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:
A dancer (Steezy Grossman parody) does the Harlem Shake, then unexpectedly defecates (“poop”)—or a cartoon poop emoji appears. The video was uploaded to YouTube, later deleted, but preserved on the Internet Archive via a or as a .mp4 in the Community Video collection.
The screen exploded into chaos. The camera shook violently. Figures jumped into the frame. It was a whirlwind of limbs and furniture. The absurdity was palpable. And then, it happened. harlem shake poop steezy grossman internet archive
Before Stevin John became a household name for toddlers, he created content under the alias . During the height of the viral "Harlem Shake" dance craze, John uploaded a highly controversial video that he has spent years attempting to scrub from the internet using DMCA takedown notices. However, the clip remains preserved for cultural research via digital preservation platforms like the Internet Archive . The Origin: Steezy Grossman and 2013 Shock Humor
The internet archive is a vast digital cemetery, housing billions of dead links, forgotten home videos, and remnants of hyper-specific subcultures. Among these relics lies a perplexing combination of keywords that perfectly encapsulates the chaotic, surrealist humor of the early-to-mid 2010s: "harlem shake poop steezy grossman." What makes this video "good" for archivists is
To understand the story, one must first understand the cultural moment that gave it life. Early 2013 was dominated by an explosive internet meme: the "Harlem Shake." The format was simple: a single person, often masked or helmeted, dances alone to the introductory plodding synth of Baauer's "Harlem Shake." Then, as the bass drops, the video cuts to a chaotic scene of a group of people dancing in absurd, often ridiculous, costumes. It was a perfect vessel for spontaneous, low-effort creativity, and at its peak, an estimated 4,000 "Harlem Shake" videos were being uploaded to YouTube every single day. It was the "Ice Bucket Challenge" or "Mannequin Challenge" of its time, replicated by everyone from college students to professional sports teams.
Baauer's Harlem Shake, a song that blended elements of trap, drill, and electronic music, was first released in 2012. However, it wasn't until a video posted on YouTube by a user named Matt posted featuring a group of people dancing to the song in a bizarre, flailing manner that the Harlem Shake truly took off. The video quickly racked up millions of views, and soon, the dance craze had spread to social media platforms, music festivals, and even mainstream media outlets. The video was uploaded to YouTube, later deleted,
I have no idea who made this. I have no idea why it’s preserved for future historians. But I’m genuinely grateful.
“Con los terroristas…”