Raindance by Dave and Tems: The Song Behind the AI Trend
By the Raindance AI Video teamUpdated 6 min read
The short answer
"Raindance" is a song by British rapper Dave featuring Nigerian singer Tems, released on October 23, 2025 on Dave's album The Boy Who Played the Harp. Its Lagos-shot music video came out in January 2026, the song topped the UK Singles Chart that month, and in September 2026 it became the soundtrack to the Raindance AI trend.
Raindance at a glance
| Artists | Dave featuring Tems |
|---|---|
| Released | October 23, 2025, Neighbourhood Recordings |
| Album | The Boy Who Played the Harp (Dave's third album), track 5 |
| Length | 3:39 |
| Music video | January 9, 2026, filmed in Lagos, Nigeria |
| UK chart peak | Number one, two non-consecutive weeks (January and February 2026) |
| UK certification | 2× Platinum |
The song
Raindance sits in the middle of The Boy Who Played the Harp, Dave's third studio album. Dave raps and Tems sings over an Afroswing beat, and it is the album's only single. Dave and Tems both have writing credits.
It was not released as a single ahead of the album. It became a hit as an album track first and was then sent to radio as the single.
The Lagos music video
The video was released on January 9, 2026 and filmed in Lagos, on the city's streets and beaches. Its close, intimate scenes between Dave and Tems got people talking within hours of release, and it gave the song a second wave of attention just as it climbed the charts.
The Raindance AI trend borrows the mood of those beach scenes, a waiting partner and a love song sung by the sea, but the pier-and-sunset sequence people recreate is the trend's own, built up by creators.
The chart run
- It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 5 in November 2025.
- It reached number one in January 2026, in its 13th week in the Top 40. That made it Dave's fourth UK number one, after "Funky Friday", "Starlight" and "Sprinter", and Tems' first.
- It returned to number one for a second, non-consecutive week in February 2026.
- Outside the UK it reached the top 10 in countries including Australia, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland, and it has been certified 2× Platinum in the UK.
How the song became the Raindance AI trend
Raindance was already a popular TikTok sound after its chart run. The AI trend is much newer. From late September 2026, creators began posting AI videos in which two people play out a short love story on a wooden pier and a beach at sunset, with Raindance as the sound. Google searches for "raindance ai" climbed from almost nothing on September 27, 2026 to a peak on October 3.
The song fits the format: it is a duet, so the video needs two people, one waiting and one singing. Read what the Raindance AI trend is for the shot-by-shot breakdown.
Using Raindance in your own video
- Add the song from the sound library in TikTok, Instagram Reels or CapCut. The platform handles the music licence and your post joins the trend's sound page.
- Do not rip the audio from YouTube or a streaming service and upload it as a file.
- Do not present your video as an official Dave or Tems release, or use their faces or voices.
Raindance AI Video makes the pictures only, without music, so you add the official sound when you post. See how to do the Raindance AI trend.
Wondering whether the song itself was made with AI? It was not. Read is Raindance an AI song for why people ask.
Looking for who to make it with? See Raindance AI trend ideas for couples and friends.
Raindance song FAQ
Who sings Raindance?
Raindance is by British rapper Dave, featuring Nigerian singer Tems. Dave raps the verses and Tems sings.
What album is Raindance on?
Dave's third studio album, The Boy Who Played the Harp, released in October 2025. Raindance is track 5 and the album's only single.
Where was the Raindance music video filmed?
In Lagos, Nigeria, on its streets and beaches. It was released on January 9, 2026.
Did Raindance go to number one?
Yes. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 2026 and returned to the top for a second, non-consecutive week in February. It was Dave's fourth UK number one and Tems' first.
Can I use the Raindance song in my own video?
Add it as a sound inside TikTok, Instagram or CapCut, where the platform licenses the music. Do not download the song and upload it as an audio file, and do not post the full track.
First published .
Keep reading
- Is Raindance an AI Song?Is Raindance an AI song? No. "Raindance" is a real song by Dave featuring Tems, released in October 2025. The AI part is the trend video, not the music.
- What Is the Raindance AI Trend?The Raindance AI trend explained: the pier-and-beach video set to "Raindance" by Dave and Tems, where it came from, the versions people post and how to make yours.
- Raindance AI Trend Ideas: 12 Duos to Put on the Pier12 Raindance AI trend ideas for couples, best friends, siblings and family, who plays which role, and a caption for each one.