About
“What Are Those?” emerged as a defining internet meme of 2015, rapidly spreading across platforms like Instagram and Vine. This meme, built around a short, humorous clip of a man questioning a police officer’s footwear, quickly became a viral phenomenon, amassing millions of views and spawning countless parodies and remixes. The simple yet catchy phrase and relatable scenario propelled “What Are Those?” into the internet culture lexicon, turning it into a shorthand for playfully criticizing someone’s questionable shoe choice.
Origin of “What Are Those?”
The phrase “What Are Those?” predates the viral video, finding its early definition on Urban Dictionary in 2011. An entry by user JOHNxRYAN95 described it as a question directed at individuals wearing unstylish or generic footwear. However, it was Brandon Moore, known online as Young Busco, who truly ignited the meme’s popularity. On June 14th, 2015, Busco uploaded a video to Instagram where he playfully confronted a police officer, loudly exclaiming “What are those?” while pointing at the officer’s black shoes. This impromptu street encounter, captured on video, resonated instantly with online audiences. Within just three weeks, the short clip garnered over 2,300 likes and 1,200 comments on Instagram, marking the humble beginnings of a viral sensation.
A video posted by Snapchat
youngbusco (youngbusco) on
The Precursor to the Meme
Interestingly, the comedic questioning of footwear style has a pop culture antecedent. In Disney’s 1997 animated film Hercules, the villainous Hades utters the line “What are those?” to one of his minions upon noticing he is wearing Hercules-branded merchandise shoes. This subtle nod within a popular movie demonstrates that the humor in questioning someone’s footwear choice for comedic effect was already present in popular culture, laying some groundwork for the internet meme to take hold.
The Rapid Spread of “What Are Those?”
The “What Are Those?” video exploded beyond Instagram when Vine user A-RODney King re-uploaded it on June 18th. Vine’s looping video format proved perfect for the short, punchy clip. Within two weeks, it had looped over 20 million times, accumulating 271,000 likes and 136,000 revines. The meme’s virality was further amplified by YouTube user Crey Crey, who uploaded a looped version on June 20th. This YouTube upload gained over 210,000 views in two weeks. The meme’s rapid dissemination across multiple platforms cemented its place in internet culture.
Compilations and Parodies Emerge
As the meme gained traction, users began creating remixes and parodies. On June 27th, the YouTube channel DeboraGrano Vines compiled notable “What Are Those?” remixes and parodies from Vine, showcasing the burgeoning creative responses to the original clip. This curation of user-generated content further fueled the meme’s spread and demonstrated its versatility for comedic adaptation.
Church Pulpit Prank and Mainstream Recognition
The meme jumped from online circles to real-world pranks. On June 28th, Viner Samuel Grubbs uploaded a video showing a man at a church pulpit interrupting a service to ask a seated churchgoer “What are those?”. The prank, executed in a surprising and public setting, further solidified the meme’s comedic appeal. The meme also achieved mainstream recognition when pop culture blog Complex published an article about the Vine video series on June 29th, followed by an interview with Young Busco himself. This mainstream media coverage validated the meme’s cultural impact and broadened its reach beyond social media enthusiasts.
Autotune Remix and Celebrity Engagement
The meme continued to evolve creatively. On July 1st, Viner Danny Gonzalez uploaded an autotuned remix of the original “what are those” audio, dubbing it over a scene from Jurassic Park. This autotuned version, blending the meme with a classic movie scene, went viral, garnering 8.9 million loops in just 24 hours. Celebrities also began to engage with the meme. On July 21st, Viner Joey Gatto shared a Vine of himself pranking his grandmother with “What are those?”, to which she calmly responded “they are my Crocs.” This intergenerational engagement, even if staged, highlighted the meme’s widespread appeal and adaptability.
Michael Jordan’s Hilarious Response
The meme reached a pinnacle of pop culture relevance when it intersected with basketball legend Michael Jordan. On August 4th, Viner Bryce Lyle posted a video of a boy at a Michael Jordan basketball camp pranking Jordan with “what are those???” during a Q&A session. Jordan’s reaction was priceless. Initially confused, he then playfully retorted, “I have one question for you… What are those???” before explaining, “These are 29 lows.” Jordan’s self-deprecating humor and embrace of the meme solidified its place in mainstream consciousness and demonstrated its reach even to iconic figures outside of internet culture.
The Legacy of Brandon Moore and “What Are Those?”
Tragically, Brandon Moore, the originator of the “What Are Those?” meme, passed away in November 2018. Rumors of his death circulated on Twitter on November 25th, and were confirmed by news reports and an obituary. Fans and online communities mourned the creator of this iconic meme. Tributes poured in, with many users on Twitter sharing the original “What Are Those?” video as a memorial to Moore’s comedic contribution to internet culture. His unexpected passing served as a poignant reminder of the human element behind viral internet phenomena and the lasting impact a simple, humorous video can have.
Search Interest
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External References
[1] Complex – Sneakerheads are trolling everyone
[2] YouTube – What are those?
[3] Vine – A-RodneyKing
[4] Urban Dictionary – What Are Those?!
[5] Complex – Meet the Originator of the
[6] Instagram – youngbusco
[7] Twitter – Bryce Lyle’s Tweet
[8] ABC7 – MICHAEL JORDAN VICTIM OF TEEN’S ‘WHAT ARE THOSE’ MEME SLAM
[9] Meme Documentation – What Are Those? Meme
[10] Complex – Funniest “What Are Thooooose?!” Memes
[11] BuzzFeed – A Guy Made Fun Of A Police Officer’s Shoes And Now It’s A Huge Meme
[12] Reddit – What is the “What are those?!?!” meme, and why did Michael Jordan get a huge response with his answer?
[13] TIME – A Teen Tried the ‘What Are Those?’ Shoes Meme On Michael Jordan
[14] Funny Or Die – What Are Thooooose? The Journey Of A Meme From An Officer To His Airness
[15] Noisey – THE BEST “WHAT ARE THOOOOOOOOSE?” SONGS, REVIEWED
[16] Twitter – @melissacolorado
[17] EveryDayDevotional – Obituary
[18] MTO News – Instagram Star YOUNG BUSCO Dies In His Sleep
