Planning a Harlem Shake? Resources to Optimize Your 30 Seconds of Fame
Just perfected your Gangnam gallop? Forget it – the Harlem Shake is where it's at. Baauer, a Brooklyn producer, released this electronic dance groove last May. This month, a 30-second concept video set to Baauer's song went viral. Not only that, 40,000+ videos have since been posted to YouTube by people doing their own version. Celebrities, office workers, firefighters, grannies, cats, campuses and the military are offering their spin on the Shake. Check it out on CBC and CTV, in the Star, the L.A. Times, the Independant, Forbes, and the Huffington Post.
Here's how it works: a lone dancer (wearing a helmut or mask) dances to the intro, ignored by those around them. The beat drops, a jump cut, and everyone goes nuts. Dancers in costume (or in underwear), waving props, do a very loose approximation of the Harlem Shake – an old-school hip hop dance made famous by American rapper, G-Dep in Let's Get It.
Here is a fraction of the funniest (heads up: some are nerdishly naughty).
*Updated* Check out this interesting video response: Harlem Reacts to 'Harlem Shake' Videos.
Planning your own Harlem Shake video? Hurry, before the cool kids on Tumblr say this meme is over.
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This version has only two people, but it's sweet. Note the bemused family dog in the background.
Con los terroristas!
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3 thoughts on “Planning a Harlem Shake? Resources to Optimize Your 30 Seconds of Fame”
I woke up this morning to a partner watching Harlem Shake videos. First I’d seen. I joined in until I got a cramp in my leg. Advisory: always warm up before attempting a Harlem Shake.
Excellent advice indeed. There are hidden health risks in attempting to “Twerk” without warm-up. I myself, almost fell over backwards attempting to do the Bernie before my morning coffee. 🙂
Great post, Viveca! Any reason to have fun works for me!