The Harlem Shake is technically very easy for fans to reproduce, as it consists of a single locked camera shot and one jump cut. The Washington Post explained the meme's instant virality by referring to the jump cuts, hypnotic beat, quick setups, and half minute routines. This success of the videos was in part attributed to the anticipation of the breakout moment and short length, making them very accessible to watch. Typically, but not always, the video will end by converting to slow motion on the feline growl. Additionally, in the second half of the video, people often wear either a minimum of clothes or outlandish outfits or costumes while wielding strange props. The dancing style should not be confused with the original Harlem Shake dance. When the bass drops, the video cuts to the entire group dancing for the rest of the video.
Usually, a video begins with one person (often helmeted or masked) dancing to the song alone for 15 seconds, surrounded by other people not paying attention or seemingly unaware of the dancing individual. Baauer's song starts with a 15-second intro, a bass drop, then 15 seconds with the bass, and a lion roar at the end of the first 30 seconds. The videos usually last about 30 seconds and feature an excerpt of the 2012 song " Harlem Shake" by American music producer and DJ Baauer. 5.1 Performances with unforeseen consequences.The video opens with the first use of the Harlem Shake meme, and started a viral trend of people uploading their own "Harlem Shake" videos to YouTube. The video featured the character "Pink Guy" from The Filthy Frank Show entitled "Filthy Compilation #6 - Smell My Fingers", which featured a section where several costumed people danced to the song "Harlem Shake" by Baauer. The meme form was established in a video uploaded on February 2, 2013, by YouTube personality George Miller on his DizastaMusic channel. ĭespite its name, the meme does not actually involve participants performing the original Harlem Shake dance, a street and hip hop dance that originated in 1980s Harlem, New York City rather, the meme usually features participants performing flailing or convulsive movements. The meme became viral in early February 2013, with thousands of "Harlem Shake" videos being made and uploaded to YouTube every day at the height of its popularity. The Harlem Shake is an Internet meme in the form of a video in which a group of people dance to a short excerpt from the song " Harlem Shake".
Screenshots from a Harlem Shake video, showing the characteristic static jump cut from one dancer to a wild dance party after the song's drop.