No, Pink Guy did not invent the Harlem Shake dance. His role was pivotal in popularizing the "Harlem Shake" internet meme, which involved a specific song and video format, but neither the original dance nor the song itself originated with him.
Understanding the Harlem Shake Phenomenon
The term "Harlem Shake" refers to several distinct, yet interconnected, entities: an original dance, a popular song, and a viral internet meme. Understanding the timeline and contributions of each element clarifies Pink Guy's actual involvement.
The Harlem Shake Dance
The original Harlem Shake dance is a freestyle street dance that originated in Harlem, New York City, in the early 1980s. It predates the viral internet sensation by decades. This dance is characterized by a specific shaking movement of the upper body and shoulders.
The "Harlem Shake" Song
The song that became central to the viral meme is titled "Harlem Shake," an electronic dance music (EDM) track.
- Release: This song was originally released by American DJ and producer Baauer in May 2012.
- Naming: The song itself was named "Harlem Shake" because it incorporated a sampled line that referred to the original Harlem Shake dance, acknowledging its cultural roots.
Pink Guy's Role in the Internet Meme
Pink Guy, also known as FilthyFrank or DizastaMusic at the time, played a significant role in transforming Baauer's song into a global internet phenomenon.
- Viral Catalyst: In February 2013, a YouTube video created by DizastaMusic, featuring Baauer's "Harlem Shake" song, went massively viral. This video format typically began with one person dancing subtly in a crowd, and then, at the song's beat drop, the entire group would erupt into chaotic, often humorous, dancing.
- Meme Popularity: This specific video format, inspired by Pink Guy's content, rapidly spread across the internet, leading to countless user-generated "Harlem Shake" videos mimicking the style. His video was the primary catalyst for the song becoming an Internet meme.
Key Distinctions
To clarify the exact roles, consider the following breakdown:
| Entity | Creator/Originator | Role in the Phenomenon |
|---|---|---|
| Harlem Shake (Dance) | Original Harlem community | An authentic street dance originating in the 1980s, independent of the song and meme. The song was named after this dance. |
| "Harlem Shake" (Song) | Baauer | Released in May 2012, this instrumental track provided the audio backdrop for the later viral meme. It sampled a line referring to the Harlem Shake dance. |
| Harlem Shake (Internet Meme) | DizastaMusic (Pink Guy) | Through a YouTube video released in February 2013, Pink Guy popularized a specific video format featuring Baauer's song, turning it into a global viral trend where groups of people would perform coordinated chaos. |
In summary, while Pink Guy's creativity and online influence were crucial in making the "Harlem Shake" a household name as an internet meme, he neither created the original dance nor composed the song that accompanied it.
