What is The Harlem Shake? No, I'm not talking about the 1920s dance craze that originated in Harlem, New York.
I'm talking about the modern-day hip-hop dance that involves jerky arm and shoulder movements in time to music.
This dance has a rich history and has evolved from its humble beginnings in Harlem to become a viral Internet meme that took the world by storm.
The Harlem Shake was created by a Harlem resident named Albert Boyce, also known as Al B., in 1981.
The dance was initially called "The Albee" or "The Al. B." but became known as the Harlem Shake as its popularity grew beyond the neighborhood.
In 2001, the dance was introduced to the mainstream by G. Dep's music video for the song "Let's Get It."(Listen with Music Unlimited)
The Harlem Shake is often associated with another popular dance move called "The Chicken Noodle Soup," which evolved from the Harlem Shake and became a summer hit in 2006 thanks to DJ Webstar and Young B's song of the same name.
The Harlem Shake has also been referenced in several songs, including CunninLynguists' "Old School," Mac Dre's "Thizzle Dance," and Nelly's "Dilemma."
In fact, a band from New York City took the name of the dance and called themselves Harlem Shakes.
But the most significant cultural impact of the Harlem Shake came in early 2013 when it became a viral Internet meme.
Thousands of videos featuring the dance were uploaded to YouTube every day, and the meme quickly spread to other social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The Harlem Shake meme usually begins with one person (often helmeted or masked) dancing to the song "Harlem Shake" by Baauer alone for 15 seconds, surrounded by other people who seem unaware of the dancing individual.
When the bass drops, the video cuts to the entire group dancing for the rest of the video. This formula was repeated in countless different settings, from offices to classrooms to public spaces, and was even featured on mainstream media outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN.
While the Harlem Shake meme has died down in popularity since its peak in 2013, the dance move and meme remain a part of popular culture.
The Harlem Shake is a fun and engaging dance that has evolved over the years and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
So next time you hear the song "Harlem Shake," get up and show off your moves! Who knows, you might just start the next viral Internet trend.
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