The “Fortnite Battle Pass Song” has become an inescapable earworm across the internet, particularly dominating TikTok feeds in early 2022. This comedic and undeniably catchy tune, crafted by internet personality Abdul Cisse, known for his previous viral “FNAF Beatbox,” centers around the simple yet relatable desire to purchase the Fortnite Battle Pass. The song’s virality exploded when Cisse’s duet video, featuring singer Salem Ilese, took TikTok by storm, spawning countless lip-dub videos and solidifying its status as a major internet meme.
The Origin of a Catchy Craze
The genesis of the “Fortnite Battle Pass Song” meme can be traced back to February 1st, 2022. TikTok creator @Abdul_cisse[1] responded to an “open verse challenge” initiated by @salemilese. Ilese’s original video touched upon the “Us or PS5” dilemma, a prevalent internet conversation at the time. However, Cisse took the duet in a hilariously unexpected direction. Instead of echoing the original theme, he launched into a short, absurdly catchy verse about the Fortnite Battle Pass, beginning with the now-iconic and slightly crude line, “Fortnite Battle Pass, I just shit out my ass.” This unexpected lyrical opening, combined with Cisse’s energetic delivery, immediately grabbed attention. Within just two weeks, the initial duet video amassed over 13 million views. Recognizing the song’s viral potential, Cisse re-uploaded the video as an original sound on February 2nd[2]. This strategic move further amplified its reach, garnering over 2.7 million views in a similar timeframe and setting the stage for its widespread adoption as a TikTok trend.
Abdul Cisse’s original TikTok duet video featuring the “Fortnite Battle Pass Song,” showcasing the song’s raw and comedic appeal.
The full lyrics of this viral snippet are as follows:
Fortnite Battle Pass
I just shit out my ass
Booted up my PC
Cause I need it
To get that Fortnite Battle Pass
I like Fortnite
Did I mention Fortnite
I like Fortnite
It’s night time
I mean it’s five o’ clock
That’s basically night time
Y’all remember Cartoon Network
Adventure Time
TikTok Takes Over: The Song Goes Viral
Cisse’s decision to release the “Fortnite Battle Pass Song” as an original sound proved to be a masterstroke. The sound quickly went viral, becoming a soundtrack for a diverse range of TikTok content. Users embraced the comedic timing and repetitive nature of the song, creating over 17,400 videos using the sound by February 14th, 2022. This explosion of user-generated content solidified the song’s place as a full-fledged meme.
Early examples of its viral spread include a TikTok by @british_hotdog[4] posted on February 3rd, 2022. This video paired the song with a low-resolution clip of a dancing penguin from Penguins of Madagascar, perfectly capturing the meme’s absurd humor and gaining over 3.5 million views in under two weeks. Similarly, on February 5th, @kyrotime[5] uploaded a video featuring Yoshi dancing to the track, amassing over 910,000 views within a comparable period. The song’s reach extended beyond TikTok, with re-uploads to platforms like YouTube. On February 6th, Cisse’s original video was re-uploaded to YouTube[3], quickly accumulating over 294,000 views in a single week, demonstrating its cross-platform appeal.
A TikTok video utilizing the “Fortnite Battle Pass Song” meme, featuring a dancing penguin from Penguins of Madagascar, exemplifying the meme’s early viral spread on the platform.
Another early viral TikTok example, showcasing Yoshi dancing to the “Fortnite Battle Pass Song,” further illustrating the meme’s comedic and adaptable nature.
Further solidifying its versatility, TikToker @.dj_soup[8] incorporated the sound into a Minecraft parkour video on February 8th. This creative application garnered over 6.6 million views in just a week, demonstrating the song’s ability to resonate with diverse online communities.
A Minecraft parkour TikTok video set to the “Fortnite Battle Pass Song,” highlighting the meme’s adaptability and appeal across different content styles.
The meme even transcended typical TikTok trends, finding its way into unexpected contexts. On February 13th, YouTuber justmehabibi[7] created a video edit placing the song over footage from an America’s Got Talent singing audition. This humorous juxtaposition, gaining over 14,900 views in under 24 hours, underscored the song’s broad comedic appeal and its ability to generate laughs even outside of its initial TikTok context.
Ubiquitous Examples of the Meme in Action
The “Fortnite Battle Pass Song” meme manifested in countless creative ways across the internet. These various examples showcase the meme’s adaptability and enduring comedic value.
The Enduring Appeal of a Simple Song
The “Fortnite Battle Pass Song” meme’s success can be attributed to several factors. Its simple, repetitive lyrics are incredibly easy to remember and sing along to, contributing to its earworm status. The humor is derived from the unexpected and slightly absurd opening line, juxtaposed with the mundane act of wanting to purchase a Fortnite Battle Pass. This relatability, combined with Abdul Cisse’s comedic delivery, created a perfect storm for internet virality. The song’s adaptability also played a key role, allowing creators to use it across diverse video formats and comedic styles, ensuring its continued relevance and spread across the internet. The “Fortnite Battle Pass Song” serves as a prime example of how a short, quirky, and undeniably catchy tune can capture the internet’s attention and solidify its place in meme history.
External References
[1] TikTok – abdul cisse
[2] TikTok – abdul cisse original sound
[3] YouTube – lolofurla
[4] TikTok – british_hotdog
[5] TikTok – kyrotime
[6] YouTube – Da bred boi
[7] YouTube – justmehabibi
[8] TikTok – .dj_soup
