What the Raindance trend is
The Raindance trend is a short-video edit built around one image: a person standing on a wooden pier above the sea while the sun sits low on the horizon. The clip is warm, slow and a little dramatic, like a frame from a romantic music video. The sound under almost every post is “Raindance” by Dave and Tems.
What makes it a trend rather than just a pretty clip is the cut. Posts usually open on an ordinary photo of someone, at their desk, in a car or in the kitchen, and then cut to that same person on the golden-hour pier. The contrast between normal life and music-video glamour is the punchline. Because the pier clip is generated by AI from a single photo, anyone can take part without travelling to a beach or filming anything.
Where it came from
The song came first. “Raindance” is a track by British rapper Dave featuring Nigerian singer Tems, released on 23 October 2025 as the fifth track on Dave’s third studio album, The Boy Who Played the Harp. It is a stripped-back Afroswing love song, and the two artists trade lines in a way that feels like a conversation between a couple.
The song became a viral hit between the end of 2025 and early 2026 and climbed to number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 2026. It also reached the top ten in several other countries. The official music video, released on 9 January 2026 and filmed in Lagos, shows the pair as an affectionate couple, including scenes by the sea. That warm, coastal, intimate mood became the visual reference for fan edits.
Once AI video tools could turn one photo into a believable short clip, people started placing themselves into that mood. The golden-hour pier became the shorthand: easy to recognise, flattering for almost anyone and dramatic enough to be funny when the subject is unexpected.
How a Raindance trend post is built
If you look closely, most posts use the same four ingredients:
- The setup photo. One or two seconds of an everyday picture. Office lighting and messy rooms work best because they make the next shot land harder.
- The cut. A hard cut on the beat to the AI clip.
- The pier clip. The same person on a sunset pier, framed vertically, with slow camera movement and the breeze in their hair.
- The sound and caption. The song from the platform’s library and a short, deadpan caption.
Some creators add a second AI shot, a lyric overlay or a reaction from the person in the photo, but the core never changes.
The versions people make
The format is flexible, which is why it spread beyond music fans.
- The completely serious solo. Your own photo, no joke, just you looking like the lead in a music video.
- The couple edit. Two clips, one per person, cut together so they trade the screen the way Dave and Tems trade lines.
- The family surprise. A parent or grandparent on the pier, shared with their blessing, often the most-replayed version in group chats.
- The friend who never sings. The least dramatic person you know, given the most dramatic shot possible.
- The work version. A colleague’s badge photo cut to a sunset pier, posted with their permission for a team channel.
How to join the Raindance trend with Raindance AI
- Pick a clear photo of one person with a visible face. Waist-up framing works best.
- Choose a look: Sunset Pier for the classic trend frame, Ocean Breeze for more movement or Vintage Film for a softer, grainy feel.
- Confirm you have permission to use the photo and press Generate. Most clips are ready within a few minutes.
- Download the 5-second vertical MP4. It is silent on purpose so you can add the sound properly.
- In TikTok, Instagram or YouTube, place your setup photo first, then the clip. Add the song from the sound library and switch on the AI-generated content label.
One honest note: the generated clip is a calm, cinematic moment rather than a performance. The person steps, turns and smiles, but does not lip-sync. For most trend posts that is exactly what you want, because the song does the talking.
For a full walkthrough, including the CapCut template route, read our guide on how to make a Raindance AI video.
Rules worth following
A trend built on putting real people into AI video comes with responsibilities. These keep your post fair to everyone involved, including the artists.
- Consent first. Only use your own photo or a photo of someone who has agreed. Never use strangers, celebrities or anyone who could be hurt by the post.
- Children. A photo of someone under 18 should only be used by their parent or guardian, for ordinary, wholesome family content.
- Label it. Use the platform’s AI-generated content label so viewers know the clip is not real footage.
- Use the official sound. Add the song from the app’s library instead of ripping audio, and do not cut the official music video into your post.
- No implied endorsement. Do not suggest that Dave, Tems or their labels made or approved your clip.
Is the Raindance trend still worth posting?
Viral sounds peak and fade, and the busiest weeks of this one were around the start of 2026. The format has lasted longer than the peak because the golden-hour pier is a flattering, universal image. It works for anniversaries, birthdays, travel throwbacks and “glow-up” posts with any sound you are allowed to use. If the song is not available on your account, the clip still stands on its own as a sunset moment.
Summary
The Raindance trend pairs Dave and Tems’ song with a simple cut: an everyday photo, then the same person on a golden-hour pier. You need one good photo, a tool that builds the scene, the song from your app’s library and an AI label. Keep it consensual, keep it labelled and let the sunset do the work.
Questions people ask
What is the Raindance trend?
It is a short-video format set to “Raindance” by Dave and Tems. A post opens on an ordinary photo, then cuts to an AI-generated clip of the same person on a wooden pier at golden hour, styled like a music video.
What song is used in the Raindance trend?
“Raindance” by British rapper Dave featuring Nigerian singer Tems, released on 23 October 2025 on Dave’s album The Boy Who Played the Harp. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 2026.
Is the Raindance trend a dance?
Not really. Despite the name, most Raindance trend posts are not choreography. They are cinematic edits: a person on a sunset pier, slow camera movement and the song underneath. The appeal is the dramatic mood, not dance moves.
Do I need to download the song to join the trend?
No. Add the song from the sound library inside TikTok, Instagram or YouTube when you post, if it is available for your account. Downloading and re-uploading the track or the official video can break copyright rules.
Can I do the Raindance trend with my partner or friends?
Yes, with their permission. Raindance AI makes one person per clip, so make one clip from each person’s photo and cut them together for a duet-style post.
Is Raindance AI the official Raindance trend app?
No. There is no official app for the trend. Raindance AI is an independent tool and is not affiliated with Dave, Tems or their record labels.