The Hotel Lobby trend is the viral meme where two people rap in a bright orange room under one hanging microphone. It is based on Quavo and Takeoff’s 2022 COLORS performance of “Hotel Lobby”, and in 2026 AI tools turned it into a format anyone can join.
Updated October 6, 2026
Where the Hotel Lobby trend comes from
In June 2022, Quavo and his nephew Takeoff, two thirds of Migos, performed “Hotel Lobby” on A COLORS SHOW as part of a Motown and COLORS series for Black Music Month. COLORS films every artist in one take against a single solid color, and this set was a bright orange room with one microphone hanging from the ceiling.
The two traded verses at that one mic, with easy hand choreography and plenty of eye contact with the camera. The performance has since been watched well over 100 million times on YouTube, and its clean, fixed frame is exactly what made it so easy to remix years later.
What song is used in the Hotel Lobby trend?
The song is “Hotel Lobby” by Quavo and Takeoff, released in May 2022 under their duo name Unc & Phew (uncle and nephew). It later appeared on their joint album Only Built for Infinity Links in October 2022. Most trend videos keep the original audio from the COLORS performance, while others swap in a different song or a brand-new AI-written rap.
Why the Hotel Lobby AI trend went viral in 2026
In September 2026, AI remakes of the performance exploded on TikTok and quickly spread to Reels and Shorts. Creators replaced Quavo and Takeoff with celebrities, characters, coworkers, grandparents and a lot of cats, keeping the movements, the orange room and the sound. Because both performers are in Migos, many people search for it as the Migos AI trend.
It is instantly recognizable. One color, one hanging mic, two performers. You know what it is in a second.
It is built for two. Two voices and lots of gestures mean every swap reads as a duo, which makes it perfect for tagging a friend, partner or sibling.
The joke is who steps up. The setup never changes, so the fun is in the most unexpected pair you can put at the mic.
AI made it easy. No studio, camera or editing skills. A couple of photos are enough.
The trend got big enough that Quavo reshared the original performance on September 23, and on October 1 he and Victoria Monét recreated it on a real orange set, no AI involved.
What a Hotel Lobby video looks like
Every version keeps the same few ingredients:
A bright orange, seamless backdrop.
One microphone hanging from the ceiling between the performers.
Two performers, standing side by side and facing the camera.
Trading lines back and forth, with hand gestures and reactions.
The original track, or a new rap in the same spirit.
Here are two made with Hotel Lobby AI, one with the original track and one with a new AI rap:
Takeoff was killed in November 2022, a few months after the COLORS performance was filmed, and some fans have pushed back on AI videos that reuse his face and voice. The easiest way to join in is with your own cast: put yourself, your friends, your family or your pets in the orange room, and only use photos of people who are happy to be in your video. And if you have never seen it, watch the original performance. It is the reason the trend exists.
FAQ
Hotel Lobby trend FAQ
What is the Hotel Lobby trend?
The Hotel Lobby trend is a meme format based on Quavo and Takeoff’s 2022 COLORS performance of “Hotel Lobby”. People use AI to put a new duo in the same orange room, under the same hanging microphone, trading lines straight to camera.
What song is used in the Hotel Lobby trend?
The trend uses “Hotel Lobby” by Quavo and Takeoff, released in 2022 under their duo name Unc & Phew and later included on the album Only Built for Infinity Links. Some remixes swap in a different song or a brand-new AI rap.
Who are the rappers in the original Hotel Lobby video?
Quavo and Takeoff of Migos. Quavo is Takeoff’s uncle, which is where the name Unc & Phew comes from. Their performance on A COLORS SHOW was filmed in June 2022.
Why is the Hotel Lobby video orange?
A COLORS SHOW films every artist in front of a single solid color. The Hotel Lobby performance used a bright orange set with one hanging microphone, and that look became the signature of the trend.
How do people make Hotel Lobby AI videos?
Most people use an AI video generator, a face-swap app or a CapCut template. With Hotel Lobby AI you upload two photos, or one photo of you both, choose the sound and download an MP4 with audio.
Can I make a Hotel Lobby video with my pet?
Yes. Pets are some of the most popular versions of the trend. Upload a clear photo of your pet and one of yourself, or two pets, and the AI puts them in the orange room.
Is the Hotel Lobby trend disrespectful to Takeoff?
Some fans have criticized AI remakes for reusing Takeoff’s likeness after his death in 2022. Many people join the trend with their own faces instead of swapping the original performers, and Quavo himself reshared the original performance as the trend grew.
Your turn at the mic
Put your duo in the orange room
Upload two photos and get a Hotel Lobby video with sound in minutes.
