The Harlem Shake. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, the 2013 answer to “Gangnam Style” has gone viral. If you have no idea what Harlem Shake is, then you first need to watch the video below and keep reading. Read more to understand the video phenomenon sweeping the nation.

Get shakin’

Alright, let’s break it down. The Harlem Shake was first aired on Jan. 30. On Feb. 6, the video caught on and received a little attention. As of Feb. 10, around 12,000 original Harlem Shake videos have been uploaded.

The videos are quite simple: one person, in a mask, plays Baauer’s song Harlem Shake and begins dancing to the song by themself while surrounded by a groups of people completely unaware of the masked person dancing for about 15 seconds. When the bass drops the people who had previously been unaware are suddenly in costume, dancing in a craze for the last 15 seconds. The end result is hilariously ridiculous debauchery.

Ok, but why did it go viral?

Honestly? Two things. 1. It is so easy to recreate. Only a few items and people are necessary to create a Harlem Shake video. You would need a camera, any iPhone or speaker system, any room (big or small), a mask, some costumes and a few friends. And 2. It is SO funny. The first 15 seconds are awkward. And what do you do when something is awkward? Laugh (duh). Then, after laughing at the awkwardness, cut to a group of people in outrageous costumes dancing in the most absurd manners they can. So, because of the absurdity of the short video, you can’t help but laugh.

How did it go viral?

If the explanation above doesn’t give you enough reason, celebrities and other famous people have caught on. Celebrity tweets about their own Harlem Shake videos include (but are not limited to): Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome), Dr. Oz (DrOz), Ed Sheeran (@SupportingEd), Steve Aoki (@SteveAoki), and Jay Leno (@JayLeno).

Watch Jay Leno’s version of The State of the Harlem Shake:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iKhRjvfqkM

Watch the Army’s Harlem Shake:

And check out Dallas’ fail at the Harlem Shake:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao21dOaTv8k

Why did this video fail? TOO LONG. Tell me your thoughts on the Harlem Shake.