Fortnite’s Next Festival Collab Brings Back a 2016 Meme Nobody Expected

Fortnite is once again dipping into the internet’s vault of viral moments — and this time, it’s reviving one of the strangest hits of the 2010s that nobody saw coming.

Epic Games’ battle royale phenomenon has long shown affection for internet humor. From Rickrolls and Gangnam Style to full-blown crossovers like the Skibidi Toilet skin bundle, Fortnite has built an empire on meme nostalgia. But now, Epic is reaching way back into the archives — to the 2016 sensation that blended fruit, stationery, and absurd comedy.

Yes, “Pen Pineapple Apple Pen” (PPAP) is officially heading to Fortnite Festival.

🎶 Fortnite Festival Teases “Pen Pineapple Apple Pen” Collaboration

On September 7, dataminers uncovered leaks suggesting that PPAP would soon join Fortnite as a Festival track.

Just hours later, the official Fortnite Festival account on X (formerly Twitter) posted a cryptic line of emojis — 🖊️🍍🍎🖊️ — instantly sending the community into nostalgic chaos. Even casual players didn’t need to be terminally online to decode that message.

For anyone who somehow missed the original meme, Pikotaro, a Japanese comedian clad in leopard print, took the world by storm in 2016 with a 45-second song looping the words “I have a pen, I have an apple...” over an absurdly catchy beat. The video became one of the earliest examples of truly global meme virality.

If the track indeed arrives as part of Fortnite’s Jam Tracks, players can expect lobbies filled with nostalgic rhythm sessions — or muted mics from those who’ve had their fill of meme music.

🎧 How the Crossover Might Work

Leaked files hint that “Pen Pineapple Apple Pen” won’t headline a major event but instead join the Jam Track library — Fortnite’s rhythm-based minigame inspired by Rock Band. Players can perform the track solo or in a group, complete with the game’s festival lights and animations.

While not yet confirmed by Epic Games, the inclusion seems all but certain given the official teaser. The only mystery now is whether it’ll come with extra cosmetics, like a Pikotaro-inspired outfit or themed emote.

💬 Fans React: “Why This Meme?”

The Fortnite community’s reaction has been a mix of confusion and delight.“2016 is that way,” one player joked in response to the teaser, while another quipped, “If this is the only Jam Track, we’re gonna riot.”

Others leaned into the chaos:

“An old meme no one talks about anymore — so happy for the one person who asked for this!”

Meanwhile, some fans demanded Epic go all-in on the nostalgia:

“Forget the Jam Track — give us the emote!”

🕹️ Fortnite’s Meme Legacy Lives On

From viral dances to joke skins, Fortnite has always blurred the line between gaming and internet culture. The PPAP addition proves Epic is still paying attention to online history — no matter how random it seems.

Whether you’re ready to dance to Pen Pineapple Apple Pen again or just shake your head at 2016’s comeback, one thing’s certain: Fortnite remains the internet’s most unpredictable stage.