"Harlem Shake" is a song recorded by American DJ and producer Baauer. It was released as his debut single on May 22, 2012, by Mad Decent imprint label Jeffree's. The uptempo song—variously described as trap, hip hop or bass music—incorporates a mechanical bassline, Dutch house synth riffs, a dance music drop, and samples of growling-lion sounds. It also samples Plastic Little's 2001 song "Miller Time", specifically the vocal "then do the Harlem shake", which is an allusion to the dance of the same name. Baauer added a variety of peculiar sounds to the song so that it would stand out.
Harlem Shake (song)
Baauer (right) in 2012
Screenshots from one of numerous videos from the Harlem Shake meme, which skyrocketed the song's sales and streams
Azealia Banks (2012), one of several rappers who remixed the song
Harry Bauer Rodrigues, known professionally as Baauer, is an American record producer and DJ, best known for his double platinum song "Harlem Shake".
Baauer at S2O Thailand 2023
Baauer performing in 2012