In late March 2020, a short clip of Drake’s new song leaked online. The snippet, called “Toosie Slide,” quickly spread across social media. Fans loved its catchy beat and simple lyrics about sliding left and right. Dancer Toosie created a dance routine for it on TikTok, and the challenge took off.
Millions of people joined in, posting videos of themselves doing the moves at home. This happened during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, when many stayed indoors. The dance gave everyone a fun way to pass time and connect online.
Drake noticed the buzz and released the full song on April 3, 2020. The official music video showed him dancing through his large house in Toronto. He wore a black Nike mask, which later became popular among fans. The track climbed to the top of music charts in many countries.
In Nigeria, the challenge gained huge traction. Music producer Don Jazzy shared his own video, sliding across the floor with ease. Nigerian actress Omoni Oboli’s son also posted a backyard version, adding local flavor to the trend. Across Africa, groups like Uganda’s Masaka Kids Africana nailed the dance. Their video went viral after Drake shared it, leading to donations for the orphan dancers.
The Toosie Slide showed how social media can turn a leaked snippet into a hit. It blended music and dance in a way that felt easy for anyone to try. Five years later, in 2025, people still reference the slide in new challenges. For Lagos fans, it highlighted how global stars like Drake connect with local creators.
The song remains a reminder of creativity during tough times. Drake’s team turned the leak into success, proving that viral moments can boost an artist’s reach.
