Guides
What Is The 'Yes You Can' Trend On TikTok? The Controversial Lip Dub Memes Explained
An unreleased Young Thug rap song is at the center of a new TikTok trend that has some users concerned.
The "Yes You Can Trend" might look like any other lip dub trend at first, but some of the users participating in it are being called out for spreading dangerous ideas.
So, what is the "Yes You Can" trend, and why is it so controversial? Here's what you need to know.
@amour_dotla11147
What Is The 'Yes You Can' Trend?
The "Yes You Can" trend started back in the middle of May as a meme set to an unreleased "Young Thug" song that repeats the lyrics, "Yes you can."
One of the earliest known versions of the meme features the caption, "bro you can't be this obsessed with lightskins," over the song, then a compilation of women as Young Thug raps, "Yes you can," suggesting that yes, the user can be obsessed with them.
From there, TikTokers turned the meme into a lip dub trend. In the videos, TikTokers write a caption sharing something they purportedly can't do while lip syncing to the lyrics, the point being that they and others actually can do that thing.
Most versions of the meme are harmless fun, but some people have taken it a bit too far, sparking some heated reactions and controversy.
@shon2you
Why Is The 'Yes You Can' Trend Controversial?
The "Yes You Can" trend started to garner controversy around the end of May 2025, when it was simultaneously peaking in popularity.
During that time, some presumably under-18-year-old TikTokers began posting "Yes You Can" videos with captions like, "You can't date a 2013," meaning someone born in 2013 (who'd be a 12-year-old). Considering the context of the trend, this left a lot of people uncomfortable.
One TikToker whose video even gained over a million views seemed to support relationships between 2013s and 2007s. Some took the video seriously, and others took it as rage bait, although it's unclear how authentic it is.
These videos inspired a counter-movement in which TikTokers post their own videos criticizing the idea of minors partaking in the trend and encourage them to go outside and be kids instead.
@carmlan1234 #fyp #gf #yesyoucan #2013 #real #viral ♬ original sound – Priv_joyx
What Are Some More X Memes?
@marissaskye this trend is so sad #fyp #foryou #relatable #wattpad ♬ Yes you can (RMX) – KayArchonn
@leighkdahmv #fy #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #2013 ♬ original sound – Maybe it's David
@mowiemowmow i was an og
@essiebone What happened to having a childhood #fy #fyp #childhood ♬ Yes you can (RMX) – KayArchonn
For the full history of the "Yes You Can" Trend, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.
