What is the 'Cha Cha Slide' TikTok challenge? DJ Casper's song-inspired trend is dangerous
It's been nearly 23 years since DJ Casper first released the song 'Cha Cha Slide' in August 2000, which went ahead to be on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five weeks taking the position of number 83 at that time. It also topped the UK Singles Chart in March 2004 and went on to play in countless discos and weddings thereafter. But it also made its way to TikTok as part of a challenge making people perform dangerous stunts.
The bizarre challenge, which includes driving to the lyrics, sees drivers moving their vehicles to the left and right. However, things turn dangerous in the “crisscross” verse, prompting the drivers to swerve in speed in both directions without regard for other drivers, states New York Post.
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What is Cha Cha Slide Challenge on TikTok?
The challenge that got viral in 2020 follows the lyrics, "To the right, now / To the left / Take it back now y'all / One hop this time, one hop this time / Right foot two stomps / Left foot two stomps / Slide to the left / Slide to the right." However, many pointed out the risk that it carries. According to New York Post, TikTok user Angel De La Cruz posted a video of him and his friends trying the challenge, writing, “The car almost flipped.” While TikTok user Giovanni captioned his video, as per Mirror, “CHA CHA SLIDE should not be done in the car.”
Plymouth Fire Department Chief G Edward Bradley issued a warning about the dangers of the trend in 2020. He said, as per LAD Bible, "These actions are extremely dangerous and could potentially start a fire and cause thousands of dollars in property damage. It could also cause serious injury to anyone who is nearby. The other issue can be that you do damage to some electrical wiring behind the wall and a fire could be undetected and burning in the walls, endangering everyone that's in the building."
Is it similar to 'In My Feelings' challenge?
Both challenges require people to dance on beats. However, this viral dancing trend shows people showing off their dance moves to Drake’s single ‘In My Feelings’ while walking alongside a moving car. But it also attracted a lot of controversies, with some communities banning the trend after people were injured dancing on the road. According to WQAD, the challenge even landed one girl in the hospital after she sustained a serious injury trying to perform the dance in 2018. "I tried, and the last thing I remember was opening the door. So apparently I got out and tripped and fell and hit my head," the girl told the outlet. Following these incidents, in Florida, police warned drivers that attempting this challenge from a moving vehicle could fine them $1,000 and face criminal charges, according to the Guardian.