After being shared and recreated throughout the world, some Ohio University students have uploaded their own rendition of the viral “Harlem Shake” videos.
The Harlem Shake originated from a 1981 dance by Al Bm who is from Harlem in New York City. The dance involves pivoting one’s shoulder and shimmying, according to CBS News.
On Feb. 2 video blogger Filthy Frank uploaded a video featuring four people dressed in latex suits wearing masks dancing to Baauer’s “Harlem Shake,” a 2012 song. The song was partially remixed from a sample track called “Miller Time” by Plastic Little.
About five different versions of the Harlem Shake have been done by OU students at various locations throughout campus. One version of the video took place in Baker University Center where about 100 students participated.
Chris Pinchot, a sophomore studying multimedia and main director of the “Harlem Shake (Ohio University Official)” YouTube video, said he was inspired to make the clip of the dance after seeing several versions online.
“I was really excited to do this with OU’s support,” he added. “I decided to shoot the video in Baker Center because the center represents us. Having OU support us was a really big deal.”
Brad Gehring, a freshman studying biology, decided to take an alternative approach to recreating the popular dance.
He and his two friends “multiplied” themselves by using video editing software after filming the video in Morton Hall.
“We were bored during the weekend and decided to create a video due to the rising trend of the song,” Gehring said. “We just edited and layered different takes of each individual move,” Gehring said. “I think all the versions of the video on YouTube are hilarious.”
A group of residents in the Read-Johnson Scholars’ Complex also piled into a bathroom and danced in the showers to put their own spin on the “Harlem Shake.”
“Ours was the best,” said Isaac Wilker, a freshman studying business and a participant in the Read-Johnson complex video. “There’s a lot of untapped talent. Michael Jackson would’ve been proud.”
One university concern of shooting the “Harlem Shake” on campus was safety and possible vandalism.
Dustin Kilgour, executive director of Baker Center and Event Services said that he was aware of students attempting the “Harlem Shake” video in Baker Center.
“As long as they don’t break anything…the university fully supports it,” Kilgour said.
Although 4,000 “Harlem Shake” videos are uploaded each day, and even though OU might have an increase in videos getting uploaded, it is predicted that the video will eventually “die” and the trend will end, according to the Los Angeles Times.
hy135010@ohiou.edu
