Harlem Shake — Baauer

Harlem Shake remains the most viral fraud in chart history, a trap instrumental that hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2013 purely through millions of amateur meme videos, not musical substance. Baauer's track accumulated over 1 billion YouTube views within months, yet its cultural footprint vanished faster than any other one-hit wonder on this list—a complete reversal of typical viral longevity. It outperforms #10 Friday in its sheer lack of artistic intent: while Rebecca Black's song was at least a sincere vanity project, Harlem Shake was a gimmick co-opted by the internet. This 2-minute-19-second loop of bass drops and distorted vocals raises an uncomfortable question: can a viral moment built on participatory dance clips ever equal genuine musical success? The data suggests no, as the track sold 2 million copies but generated zero lasting fandom, a 100% conversion rate from hype to irrelevance—far worse than the average one-hit wonder's 10–15% sustainable audience.