiktok
- @mr_mbilimbili - Don't threaten me
Powered by Joy: Videos that brought so much joy
Whether TikTok videos make you smile or laugh in unexpected ways, one thing's for sure: the community sparks joy.
This year, family, celebs, and entertainment culture are some of the popular content categories that delighted our global community.
Take in the good vibes from the videos that brought us so much joy this year.
- @mimokaranja - Chunga sana!
- @vick_brandon - He is dead! #vicbrandon
- @mukenyavibes - Selfies are the worst
- @yessjamal - An unbelievably high jump
- @kelvinikwara - We love Kelvin!
Breakthrough Stars: Creators, celebrities and public figures on the rise
Here are the TikTok creators who broke out and hit new heights this year.
- @vick_brandon - The king of characters
- @candy_and_the_king - Our favourite foreigners in Kenya!
- @justtotallyrandom - Comedy Queen
- @azz_iad - Azz_iad
Only on TikTok: Trends powered by TikTok features
Creativity has no limits on TikTok, and here are the TikTok trends made possible by tools and effects, and the public's creativity in 2021.
- Real Me - @rue.baby2
- TikTok Times -@denniskarari
- Big Belly - @sialoqueen
- Photo Crop - @bidan_qurux
Voices of Change: Creators, celebrities and public figures at the forefront of social movements and moments
This year, TikTok continued to be a safe space for creators and the community to come together, lift each other up, and support the causes they care about.
Find out more about the impactful creators continue to fight for positive change.
- #Mashujaaday- @musyok.iii
- African History - @swiry_nyar_kano
- Money Time! - @moneygossip
Eats on Repeat: #FoodTok trends and other favorites
Foodies around the world continued to find a home on TikTok this year. Locally, local cuisine has been witnessed coming alive on the platform through hashtags such as #foodieske, #kenyanfood.
Check out some recipes and funny food hacks that got Kenyans craving this year.
- Funny food challenge - @haanoocadee
- #Food- @Theroamingchef
