May created a whirlwind of digital creativity and cultural topics, marked by major earworms and easily-recreated memes that have captivated online users. From viral TikTok challenges to thought-provoking X threads, the Internet’s collective consciousness has once again demonstrated its unparalleled ability to reflect, shape, and satirize contemporary life. But why are these trendy visuals and sounds so impactful? Let’s dive into the most prominent trends and memes of May 2024 and pinpoint what it is that has us “working laaaaate” to stay trendy.
In case you didn’t catch it, the end of the last paragraph was a not-so-subtle nod to everybody’s guilty pleasure song, “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter. After it dropped in early April, Carpenter’s catchy single quickly grabbed online users and morphed into a top trend over the past couple of months. Particularly notable lyrics that caught fire and proved effective came from the beginning of the second verse:
“I’m working late,
‘Cause I’m a singer
Oh, he looks so cute
Wrapped ‘round my finger.”
While it may not read as anything groundbreaking, anybody living online in 2024 will be able to tell you for years to come about the widespread effect of this catchy tune. Here are some examples of online users who included Sabrina’s song in their content:
For a certain (rather broad) sector of Internetdom, the first Monday in May is a big deal. Every year, some of the largest names in the entertainment industry walk the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to flaunt their elaborate designer looks in benefit of the museum’s Costume Institute.
“What does this have to do with a little ol’ content creator like me”, you ask? Everything! While the time may have passed to benefit from any red carpet memes this time around, the chuckle-inducing posts below serve as a valuable reminder to capitalize on major pop culture events like the Met Gala:
Everybody loves a good CapCut template. This month, a top meme that surfaced was King Charles’ anticlimactic curtain-drop reveal of a large portrait of himself. The Internet, of course, immediately took action and created a CapCut template allowing users to place whatever their heart desires inside the large, ornate frame as an amusing way to showcase something that matters to them.
This was capitalized upon by many users wishing to show off a finished project, their own selfie, or a cute pic of their pet. Here’s an example of how someone used CapCut to add a cute singing cat edit into this otherwise normal video:
A silly AI-generated tune called “The Chat Shenanigans” surfaced in April and really caught on in May, creating a goofy, relatable meme to compare two different ways of doing things or two different definitions of something. Check out some examples below:
And there you have it — May 2024 in all its meme-filled, trendsetting glory. From Sabrina Carpenter’s catchy “Espresso” to the ever-glamorous Met Gala memes, King Charles’ portrait reveal antics, and the whimsical Chauffeur tune, this month has shown us just how creative and diverse Internet culture can be.
These trends not only entertain but also offer a light-hearted mirror reflecting our collective experiences and humor. In your month-to-month research for eye- and ear-catching content, remember to look for big events, easily copied/customized templates, and instant classics by the world’s favorite artists. That’s all for now. Stay trendy!
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