Maui Wowie

"Maui Wowie"
Song by Kid Cudi
from the album A Kid Named Cudi
ReleasedJuly 17, 2008
Recorded2007–2008
Genre
Length2:24
Label
Songwriters
Producers

"Maui Wowie" is a song by American rapper Kid Cudi from his debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi (2008). Produced by Cudi and Plain Pat, it contains a sample of "I'm So High" by Grind Mode and interpolation of "Let's Get Lifted" by John Legend. The song is a tribute to a cannabis strain from Hawaii, which it is named after. It gained renewed popularity in the fall of 2025 when it went viral on the video-sharing app TikTok.

TikTok virality

On September 5, 2025, a TikTok user posted a video of himself hanging from a crosswalk sign while lip-syncing lyrics from the song's chorus: "Goin' back to Honolulu just to get that / That Maui Wowie, that Maui Wowie". The clip ignited a trend of people singing these lyrics as they are dangling from street signs, traffic lights, and infrastructure. The song significantly increased in streaming as a result, and entered Spotify's daily songs chart at number 98 and the Viral 50 in October.[1][2][3] Kid Cudi showed appreciation and also participated in the trend, with a video of himself hanging from a traffic light.[4] The challenge has led to warnings about the dangers of this activity from TikTok authorities[2] and the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, the latter stating "Fun's fun, but our road infrastructure isn't a playground. It helps facilitate travel and keeps everyone safe. Please don't use them as props for social media. Let's keep our roads safe." [3] On November 2025, Darren Espanto made a cover of it.[5]

Charts

Chart performance for "Maui Wowie"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Australia On Replay Singles (ARIA)[6] 13
Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[7] 50
Global 200 (Billboard)[8] 156
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA)[9] 19
Lithuania (AGATA)[10] 18
Philippines Hot 100 (Billboard Philippines)[11] 71
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[12] 95
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[13] 97
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[14] 15
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 71
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 15

References

  1. ^ Cowen, Trace William (October 9, 2025). "Kid Cudi's 2008 Track "Maui Wowie" Is Taking Over TikTok: What to Know". Complex Networks. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Bain, Ellissa (October 14, 2025). "What is Maui Wowie from that Honolulu TikTok song, and why are people hanging off signs?!". The Tab. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Sim, Sherlyn (October 14, 2025). "LTA warns against TikTok trend of hanging on to traffic lights and street signs". The Straits Times. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  4. ^ Saponara, Michael (October 15, 2025). "Kid Cudi Joins the 'Maui Wowie' TikTok Trend Reviving His 2008 Song: 'Thank U to Everyone'". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
  5. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (December 15, 2025). "Darren Espanto amused by rendition of 'Maui Wowie' going viral". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  6. ^ "ARIA Top 50 On Replay Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. October 27, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  7. ^ "Kid Cudi Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  8. ^ "Kid Cudi Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  9. ^ "Latvijas populārāko dziesmu topu papildina jaunumi" [Latvia's most popular song charts are updated with new releases] (in Latvian). TV Net. October 28, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  10. ^ "2025 43-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 24, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "Philippines Hot 100 for the week of 27.12.2025". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  12. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 17.10.2025–23.10.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
  13. ^ "Kid Cudi – Maui Wowie". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  14. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 24/10/2025 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "Kid Cudi Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  16. ^ "Kid Cudi Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2025.