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Joe Dreamz was prepared to pivot from TikTok
But he’s glad it’s back, and hopes Trump can help
“Are you living Joe Dreamz?”; Green light, go: Joe Dreamz takes it to the streets.
As most parents of teenagers know, TikTok went dark on Saturday, January 18, following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a ban that received widespread bipartisan support in Congress and was signed into law in April by then-President Joe Biden. The app was banned due to national security concerns regarding the Chinese government’s potential access to user data via the platform. Opening the app revealed the message, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
My daughter and her friends were distraught; they had spent hours dancing and singing together via the app. They disliked using Instagram because their grandparents and parents were there. Additionally, Instagram Reels didn’t let kids film themselves dancing while simultaneously listening to the music. Rapper Snoop Dogg, who has 29.3 million followers on TikTok, posted a video to his Instagram’s 88 million followers depicting a boy crying while trying to dance. The caption read, “TikTok influencers posting content on their IG Reels.”
Some San Diegans responded by heading to Tijuana, where TikTok still worked. Others signed up for China’s RedNote app, even signing up for Duolingo so that they could navigate RedNote’s use of Mandarin. But local rapper and Lyft driver Joseph Harrison says he “looked into RedNote and it felt too restrictive and reminded me of outdated regimes.” Instead, he pivoted to YouTube shorts, plus X and Instagram Reels. “One of the reasons I’ve been able to navigate the TikTok ban was because I’ve always prioritized personal development,” he told me. “I believe that every challenge is an opportunity in disguise.” Harrison shifted his focus to maintain visibility. “Instagram has a different algorithm, but the core remains the same — engagement and authentic connections.”
Harrison broke through on TikTok with a spontaneous video filmed at Liberty Station in early 2023. In the 36-second clip, he is rapping while perched atop his gold-colored speaker. Then a woman addresses him: “In the name of Jesus Christ, I rebuke you Satan,” she says. “Get down from there.” Harrison, who has rapped against wittier and more aggressive haters, is unfazed by the confrontation, and continues: “Hello Rock Church, my name is Joe Dreamz. When I say, ‘Joe,’ you say, ‘Dreamz!’” The heckling woman responds, “Nooooo, we say ‘Jesus,’ only.” Undeterred, Harrison continues rhyming, until the woman asks, “You’re not going to get down?” and orders, “Satan get away from here!” Without missing a beat, Harrison replies, “For your information, I know they’re waiting for my downfall, anticipating, but just like Jesus said, ‘Get behind me Satan.’ There’s a seed in me that wants to turn into a tree.” At this point, the woman says “Okay,” and walks away.
The clip has garnered 5 million plays since its upload on TikTok and millions more across other platforms. Two other viral videos have helped him acquire 291,000 followers and 7.5 million likes as this article goes to print. “There’s no formula on how to go viral,” he told me. “It’s just like fishing; you just have to throw the line out there and let the algorithms work.”
Of course, TikTok isn’t just about connections. It’s also about money. Influencer Charli D’Amelio — who once created a TikTok video at San Diego’s Safari Zoo Park while putting on makeup and getting coffee — reportedly makes $247,000 per TikTok video. Not a bad gig for a 20-year-old. D’Amelio was also the highest-earning TikToker in 2019 and 2022, lip-synching and dancing her way to the bank.
Sponsors and collaborators typically analyze TikTok metrics before providing free products or monetary compensation for posting about them on social media. I asked Harrison if he worried that being unable to access his analytics — including views, engagements in the comment section, re-shares, and the longevity of viewers staying on his videos before swiping away — would affect the business side of his efforts. He said that he would just go with the flow. He has other source of income: his social media presence has helped make him a successful Lyft driver, as many of his riders recognize him and shoot clips with him.
For now, Harrison is content with his that gig and public appearances rapping on busy thoroughfares around San Diego. He occasionally receives sponsorship money, swag, and free food. One of his sponsors is Everbowls — a craft superfood franchise with seven locations around San Diego County — a fact Harrison proudly promotes on his TikTok feeds. “There’s a difference between a good opportunity and the right opportunity,” he continued. “How do you know if it’s the right opportunity? Does this inspire people to live ‘Joe Dreamz?’” (His stage name is a wordplay on “your dreams,” and he sometimes posts people’s responses to his question, “Are you living Joe Dreamz?”) “Someone could offer me like a billion dollars to do an adult film,” he added, “and I wouldn’t do it, because it doesn’t help the mission of Joe Dreamz. But if someone offered me $10 to do another type of thing, like a birthday shoutout to one of their kids, and it’s within the mission — then I probably take it.”
Happily for both Harrsion and my daughter, the app was functional again by Sunday morning. The pop-up message read, “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.” Trump had signed an executive order that the ban be suspended for 75 days, and that companies collaborating with TikTok will not held liable during this period.
“TikTok was the first platform that ever paid me to post,” Harrison said, relieved. “New fans, new gigs, and new ideas are all fruit from the TikTok tree. And when it vanished, I imagined how it would impact creators whose ‘Dreamz’ depended on the platform and how the flow of traffic would migrate to Instagram and X. So I prepared to double down on those platforms. TikTok isn’t in the clear yet, but I hope Trump is able to work his ‘Art of the Deal’ and keep it online with American ownership. I’d rather be spied on by Americans than the Chinese.”
Here's something you might be interested in.
Joe Dreamz was prepared to pivot from TikTok
But he’s glad it’s back, and hopes Trump can help
Joe Dreamz was prepared to pivot from TikTok
But he’s glad it’s back, and hopes Trump can help
“Are you living Joe Dreamz?”; Green light, go: Joe Dreamz takes it to the streets.
As most parents of teenagers know, TikTok went dark on Saturday, January 18, following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a ban that received widespread bipartisan support in Congress and was signed into law in April by then-President Joe Biden. The app was banned due to national security concerns regarding the Chinese government’s potential access to user data via the platform. Opening the app revealed the message, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
My daughter and her friends were distraught; they had spent hours dancing and singing together via the app. They disliked using Instagram because their grandparents and parents were there. Additionally, Instagram Reels didn’t let kids film themselves dancing while simultaneously listening to the music. Rapper Snoop Dogg, who has 29.3 million followers on TikTok, posted a video to his Instagram’s 88 million followers depicting a boy crying while trying to dance. The caption read, “TikTok influencers posting content on their IG Reels.”
Some San Diegans responded by heading to Tijuana, where TikTok still worked. Others signed up for China’s RedNote app, even signing up for Duolingo so that they could navigate RedNote’s use of Mandarin. But local rapper and Lyft driver Joseph Harrison says he “looked into RedNote and it felt too restrictive and reminded me of outdated regimes.” Instead, he pivoted to YouTube shorts, plus X and Instagram Reels. “One of the reasons I’ve been able to navigate the TikTok ban was because I’ve always prioritized personal development,” he told me. “I believe that every challenge is an opportunity in disguise.” Harrison shifted his focus to maintain visibility. “Instagram has a different algorithm, but the core remains the same — engagement and authentic connections.”
Harrison broke through on TikTok with a spontaneous video filmed at Liberty Station in early 2023. In the 36-second clip, he is rapping while perched atop his gold-colored speaker. Then a woman addresses him: “In the name of Jesus Christ, I rebuke you Satan,” she says. “Get down from there.” Harrison, who has rapped against wittier and more aggressive haters, is unfazed by the confrontation, and continues: “Hello Rock Church, my name is Joe Dreamz. When I say, ‘Joe,’ you say, ‘Dreamz!’” The heckling woman responds, “Nooooo, we say ‘Jesus,’ only.” Undeterred, Harrison continues rhyming, until the woman asks, “You’re not going to get down?” and orders, “Satan get away from here!” Without missing a beat, Harrison replies, “For your information, I know they’re waiting for my downfall, anticipating, but just like Jesus said, ‘Get behind me Satan.’ There’s a seed in me that wants to turn into a tree.” At this point, the woman says “Okay,” and walks away.
The clip has garnered 5 million plays since its upload on TikTok and millions more across other platforms. Two other viral videos have helped him acquire 291,000 followers and 7.5 million likes as this article goes to print. “There’s no formula on how to go viral,” he told me. “It’s just like fishing; you just have to throw the line out there and let the algorithms work.”
Of course, TikTok isn’t just about connections. It’s also about money. Influencer Charli D’Amelio — who once created a TikTok video at San Diego’s Safari Zoo Park while putting on makeup and getting coffee — reportedly makes $247,000 per TikTok video. Not a bad gig for a 20-year-old. D’Amelio was also the highest-earning TikToker in 2019 and 2022, lip-synching and dancing her way to the bank.
Sponsors and collaborators typically analyze TikTok metrics before providing free products or monetary compensation for posting about them on social media. I asked Harrison if he worried that being unable to access his analytics — including views, engagements in the comment section, re-shares, and the longevity of viewers staying on his videos before swiping away — would affect the business side of his efforts. He said that he would just go with the flow. He has other source of income: his social media presence has helped make him a successful Lyft driver, as many of his riders recognize him and shoot clips with him.
For now, Harrison is content with his that gig and public appearances rapping on busy thoroughfares around San Diego. He occasionally receives sponsorship money, swag, and free food. One of his sponsors is Everbowls — a craft superfood franchise with seven locations around San Diego County — a fact Harrison proudly promotes on his TikTok feeds. “There’s a difference between a good opportunity and the right opportunity,” he continued. “How do you know if it’s the right opportunity? Does this inspire people to live ‘Joe Dreamz?’” (His stage name is a wordplay on “your dreams,” and he sometimes posts people’s responses to his question, “Are you living Joe Dreamz?”) “Someone could offer me like a billion dollars to do an adult film,” he added, “and I wouldn’t do it, because it doesn’t help the mission of Joe Dreamz. But if someone offered me $10 to do another type of thing, like a birthday shoutout to one of their kids, and it’s within the mission — then I probably take it.”
Happily for both Harrsion and my daughter, the app was functional again by Sunday morning. The pop-up message read, “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.! You can continue to create, share, and discover all the things you love on TikTok.” Trump had signed an executive order that the ban be suspended for 75 days, and that companies collaborating with TikTok will not held liable during this period.
“TikTok was the first platform that ever paid me to post,” Harrison said, relieved. “New fans, new gigs, and new ideas are all fruit from the TikTok tree. And when it vanished, I imagined how it would impact creators whose ‘Dreamz’ depended on the platform and how the flow of traffic would migrate to Instagram and X. So I prepared to double down on those platforms. TikTok isn’t in the clear yet, but I hope Trump is able to work his ‘Art of the Deal’ and keep it online with American ownership. I’d rather be spied on by Americans than the Chinese.”
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