AI Video Trend Mimicked Quavo and Takeoff
Social media users viralized face-swapped clips featuring celebrities and animals performing 2022 footage.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Pop Culture
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Beginning in early September 2026, social media users popularized a trend featuring AI-generated clips that recreate a 2022 performance by Quavo and Takeoff. The viral phenomenon involved swapping the faces of celebrities, animals, and fictional characters into the original footage.
Why it matters
The trend exploded in popularity due to the simplicity of generating AI-enhanced clips, which allows users to easily synchronize facial movements and gestures with background audio. This accessibility has fueled widespread adoption across digital platforms, gaining significant visibility when Quavo shared a clip on September 23, 2026.
Starrd software charges $5 for every 15 seconds of video rendering, while many creators distribute free alternatives via CapCut templates. Users create these clips by uploading two front-facing photographs into automated generators.
The players
Quavo
He is an American rapper and member of the hip-hop group Migos who gained prominence for his unique delivery and frequent collaborations.
Takeoff
He was an American rapper and a member of the hip-hop trio Migos known for his precise flow and contributions to trap music.
The details
The process involves users uploading two front-facing images into an AI generator application, which then maps facial expressions and hand gestures to match the audio from the 2022 Hotel Lobby performance. Beyond individual creators using paid services, the availability of free templates has allowed for a massive influx of content featuring diverse subjects.
Timeline
The original Hotel Lobby performance aired on Colors in 2022.
The trend originated on TikTok in early September 2026.
Quavo reposted an AI video on his X account on September 23, 2026.
Culture Shift
This phenomenon reflects the broader societal shift toward democratized digital creation, where AI tools allow casual users to manipulate professional media. It highlights a move away from legacy content consumption toward interactive, participation-based media culture.
Adopting this trend requires minimal time for users to upload two photos to an AI app or template service. The primary impact on the reader is the potential for increased engagement with viral social media content using these new digital tools.
The takeaway
The ease of accessing AI generation tools continues to lower the barrier for high-quality, user-generated celebrity parodies. Users should remain aware that these automated templates prioritize rapid content creation over source material authenticity.
Further reading
Explore more about how digital trends reshape public engagement in our Pop Culture section.
Live Poll
Is it acceptable for creators to use someone's likeness in AI videos without their permission?
