The Harlem shake, originally called the albee in Harlem, is a dance that started in 1981. The dance became mainstream in 2001 when G-Dep featured the Harlem shake in his music video Let's Get It. It has its history from an North-East African or Ethiopian (Abyssinian) dance called "Eskista" and was allegedly started in Harlem by a man named Al B. It ancient form "Eskista" is still used in Ethiopia today. [1]
The Harlem Shake is a dance that originally began in Harlem, New York. Since its beginnings it has spread to other urban areas and became popular in music videos. The announcers at the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic at Rucker Park will tell you that the modern day Harlem Shake was started by a man by the name of “Al B” (nickname Sisqo or Cisco). Al B was an alcoholic that would do the dance upon request. Because of its founder, the dance was originally called the “albee” in Rucker and Harlem, but then later became known as the Harlem Shake. [2]
Al B is quoted saying that the dance is “a drunken shake anyway, its an alcoholic shake, but its fantastic, everybody appreciates it.” He it comes from the ancient Egyptians and describes it as what the mummies used to do.[3] Because they were all wrapped up they couldn’t really move, all they could do was shake. Harlem Shake is based on an North-East African dance called the Eskista. [4] [5]
Al B states that he has been doing the Harlem Shake since 1981. The dance first caught on at the Entertainer's Basketball Classic or EBC and spread from there to other areas. [6]
Though starting in 1981, the Harlem Shake became mainstream in 2001 when G-Dep featured the dance in his music video “Lets Get It”. [7]
The Harlem Shake is commonly associated with a similar dance move called The Chicken Noodle Soup. The Chicken Noodle Soup evolved from the Harlem Shake and exploded into popularity in the summer of 2006 when DJ Webstar and Young B brought it to the mainstream. [8]
The dance is referred to in the CunninLynguists song, "Old School" and in Nelly's song, "Dilemma."
A band from New York City took the name of the dance and dubbed themselves "Harlem Shakes." Their debut album Technicolor Health was released March 24, 2009.
To perform the Harlem Shake, move one shoulder down towards the ground and make the other shoulder unseen. At the same time shimmy your body. While continuing to shimmy, switch shoulders. During the shimmying, utilize your arms, legs, and body. The arms should be kept close the body during while performing this dance. [9]