Harlem Shake becoming a viral movement will go down as a moment in electronic dance music’s history. But the track made in Baauer’s Williamsburg apartment was never designed to be a mainstream hit. Harry Rodrigues (Baauer) will be content if it never happens again.
“I got a taste of what it’s like to have a song in that stratosphere and I can tell you that I’m happy with that being the only time it happens. I don’t want that shit.”
After the first video premiered in February and went viral shortly after, Baauer started getting calls from everyone. He even turned down doing ‘The Harlem Shake’ on Good Morning America. What must seem like a dream to many, wasn’t for the producer born from the internet.
Baauer says that he hasn’t seen any money directly from the track, but even if he never sees a check from “Harlem Shake” the song skyrocketed his popularity which lead to tons of bookings and even a residency at The Light Las Vegas.
He doesn’t feel any pressure to repeat the success, but does realize that a lot of the members of the audience are expecting him to play the track during his set. That’s what they paid money for. This doesn’t phase Baauer who takes the opinion of “But whatever, fuck ’em”.
The situation is eerily similar to Avicii complaining about “Levels” and announcing that the track is dead. For artists, it can be difficult to move forward from what made you popular, but it seems that Baauer has the integrity to make it happen.
via Pitchfork photo by Jasmine Safaeian
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