TikTok Dance Strike: Black Creators Protest Exploitation

A Protest on TikTok: Black Creators and the "Thot Shit" Strike

A new music video from Megan Thee Stallion coincides with rising summer temperatures. However, rather than inspiring a new viral TikTok dance, the single has sparked an informal protest. This action is led by Black creators who are expressing fatigue with the unacknowledged contribution to social media trends.

The Core of the Issue

Following the release of the “Thot Shit” video, Black TikTok creators began highlighting the exploitation they experience. This led to a movement where creators are choosing not to choreograph a dance for the song. The central idea is that Black artists generate a disproportionate amount of content and culture on the platform.

Much of this content is then re-purposed and monetized by other creators, particularly white creators, and broader cultural forces.

Why "Thot Shit"?

The song selection is likely intentional. Megan Thee Stallion’s video serves as both a celebratory tribute to essential workers – specifically those in grocery, food service, and sanitation – and a critical commentary on the affluent white establishment.

This establishment is perceived as exploiting the labor of these workers without sufficient consideration.

The Nature of the "Strike"

The protest doesn’t involve creators abandoning the platform or refraining from using the app altogether. Instead, Black creators who would typically develop dances for trending songs are deliberately abstaining.

This allows them to demonstrate the impact of their absence. The results, predictably, are a noticeable lack of engagement.

Demonstrations on the Platform

On the sound’s page, some videos initially hint at choreography before transitioning into statements about the lack of recognition for Black creators on TikTok.

Other videos showcase Black creators reacting to unsuccessful dance attempts by others, or humorously pointing out the difficulty non-Black TikTok users have interpreting the song’s lyrical instructions.

Despite its potential to become Megan Thee Stallion’s biggest hit, the song’s presence on TikTok currently feels muted.

TikTok's Response

When asked for a statement, TikTok acknowledged Black creators as a “critical and vibrant” component of its community.

A TikTok spokesperson stated the platform is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment and promoting a culture of crediting creators for their contributions.

The "Black Barbies" Incident

Many participating accounts cite a recent surge in white TikTok users lip-syncing to Nicki Minaj’s 2016 song “Black Barbies,” without fully understanding its context.

The song explicitly celebrates Black bodies, but its popularity on TikTok was largely driven by white users, overshadowing Black creators.

A History of Appropriation

This incident is part of a larger pattern of Black creators feeling exploited and having their work appropriated on social networks.

Black TikTok dancers have frequently seen their original moves gain widespread popularity, only to have non-Black creators receive the credit.

Collective Action and the Future

This recent protest represents the latest development in the ongoing discussion about who benefits from the creativity on platforms like TikTok.

Some creators believe TikTok’s economic structure disadvantages them, particularly when compared to platforms like YouTube.

Across social media, creators – especially creators of color – are increasingly engaging in collective action and exploring unionization to assert their rights.

By collectively refusing to create a new TikTok dance, Black creators are demonstrating their essential role in the online ecosystem. The current state of the “Thot Shit” sound on TikTok vividly illustrates this point.