You know the sound. It’s that distorted, lo-fi phonk beat that starts with a grainy sample and then hits you with a rhythmic, almost hypnotic flow. "I like to cha cha." It’s everywhere. It’s on your TikTok FYP, it’s in the background of a gaming highlight reel on YouTube, and it’s definitely echoing in your head at 3:00 AM.
But what actually is the song I like to cha cha?
If you’ve been searching for it, you probably realized pretty quickly that it isn’t a ballroom dance track. It isn't something your grandparents would put on at a wedding. It’s actually a track called "Cha Cha" by Freddie Dredd, a Canadian artist who basically pioneered a specific flavor of underground hip-hop that sounds like it was recorded on a cassette tape found in a haunted basement. It’s gritty. It’s catchy. Honestly, it’s a bit weird, which is exactly why it blew up.
The Viral Architecture of Freddie Dredd’s Cha Cha
The song didn't just happen. It was a perfect storm of timing and aesthetics. Released back in 2018, it took a minute to truly permeate the mainstream consciousness, but once it hit TikTok, it was over.
Freddie Dredd, born Ryan Mitchel Chassels, uses a style called Phonk. This genre draws heavily from 1990s Memphis rap, characterized by cowbells, distorted bass, and samples that sound like they've been through a woodchipper. In "Cha Cha," the primary hook is a sample from the 1959 song "Sway" by Bobby Rydell—or more specifically, the rhythmic "cha-cha-cha" cadence that has been a staple of Latin-influenced pop for decades.
Why does it work? It’s the contrast. You have this incredibly sweet, vintage vocal snippet paired with lyrics that are... well, not sweet. Freddie Dredd’s lyrics often lean into dark, horrorcore themes. The juxtaposition of a cheerful dance rhythm with a menacing, distorted rap verse creates a cognitive dissonance that listeners find addictive. You’re nodding your head to a rhythm that feels familiar, but the texture of the sound is aggressive and modern.
People started using the song I like to cha cha for everything from makeup tutorials to "transition" videos where creators switch outfits in sync with the beat. The song's structure is tailor-made for short-form content. It has a clear "drop" or shift in energy that allows for a visual punchline.
That "Sway" Sample: Where the Melody Actually Comes From
To understand the song I like to cha cha, you have to look backward. Freddie Dredd is a master of the "flip." He took a piece of music history and dragged it into the 21st century.
The original melody that most people recognize is "Sway," originally a Spanish song titled "Quién será." It was composed by Mexican songwriter Luis Demetrio and Pablo Beltrán Ruiz. While Dean Martin made it a massive hit in the English-speaking world, Freddie’s version specifically leans into that mid-century lounge vibe before the bass kicks in.
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It’s a clever trick.
Sampling is the lifeblood of hip-hop, but the way "Cha Cha" does it feels different because it preserves the "dusty" feel of the original record. When you hear that crackle at the beginning, your brain prepares for a nostalgia trip. Instead, you get a heavy hitting trap beat. This is a hallmark of the "Doomshop" and "Sixset" collectives that Freddie is associated with. They aren't trying to make clean, radio-ready pop. They want it to sound raw.
Why the Internet Can't Stop Remixing It
The song I like to cha cha has survived longer than the average viral hit. Usually, a song trends for two weeks and dies. Freddie Dredd’s "Cha Cha" has had multiple lives.
First, there was the original surge on TikTok.
Then came the slowed-and-reverbed versions.
Then the "sped up" versions for the "nightcore" fans.
Each iteration reaches a new demographic. The "slowed + reverb" version turns the song into a "drift phonk" anthem, often paired with footage of Japanese street racing or aesthetic anime clips. The slower tempo emphasizes the heavy bass and makes the "cha cha" sample sound ghostly and ethereal.
Ironically, the song has become so synonymous with internet culture that many people don't even know Freddie Dredd’s name. They just know "that one song." This is a common phenomenon in the streaming era. A track becomes a "sound" rather than a "composition." But for Freddie, it’s been a massive career catalyst, racking up hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify and making him one of the most successful independent artists in the space.
The Technical Side: Phonk and the "Lo-Fi" Aesthetic
If you’re a music nerd, you’ve probably noticed the "crush" on the audio. That isn't a bad recording; it’s a deliberate choice.
In music production, this is often achieved through bit-crushing or heavy saturation. The goal is to emulate the sound of old analog gear being pushed to its limit. In the song I like to cha cha, the drums are "clipped." This means they are so loud in the mix that they technically distort the audio signal.
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In a traditional studio, a producer would tell you this is a mistake. In the world of Freddie Dredd, it’s the entire point. It creates an "in your face" energy that demands attention. It’s loud, it’s abrasive, and it cuts through the noise of a busy social media feed.
Most phonk tracks rely on the Roland TR-808 cowbell sound. You’ll hear it as a high-pitched, metallic "ding" that follows the melody. In "Cha Cha," the cowbell is more subtle than in some of his other tracks like "Opaul," but the DNA is the same. It’s rhythm-first music. The lyrics are almost secondary to the way the words sound as percussion.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
A lot of people think this song is new. It’s not. As mentioned, it’s several years old. It just happens to be "algorithm-proof."
Another misconception is that it’s a parody. While Freddie Dredd has a sense of humor and his persona is definitely over-the-top, the production is incredibly sophisticated. It takes a lot of skill to make something sound "bad" in a way that sounds good.
There’s also a frequent confusion between this track and other "cha cha" titled songs. No, it’s not the "Cha Cha Slide." It’s also not the D.R.A.M. song "Cha Cha" (which famously sounds like the Super Mario World music). If you’re looking for the one with the dark, heavy bass and the "Sway" sample, you’re looking for Freddie Dredd.
The Lyrics: A Quick Reality Check
We should probably talk about what he’s actually saying. Freddie Dredd’s lyrics are... dark. He often raps from the perspective of a villain in a slasher flick.
"I'm a killa, I'm a killa, I'm a killa..."
He’s playing a character. It’s like a three-minute horror movie. If you actually sit down and read the lyrics to the song I like to cha cha, you’ll realize it’s a far cry from the lighthearted dance the title suggests. He talks about violence, weapons, and general mayhem.
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This is part of the "underground rap" aesthetic. It’s meant to be provocative. For most listeners, though, the lyrics are just textures. The flow is so tight and the beat is so infectious that the actual meaning of the words often takes a backseat to the vibe of the track. It’s a bit like listening to heavy metal; you’re there for the energy, not necessarily for a moral lesson.
How to Find More Music Like This
If the song I like to cha cha has opened a door for you, you’re basically looking at the genre of Phonk. But be warned: it’s a deep rabbit hole.
You have "Drift Phonk," which is very aggressive and high-energy (think KORDHELL or Hensonn). Then you have "Rare Phonk," which is much more chill and jazz-influenced. Freddie Dredd sits somewhere in the middle—he’s got the aggression, but he keeps the "lo-fi" rap roots alive.
Check out artists like:
- Baker Ya Maker
- HydraMane
- Ramirez
- $uicideboy$ (though they are more mainstream/cloud rap)
The common thread is that "vintage" feel. It’s music that sounds like it was recorded in 1994 but produced by someone who understands 2026's bass requirements.
The Cultural Impact of the Cha Cha
It’s easy to dismiss a viral song as just a "meme," but "Cha Cha" changed the game for independent artists. It proved that you don't need a massive label or a multi-million dollar studio to have a global hit. Freddie Dredd recorded most of his early hits in his bedroom.
The song I like to cha cha became a blueprint for "TikTok rap." It showed that if you have a catchy 15-second hook and a unique aesthetic, the internet will do the marketing for you. It’s a democratic way for music to spread, even if it means we all end up with the same five seconds of music stuck in our heads for months on end.
Actionable Steps for Music Lovers and Creators
If you’re a fan or a creator looking to leverage this sound, here is what you need to know:
- For Listeners: If you want the best experience, listen to "Cha Cha" on a system with a decent subwoofer. The low-end frequencies are where the song really lives. Phone speakers don't do the distortion justice; they just make it sound messy.
- For Creators: When using the song I like to cha cha in content, focus on the "switch." The most successful videos are those that use the transition from the "Sway" sample to the heavy bass drop to signal a change in tone, outfit, or scenery.
- For Aspiring Producers: Study the "Sway" sample. Notice how Freddie didn't just loop it—he chopped it to fit a specific 4/4 time signature that allows for a trap drum pattern. Look into "bit-crushing" VSTs if you want to replicate that lo-fi texture.
- Broadening Your Palate: Don't stop at "Cha Cha." Explore the "Sway" originals by Bobby Rydell or Rosemary Clooney. Understanding where the sample came from makes you appreciate the remix even more.
The song I like to cha cha is more than just a 15-second clip. It’s a bridge between the big band era of the 1950s, the gritty underground rap of the 90s, and the viral digital landscape of today. It shouldn't work, but it does. And honestly? It’s probably going to stay on your playlist for a long time.