Shake It to the Max by Moliy and Silent Addy: Chart-Topping Hit & Viral TikTok Dance Trend Explained

Shake It to the Max: Chart-Topping Hit & Viral TikTok Dance Trend

By Ann Tate | June 12, 2025

In a digital age where music trends come and go in the blink of an eye, “Shake It to the Max (Fly)” by Ghanaian-American singer Moliy and Jamaican producer Silent Addy defied the odds—not just by going viral, but by cementing itself as a global cultural phenomenon. Initially teased with a casual snippet in October 2024, the track has since catapulted into international stardom, becoming both a chart-topping anthem and the heartbeat of a viral dance movement embraced by millions—including major celebrities.

Chart Domination Around the World

Since the release of its explosive remix featuring Jamaican heavyweights Shenseea and Skillibeng on February 21, 2025, “Shake It to the Max” has taken over global charts with remarkable momentum. It claimed the #1 spot on the U.S. Billboard Afrobeats Songs Chart, dethroning Tyla’s long-reigning hit, and also dominated the UK Afrobeats Chart for ten consecutive weeks. The remix version surged to #6 on the Billboard Global 200 and #10 on the Global 200 Excluding U.S., affirming its international reach. Most notably, it climbed to #1 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart for the week of June 14, 2025, solidifying its dominance across both streaming and sales platforms.

The song made notable strides across continents, cracking the Top 20 in Germany, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, India, and Romania, among others. It even reached #56 on the Billboard Hot 100, a significant milestone for Moliy, who was previously known primarily for her feature on “Sad Girlz Luv Money.”

The Viral Dance Challenge That Shook the Internet

The chart success, however, wasn't achieved through airplay alone. The real spark? A TikTok dance challenge.

Moliy herself started the movement with a simple waist-rotating groove paired with the lyrics: “Bend your back, bend your knees, baby shake it to the max.” What began as a carefree clip quickly snowballed into a full-blown trend, with millions of TikTok videos replicating the infectious steps. The choreography’s simplicity made it universally accessible, appealing to all ages and dance levels.

TikTok stars like YsabelleHo, JoJo Siwa, and Olivia Dunne joined in, helping it trend consistently for weeks. But the trend truly reached global status when J-Hope of BTS posted his own version on April 30, 2025, exposing the song to the K-pop fandom and exponentially expanding its reach. Dancehall legend Elephant Man even made a cameo in the official video, affirming the song's cultural credibility.

Fan Reception: Addictive, Empowering, and Infectious

The internet couldn't get enough. Fans across platforms described the track as “addictive,” “a banger,” and “the ultimate dance therapy.” Many praised the fusion of Afrobeats and Dancehall as a refreshing sound that lit up dancefloors and playlists alike. Comments like “I can’t stop listening!” and “This song is on repeat!” flooded social media.

Lyrically, the song’s focus on freedom, movement, and feminine energy resonated with audiences seeking fun, feel-good vibes. Still, a handful of listeners noted a sense of fatigue from its omnipresence—a common byproduct of viral hits—but the track’s ability to renew interest through remixes helped mitigate this.

The Strategy Behind the Hit

Unlike many rush-released viral songs, “Shake It to the Max” was the result of strategic patience. Moliy and her team allowed the original snippet to organically gain traction before dropping remixes that extended the song's life cycle. Each remix—from the Caribbean-infused collab with Shenseea and Skillibeng to the TikTok-native “Done with Ya Ex” version featuring Gladdest—brought new audiences into the fold.

With over 99 million Spotify streams, 4.4 million Shazams, and chart placements in more than 40 countries, the song's performance proves the power of combining smart marketing with authentic, genre-blending creativity.

Legacy of a Dance Anthem

“Shake It to the Max” is more than a one-hit wonder. It's a blueprint for how modern music can travel—from a snippet, to a trend, to a worldwide anthem. It validates Afrobeats and Dancehall's influence on global pop, shines a spotlight on African and Caribbean artistry, and, most importantly, empowers artists like Moliy to shape their narrative.

For now, the world continues to “bend, shake, and tuck tuck tuck” to the rhythm of a song that shook not just the charts—but the entire culture.