Abstract

In May 2012, Harry Rodrigues, aka DJ Baauer, released a sampled dance track called “Harlem Shake.” ¹ Initially little known, the song developed into a pandemic Internet meme in Spring 2013. An initial video by George Miller of friends dancing to the track went viral. ² Versions of Baauer’s “Harlem Shake” circulated on YouTube, with countless amateurs making and uploading interpretations. Amateur and professional musicians released sanctioned and unauthorized remixes of the track. ³ For a short time, the “Shake” was lauded for highlighting the grassroots nature of media organization and the significant role of amateur and user-generated content in shaping contemporary culture.