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AI Artists Are Reimagining Quavo And Takeoff’s ‘Hotel Lobby’ Performance As New Art Pieces

Quavo and Takeoff's COLORS performance becomes an AI trend where any duo can replace them in the same hotel lobby frame.

By mitch·5 min read
An empty hotel lobby lit by warm orange light with two microphones hanging from the ceiling.

Quavo and Takeoff’s COLORS show performance of “Hotel Lobby” has become the latest template for an AI video trend. The original video, released on June 17, 2022, shows the two rappers singing over an orange background while sharing a microphone hung from the ceiling. Now AI editors are replacing the pair with anyone else.

The trend took off in mid-to-late September 2026 on TikTok and X / Twitter. The premise is simple: drop Quavo and Takeoff into the same scene, swap in two other people, and let the song play as though nothing changed. The result is a steady stream of videos pairing unlikely duos, from Harvey and Mike from Suits to cats to a French dictator and a soccer star. The template has become a fixture of online culture, with creators finding endless combinations to test against the fixed setting of the original performance.

The Original Performance

The source of the trend is a COLORS show performance uploaded to YouTube on June 17, 2022. Quavo and Takeoff perform “Hotel Lobby” together, sharing a microphone that hangs from the ceiling. The video has gathered over 121 million views in four years.

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The setup is minimal. There is no stage, no band, no backup dancers. Just the two singers facing each other across the mic stand. That simplicity is what makes the template work: remove the faces, leave the frame, and the joke still lands. The performance has been watched by millions since its release, establishing the visual foundation that others now build upon.

How The Trend Started

The trend began on September 16, 2026, when TikTok user @glorify_studio posted an AI video edit. The video replaces Quavo and Takeoff with Harvey and Mike from the TV series Suits. It gained over 1.7 million views in 12 days.

The caption reads: “Same scene, same energy, now it’s Harvey and Mike from the Suits carrying it.” The creator also linked to the tool used to make the edit, inviting viewers to try their own swaps. That link — “Glorify” for the link to make this in one click — suggests the tool is accessible to anyone willing to experiment.

Versions Keep Coming

The Harvey and Mike version was not the only one to land. On September 18, 2026, X user @ogfeitoza posted a version replacing Quavo and Takeoff with cats. That post gained over 73,000 likes in 10 days.

Two days later, on September 19, X user @cuba4si posted a version featuring Napoleon and Dictator Mbappe. It garnered over 50,000 likes in just over a week.

On September 25, TikToker @afaraj23 posted a version featuring Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. It gained over 400,000 views in three days. The caption, “Too cute not to try the hotel lobby trend,” plays into the meme’s appeal as a light-hearted challenge.

On September 26, X user @mockucentury posted a version with Nathan Fielder and Elizabeth Holmes. It gained over 6,500 likes in two days.

Who Else Got Swapped In

The trend’s reach extends beyond those five versions. Other users have posted their own edits using the same template, with the source noting several examples:

  • @pokito.ai used WhiteBeard and Ace in the trend.
  • @glorify_studio invited followers to request lamine Yamal and Raphinia in the comments.
  • @bigarnieofficial posted a version with the hashtag #migos.
  • @glorify_studio posted a version featuring Joe and Beck from Breaking Bad.

Each version keeps the same framing and the same energy, even as the faces change entirely. The template remains open for anyone who wants to try it.

What Makes It Work

The trend works because the original performance is so stable. The microphone hangs in the same spot. The lighting stays constant. The background remains orange. Swap in two new faces and the joke is complete.

It is also easy to produce. The creator behind the Harvey and Mike version linked to their platform, Glorify.dev, in the post’s caption. The comment “Glorify” for the link to make this in one click suggests the tool is accessible.

Why It Spread So Fast

The trend spread quickly because it is low friction. Anyone with a photo of two people can drop them into the template. The original performance provides the setting, the lighting, and the mood. All that is left is the swap.

The popularity of the trend is visible in the numbers. Over 1.7 million views for the Harvey and Mike version. Over 400,000 views for the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce version. These are not small numbers for a niche edit.

Key Dates

Date Event
June 17, 2022 COLORS uploads Quavo and Takeoff’s “Hotel Lobby” performance
September 16, 2026 @glorify_studio posts the Harvey and Mike version
September 18, 2026 @ogfeitoza posts the cats version
September 19, 2026 @cuba4si posts the Napoleon and Dictator Mbappe version
September 25, 2026 @afaraj23 posts the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce version
September 26, 2026 @mockucentury posts the Nathan Fielder and Elizabeth Holmes version

Comparing The Versions

Version Pair Views / Likes Days
Harvey and Mike Harvey and Mike from Suits 1.7M+ views 12 days
Cats Cats 73K+ likes 10 days
Napoleon and Dictator Mbappe Napoleon and Dictator Mbappe 50K+ likes ~7 days
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce 400K+ views 3 days
Nathan Fielder and Elizabeth Holmes Nathan Fielder and Elizabeth Holmes 6.5K+ likes 2 days

The trend has already outlasted its initial versions. New swaps continue to appear, and the template remains open for anyone who wants to try it.

This is a trend about substitution. It takes two famous faces and puts them in a famous frame. The joke is the contrast between the original performers and the new ones.

It is also a trend about the tools people have at hand. The Glorify platform is named in the posts. The caption invites requests for future swaps. The trend is not just a finished product; it is a call to action for anyone with a photo and an idea.

The trend continues to spread. New swaps keep appearing, and the template remains open.

Source material: “Quavo And Takeoff's 'Hotel Lobby' Performance Transformed In Latest AI Trend,” Know Your Meme.

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