In early 2013 the “Harlem Shake” meme erupted: short videos that began with one person dancing alone among oblivious others, then cut to an all-out, chaotic group dance to Baauer’s track “Harlem Shake.” The memetic template spread rapidly across YouTube and social networks, spawning thousands of playful, low-budget variations and becoming a defining short-form meme of that year.
One video, uploaded to a channel since deleted, allegedly showed Steezy Grossman performing a solo Harlem Shake in a public library, only to fake a slip, fall into a stack of encyclopedias, and cut to a "poop" sound effect. That video is gone from YouTube. But the Internet Archive captured it. harlem shake poop steezy grossman internet archive
VerdictThis archive is not for the faint of heart or those seeking high-definition entertainment. It is loud, visually taxing, and intentionally "gross." However, as a historical record of remix culture, it is an essential piece of the puzzle for anyone studying the evolution of viral memes and the absurdist humor that defined the early 2010s. Chronicle: “Harlem Shake — Poop Steezy Grossman —
What makes this video "good" for archivists is the sheer contrast between this "Steezy Grossman" persona and the high-energy, educational Blippi character that followed. It’s a fascinating example of how a creator can completely reinvent their brand. The Archive Factor: But the Internet Archive captured it
In 2013, at the height of the viral "Harlem Shake" meme, John released a video under the Steezy Grossman moniker titled " Harlem Shake Poop
The Legacy of the Harlem Shake and Poop Steezy Grossman