01
STREET INTERVIEWS / 5:24
Harlem Reacts to the Harlem Shake
10M+ YouTube views
The worldwide meme meets the people of Harlem. The reaction film that started the conversation.
SCHLEPP FILMS / THE HARLEM SERIES
THE WORLD
WAS SHAKING.
HARLEM
HAD A SAY.
The reactions. The real dance. The people and history behind it. Explore the films and the parody that followed.
Explore the collection ↓ Behind the film ↓Read the coverage ↓02
DANCE / 2:35
The Real Harlem Shake
3.7M+ YouTube views
The original Harlem Shake, performed in the streets of Harlem by the Original Harlem Shakers.
03
DANCE HISTORY / 3:27
The Story of the Real Harlem Shake
594K+ YouTube views
A closer look at the dance and the community behind it.
04
PARODY / 1:31
PTHSD: Post-Traumatic Harlem Shake Disorder
196K+ YouTube views
A satirical response to the meme that took over the internet.
YouTube view counts checked September 12, 2026.
THE REAL HARLEM SHAKE / MUSEUM DISPLAY
At the Smithsonian.
Footage from The Real Harlem Shake has been featured in exhibition displays at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
IN THE PRESS / 2013
The conversation
went beyond Harlem.
Selected coverage of Harlem Reacts and filmmaker Chris McGuire, from the moment the world was watching.
The Washington PostFebruary 22, 2013The Harlem Shake: Keep the meme, save the dance
An interview with Chris McGuire.
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Smithsonian MagazineFebruary 20, 2013Presenting the Real Harlem Shake
Connects McGuire’s street interviews with the history behind the original dance.
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NPR · via WWNOFebruary 21, 2013Long Before The Harlem Shake, We Did The Shimmy
Ann Powers discusses Harlem Reacts in her exploration of dance crazes and cultural exchange.
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XXLFebruary 20, 2013Harlem Reacts to Baauer’s “Harlem Shake”
Eric Diep covers McGuire’s trip to 125th Street to hear what Harlem thought.
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The Daily BeastFebruary 20, 2013Harlem Reacts to ‘Harlem Shake’ Meme
Coverage of McGuire’s reaction film.
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Minnesota Spokesman-RecorderMarch 27, 2013‘Harlem Shake’ videos spark effort to ‘resist the fad’
Reports on McGuire’s participation in a university discussion following the film’s viral reach.
Read article ↗ (opens in a new tab)Adweek2013“Harlem Reacts” Creator Launches Campaign to Save the Real “Harlem Shake”
Devon Glenn covers Schlepp Films’ follow-up campaign and quotes Chris on protecting the dance’s cultural roots.
Read article ↗ (opens in a new tab)OkayplayerFebruary 19, 2013Harlem Reacts to the Harlem Shake
Okayplayer spotlights the 125th Street reactions and the cultural collision behind the film.
Read article ↗ (opens in a new tab)EBONYFebruary 20, 2013Harlem Reacts to the New “Harlem Shake”
EBONY shares the reaction film while tracing the original dance back to Harlem.
Read article ↗ (opens in a new tab)DNAinfo · WNYC ArchiveFebruary 20, 2013Viral “Harlem Shake” Videos Get No Love on 125th Street
Jeff Mays interviews Chris about taking the question directly to people on 125th Street.
Read article ↗ (opens in a new tab)ColorlinesFebruary 20, 2013Harlem Residents React to “Harlem Shake” Videos
Jorge Rivas highlights Chris’s street interviews and Harlem residents’ response to the viral craze.
Read article ↗ (opens in a new tab)More places the film traveled.
The film also appeared in regional reporting, New York culture blogs, university teaching and later scholarship.