What Is the Harlem Shake?

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".

What is the meaning of Harlem Shake?

The Harlem Shake is a viral YouTube video that became an Internet meme in early February 2013. The video is usually half a minute long and features people unceremoniously flopping and flailing about, starting with a single person and then a group joining in about halfway through the video.

Who came up with the Harlem Shake?

The “Harlem Shake” originated with a drunken man named Albert Boyce dancing at Harlem's Rucker Park basketball court in 1981. It was sobered up by children in the bleachers and became a popular dance in the hip-hop community. When Boyce died in 2006, the dance had found its way into some rap songs and videos.