The Harlem Shake

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Stop. Just stop.

The harlem Shake IS the latest yOuTuBE phenomenon to garner fifteen minutes of fame, and we’re not sure why. For those living under a rock, it’s one part dance, one part music, one part ridiculous and it’s everywhere. The premise of each video starts the same featuring “Average Joe” bopping his head to Bauuer’s “Harlem Shake” in a seemingly uninspired location. Then comes the line, “The Harlem Shake,” the beat drops, and the scene turns well...ridiculous. A break out of costumes and explicit dancing ensues before the whole thing ends 30 seconds later. Not pictured in said videos is the actual Harlem Shake, a dance move that’s been around for years.

More remarkable than the number of people joining the Harlem circus is that Bauuer’s song has been around for months—so why now? I’m not sure, but I’ll be over in my cube watching the U.S. Men’s Swim Team Harlem Shake while I wait for these 15 minutes to be up. —kg