October 2, 2025
by Parasition x Hugo
TREND SNACKS
Parasition’s AI, Hugo, spent all week scanning TikTok. Here’s what rose above the rest.
GLOBAL TIKTOK TREND (SOUND) OF THE WEEK
2M+ likes
Drug Dealing | Big Yella
Genre: Rap
Video style: Specific trend
This track leans into a subtle, understated beat that doesn’t dominate the video, leaving the spotlight on the interaction and captions. The trend (faking a handshake before breaking into a goofy dance) works because the sound brings a cool, drill-inspired energy that contrasts with the humor.
Its low-key vibe makes the joke land harder while still giving clips a tough, stylish edge that keeps them feeling current.
Takeaways
— Minimalist sounds create space for actions and text to take center stage
— Pairing a “serious” vibe with funny content amplifies both the humor and shareability
LOCAL TIKTOK TREND (SOUND) OF THE WEEK
Australia
130k+ likes
That’s How Strong My Love Is | Otis Redding
Genre: Soul
Video style: Random
This song flows with gentle guitar lines and Otis Redding’s warm, emotional vocals, creating a calm and heartfelt atmosphere. It’s become a go-to backdrop in Australia for clips that highlight slow, beautiful, or cozy moments; whether it’s nature, relationships, or everyday details.
The steady tempo and intimate delivery let the visuals carry the story, while the track itself adds depth and tenderness that resonates with viewers.
Takeaways
— Songs with clear, steady rhythms and emotional vocals elevate aesthetic or heartfelt content
— A timeless sound can make even simple visuals feel moving and memorable
Hugo spotlight
Hugo’s waitlist and early access are open. If you want to stay ahead in music marketing, now is the time to join.
Instead of scraping hashtags or captions, Hugo analyzes more than 100,000 TikToks every single day. He spots trends the moment they emerge, connects them to the right tracks, and shows you how to capture the momentum.
From sound choice to timing to creative strategy, Hugo turns raw data into clear campaign moves.
Sign up: https://hugo.love/
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOCIAL MEDIA:
TikTok, in the US, will become US-owned
TikTok’s American future just shifted. On September 25, President Donald Trump signed an executive order clearing the way for new US-based ownership of the app. The deal allows American investors to control up to 80% of TikTok’s US operations and 6 of 7 board seats, while ByteDance keeps a minority stake.
Oracle will oversee data and algorithm audits, addressing long-standing security concerns. For creators and marketers, this means TikTok is (for now) safe from a US ban. But with new leadership, there are still many questions about how much the algorithm and overall experience might change.
DATA | THE WORLD OF MUSIC QUANTIFIED
Spotify’s weekly global top 5 songs
— #1. Golden | KPop Demon Hunters Cast // 50 m weekly streams
— #2. back to friends | sombr // 40 m weekly streams
— #3. Ordinary | Alex Warren // 32 m weekly streams
— #4. Don’t Say You Love Me | Jin // 27 m weekly streams
— #5. Man I Need | Olivia Dean // 26 m weekly streams
Spotify’s weekly global top 10 artists
— #1. Taylor Swift // Pop
— #2. Bad Bunny // Latin trap
— #3. Drake // Pop
— #4. The Weeknd // Alternative R&B
— #5. Sabrina Carpenter // Pop
— #6. KPop Demon Hunters Cast // KPop
— #7. Justin Bieber // Pop
— #8. Fuerza Regida // Regional Mexican
— #9. Ariana Grande // Pop
— #10. Billie Eilish // Alternative Pop
TIKTOK VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
Pocketful of Sunshine on a bridge
Views: 19,000,000 | Likes: 3,800,000
This video shows how the right mix of setting, sound, and vibe can turn an everyday moment into something that feels cinematic. What could have been a casual evening ride transforms into one of the week’s most shared clips.
— #1. Cinematic feel. The bridge lights frame him like a spotlight, and the smooth filming keeps him perfectly in focus despite the motion, making it look like a movie scene.
— #2. Emotional hook. The flowers in hand add a layer of meaning, which sparked comments like “this is true hopecore” and “imagine being this free.”
— #3. Strong audio fit. Lip-syncing to Pocketful of Sunshine amplifies the mood, with timing that feels effortless.
— #4. Iteration pays off. The creator tested around ten versions of this same setup with different tracks before one hit, showing how re-cutting and sound-swapping can be the key to unlocking virality.
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MUSIC EVENT OF THE WEEK:
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Picture from ACL Festival
Austin City Limits brings nearly half a million music lovers to Austin’s Zilker Park each October, making it one of the largest festivals in the U.S. Across two weekends, the event blends blockbuster headliners with buzzy newcomers, covering genres from indie rock and hip hop to electronic and country. There’s plenty of awesome food and creative installations, and the skyline backdrop make sit uniquely Texan.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Take advantage of early trends by cross polinating
If you spot a trend breaking on TikTok, don’t stop there. Recreate the same idea on Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts before it fully spreads. Trends often take a few days to move between platforms, which gives you a window to capture extra reach. By being early, you’re not just recycling content but multiplying its chances of hitting new audiences. One idea can easily turn into three posts and triple the exposure.
PARASITION: Campaign breakdown
5k+ likes
Nice To Meet You | TWOPILOTS
Genre: Chill house
Video style: Recap of the year edit
Nice To Meet You blends chill house vibes with airy vocals and laid-back beats, making it a natural fit for smooth, emotional montages that still feel modern and engaging.
Our spotlighted creator executed it flawlessly by opening with expressive, high-motion shots and jumping straight into the sequence. The montage kept energy high with sharp, polished clips, and by leading with the strongest visuals, the video hooked viewers right from the start.
Campaign learnings
— Detailed briefs with room for creativity deliver consistency
— Using the best footage first maximizes watch time
— Nostalgic recap edits performed better than anticipated
ROUND-UP
— Drill energy meets humor. Big Yella’s Drug Dealing shows how a serious, drill-leaning vibe can actually make a goofy handshake-fakeout trend hit harder, proving contrast is one of TikTok’s strongest tools.
— Soul finds new life. Otis Redding’s That’s How Strong My Love Is became the go-to backdrop for cozy, heartfelt clips in Australia, reminding us that timeless vocals can turn even simple visuals into something moving.
— Cinematic hooks drive virality. The 19M-view Pocketful of Sunshine bike video proves how the right mix of lighting, movement, and repetition can transform an everyday ride into “true hopecore” magic.
— Industry shifts matter. With TikTok moving toward US-based ownership, creators and marketers can breathe easier for now. But new leadership may tweak algorithms in ways worth watching closely.
— Campaign craft counts. Our Nice To Meet You push showed that clear briefs, leading with your best clips, and testing recap edits aren’t just good practice: they directly boosted retention and shares.
That’s a wrap for this week. While you read this, Hugo’s already tracking the next wave of sounds and trends before they break. Stay ahead of the curve and join early access now: https://hugo.love/
