In the entertainment industry, a sleeper hit refers to a film, television series, music release, video game, or other entertainment product that was unpromising on release but eventually became a surprise success. A sleeper hit may have little promotion or lack a successful launch but gradually develops a fandom following media attention, which in turn increases its public exposure and public interest in the product. As Variety puts it, "A 'sleeper hit' can be defined as the kind of show that catches us by surprise—programs whose popularity grows over time and can ultimately outshine the preordained hits." A sleeper hit often lacks star performers or high production values, but prevails, at times against its own makers' expectations, on the strength of such qualities as narrative, approach, or novelty, as well as market accidents. Sleeper hit films benefit theater owners because the owners keep a larger percentage of money from ticket sales.
"Tik Tok" is a single by American singer Kesha, who co-wrote the song with its producers Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco. It was released on August 7, 2009, as the lead and debut single from her debut studio album, Animal (2010).
"Buss It" is a song recorded by American rapper Erica Banks. Written by Banks and produced by Sgt. J, the song was released on May 15, 2020, through 1501 Certified Entertainment and later through Warner Records as the lead single from Banks's self-titled fourth mixtape. It became popular on the video-sharing platform TikTok in early 2021 and peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A remix featuring American rapper and singer Travis Scott was released in February 2021.
Hot Pink is the second studio album by American rapper Doja Cat. It was released on November 7, 2019, by Kemosabe Records and RCA Records. A departure from the sound of her debut album Amala (2018), Hot Pink is a pop, hip hop, and R&B record containing elements of funk and soul. The album features production from Doja herself, Yeti Beats, Tyson Trax, and others, with guest appearances from Smino, Gucci Mane, and Tyga.
"Like That" is a song by American rapper and singer Doja Cat featuring fellow American rapper Gucci Mane. It was written by both artists along with Theron Thomas, Lydia Asrat, David Sprecher, and producers Dr. Luke and Mike Crook. Originally included as a track on Doja Cat's second studio album Hot Pink (2019), it became a single on May 12, 2020, following a viral dance challenge using the song on the app TikTok.
"Lottery", later re-titled as "Lottery (Renegade)" is a song by American rapper K Camp from his third studio album Wayy 2 Kritical (2019). It was released as the album's third single on April 1, 2019, by Rare Sound and Interscope Records. The song was written by K Camp himself and produced by Reazy Renegade. In late 2019, the song went viral online, due to a dance challenge on TikTok, becoming the first sound on the platform to reach 20 million videos. K Camp credited choreographer Jalaiah Harmon for creating the dance challenge, after controversy arose due to Harmon not initially getting credit for it. The song's two official remixes respectively feature fellow American rapper Quavo and singer T-Pain.
"Savage" is a song by American rapper Megan Thee Stallion. It was released on March 6, 2020, as part of her EP Suga and later sent to US contemporary hit radio on April 7, 2020, by 1501 Certified Entertainment and 300 Entertainment as the third single from the EP. The song was written by the artist with Bobby Sessions, Akeasha Boodie, and producer J. White Did It. It went viral on video-sharing app TikTok, with people performing the "Savage" dance challenge during the song's chorus.
"Toosie Slide" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his commercial mixtape Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020). Written alongside producer OZ, it was released as the lead single on April 3, 2020, through Republic and OVO. The song is titled after social media influencer, Toosie, who had previously helped the song go viral. A video was released alongside the song, showing Drake quarantined, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also demonstrates the Toosie Slide dance in his Toronto mansion. The song debuted at number eighteen on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 before debuting at number one on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart the next week, making Drake the first male artist to accomplish three number-one debuts.
"No More Parties" is the major-label debut single by American rapper Coi Leray, released on January 22, 2021, through 1801 Records and Republic Records. The song was Leray's first release of 2021. Leray wrote the song alongside its producers Maaly Raw and Okaykhan. It is a mumble rap and R&B song with piano, "skittering" claps, and a subtle bass line, over which Leray rap-sings about elevating her life and career, while also venting about her father, Benzino.
"Beat Box" is the debut single by American rapper SpotemGottem. It was released on April 20, 2020, while the first remix, titled "Beat Box 2", featuring SpotemGottem linking up with American rapper Pooh Shiesty, was released on December 18, 2020, alongside a video, and as part of Spotem's debut mixtape, Final Destination. The first remix pushed the song to viral status on the video-sharing app TikTok, spawning the "#JunebugChallenge", and later became SpotemGottem's first chart entry.
"Fancy Like" is a song recorded by American country music singer Walker Hayes. It was released on August 2, 2021, from his fifth EP Country Stuff via Monument Records Nashville. Hayes co-wrote the song with Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins, and Shane Stevens, and co-produced it with Joe Thibodeau and Shane McAnally. A remix featuring guest vocals from American singer-songwriter Kesha was released on September 10, 2021.
"Gyalis" is a song by American singer Capella Grey. It was released on January 4, 2021, through Capitol Records and Allepac the Family. Rappers Mannie Fresh, Lil Wayne and Juvenile are credited as co-writers of the song as it samples Juvenile's "Back That Azz Up". The song went viral on TikTok, and gained over 18.1 million streams on Spotify by September 2021, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"Rocking a Cardigan in Atlanta" is a song by American rapper Lil Shordie Scott. It was released as a single on January 29, 2022 from his extended play, The Twin Society. In the song, Lil Shordie Scott raps in a high-pitched voice about wanting to take a picture with rapper Cardi B. It went viral on TikTok and peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 2022, while a remix of the song featuring Offset was released on April 27, 2022. Some critics described Lil Shordie Scott as a one-hit wonder for the song.
"F.N.F. " is a song by American record producer Hitkidd and American rapper GloRilla. It was released on April 29, 2022 as the first single from her debut EP, Anyways, Life's Great (2022). The song went viral through the video-sharing app TikTok and is considered the breakout hit for both artists.
Jacob Dodge Lawson,, known professionally as Jvke, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, and social media personality. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he started creating TikTok videos for his songs, one of which, "Upside Down", went viral in 2021. His debut album, This Is What ____ Feels Like (2022), peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200, while the song "Golden Hour" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Betty (Get Money)", also referred to as just "Betty", is a song by American rapper Yung Gravy, released through Republic Records on June 10, 2022, as the lead single from his third studio album, Marvelous. It was written by Yung Gravy and produced by Nick Seeley, Dillon Francis and Dwilly, along with the credit for its prominent interpolation of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". The song and its music video, featuring Yung Gravy dancing in a white fur coat, went viral on TikTok shortly after its release, being used in over 300,000 videos.
"Bad Habit" is a song recorded by the American musician Steve Lacy. It was the second released single from his second studio album, Gemini Rights, on June 29, 2022. The psychedelic and lo-fi R&B and bedroom pop ballad was produced by Lacy and is built around a slightly warped guitar riff, which is accompanied by a funky bassline, drums and synthesisers. Lyrically, it concerns Lacy's regret over a missed opportunity with a crush. His lack of confidence later shifts to a more confident perspective during the song's final breakdown.
"Munch (Feelin' U)" is a song by American rapper Ice Spice, released on August 10, 2022. A music video accompanied the song. The song trended on TikTok. It was later released as the lead single from the debut EP Like..?.
Ricky Hampton, known professionally as Finesse2tymes, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He is best known for his 2022 single "Back End," which entered the Billboard Hot 100. He is noted for his "thunderous voice" and motivational statements in his songs. He signed with Atlantic Records to release his debut commercial mixtape, 90 Days in December of that year. He was signed in a joint venture with Moneybagg Yo's label Bread Gang and J. Prince's Mob Ties Records, although he parted ways with all three labels the following year. He released his debut studio album Art of War on November 22, 2024.
"Pound Town" is a single by American rapper Sexyy Red and American record producer Tay Keith, released on January 27, 2023. It became Sexyy Red's breakout song through going viral on the video-sharing app TikTok. An official remix of the song with rapper Nicki Minaj was released on May 26, 2023.
