Harlem Shake
Harlem Shake
“Harlem Shake” refers to a viral internet dance craze featuring people dancing wildly while a person in a mask remains still in the foreground, followed by a sudden burst of electronic music.
The term originated from a 2013 song of the same name by DJ Baauer and became popular through a series of user-generated videos on YouTube.
What does Harlem Shake mean?
The term “Harlem Shake” in technology refers to a type of video Meme that gained immense popularity in early 2013. These videos typically feature a group of people dancing and lip-syncing to the song “Harlem Shake” by Baauer, while one or two masked individuals perform eccentric or comedic actions in the background.
The Harlem Shake meme first emerged on YouTube in February 2013, when Australian teenager Filthy Frank created and uploaded a video of himself and his friends dancing to the song while wearing ski masks and sunglasses. The video quickly went viral, amassing millions of views within a matter of days.
The meme subsequently spread across various Social Media platforms, with individuals and groups creating their own versions of the dance. The Harlem Shake videos gained widespread recognition due to their humor, absurdity, and the ability to provide a platform for creativity and self-Expression.
Applications
The Harlem Shake meme has had several applications in technology:
- Viral Marketing: The meme’s immense popularity was leveraged by various brands and organizations to promote their products and services through custom-made Harlem Shake videos.
- Entertainment: The meme provided a form of entertainment and amusement, with individuals and groups creating unique and humorous videos to share with others.
- Social Media Engagement: The Harlem Shake videos facilitated social media engagement, with users sharing, commenting, and interacting with these videos across various platforms.
- Collaboration: The meme encouraged collaboration among individuals and groups, as many videos featured friends, co-workers, and even strangers coming together to create a shared experience.
History
The Harlem Shake meme originated in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, known for its vibrant music and dance scene. The song “Harlem Shake,” released in 2012 by Baauer, gained popularity due to its catchy beat and unique sound.
The first Harlem Shake video was created in February 2013 by Filthy Frank, a YouTube personality from Australia. The video quickly gained millions of views and inspired countless others to create their own versions.
The meme reached its peak in popularity in February and March 2013, with videos being shared across social media and traditional media outlets. Since then, the meme’s popularity has waned, but it remains an iconic example of the power of viral content in digital culture.