When it comes to internet culture, few gestures have captured the public’s imagination quite like the dab. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, watching a sports highlight reel, or even attending a family gathering, chances are you’ve seen someone throw a dab. But how did this simple, angular arm movement become one of the most recognizable memes in modern history? Let’s dive into the world of the dab meme, exploring its origins, cultural significance, and the hilarious ways it has been embraced across the globe.
The Origins of the Dab
The dab didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Its roots trace back to the vibrant world of hip-hop culture in the southern United States. Specifically, Atlanta, Georgia, is often credited as the birthplace of the dab.
Birth in the Atlanta Hip-Hop Scene
The dab first emerged in the early 2010s as a dance move popularized by artists from Atlanta’s hip-hop community. Rappers like Skippa Da Flippa and the group Migos began incorporating the dab into their performances and music videos. While the exact origins are still debated, Skippa Da Flippa is often credited with being one of the earliest adopters of the move.
- Migos and “Look at My Dab”: The group Migos played a significant role in bringing the dab to mainstream attention. Their 2015 hit song “Look at My Dab” not only showcased the move but also helped solidify its place in pop culture.
- Cultural Influences: The dab’s simplicity and swagger made it an instant hit. It’s a move that’s easy to learn but exudes confidence—a perfect recipe for a dance trend.
Early Popularity and Spread
Once the dab gained traction in the hip-hop scene, it wasn’t long before it started spreading to other areas of popular culture.
- Athletes Join In: The dab’s big break came when athletes, particularly in the NFL and NBA, started incorporating the move into their celebrations. Cam Newton, quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, famously dabbed after scoring touchdowns, bringing the move to a broader audience.
- Social Media Explosion: Platforms like Vine, Instagram, and Twitter played a crucial role in spreading the dab meme. Short, shareable videos of people dabbing flooded timelines, making it impossible to ignore.
The Dab Meme Goes Global
The dab wasn’t just a fleeting trend in the United States; it quickly became a global phenomenon. From politicians to school kids, everyone seemed to be dabbing.
The Dab in Politics and Public Life
It’s one thing for athletes and musicians to embrace a meme, but when politicians start dabbing, you know it’s reached peak cultural saturation.
- Hillary Clinton and Ellen DeGeneres: During the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and attempted a dab. While it was met with mixed reactions, it signaled just how mainstream the move had become.
- Paul Ryan’s Awkward Dab Moment: In another memorable moment, then-Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was photobombed by a dabbing teenager during a swearing-in ceremony. The incident quickly went viral, cementing the dab’s place in political meme history.
Dab Memes in Schools and Youth Culture
If you’ve ever spent time in a school or around teenagers in the mid-2010s, you’ll know just how pervasive the dab became.
- Classroom Dabbing: Teachers around the world reported students dabbing in class, often at the most unexpected times. Whether it was answering a question correctly or just feeling a burst of energy, dabbing became a go-to move for students.
- Graduation Dabs: High school and college graduation ceremonies became prime spots for dab memes. Graduates would often dab as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, much to the delight (or dismay) of their families.
The Anatomy of a Dab
So, what exactly is the dab? While it might look simple, there’s a certain finesse to nailing the move.
How to Dab Like a Pro
To perform the perfect dab, follow these simple steps:
- Position Your Arms: Raise one arm straight out in front of you at a 45-degree angle.
- Tuck Your Face: Simultaneously, bend your other arm across your face, tucking your head into your elbow.
- Add Some Swagger: The key to a good dab is confidence. Throw it out with a bit of flair and attitude.
Variations of the Dab
As the dab evolved, people began adding their own twists and variations to the move.
- The Double Dab: Why settle for one dab when you can do two in quick succession?
- The Slow-Motion Dab: Slowing down the move adds a dramatic flair, perfect for comedic effect.
- The Group Dab: Coordinated group dabs became popular in team sports and group photos.
The Dab Meme’s Impact on Pop Culture
The dab wasn’t just a dance move—it became a symbol of a particular era in internet culture.
The Dab in Video Games
Video games quickly jumped on the dab bandwagon, incorporating the move into gameplay and character emotes.
- Fortnite: The popular game Fortnite introduced a dab emote, allowing players to celebrate their victories in style.
- FIFA and NBA 2K: Sports games like FIFA and NBA 2K included dabbing as a celebration option, further cementing its place in the digital world.
Memes and Viral Videos
The dab meme spawned countless viral videos and internet jokes.
- “Dabbing Gone Wrong”: As with any trend, there were plenty of fail videos featuring people attempting to dab and hilariously missing the mark.
- Dab Challenges: Online challenges encouraged people to dab in unusual or unexpected places, leading to some truly creative (and bizarre) content.
The Dab Meme’s Rise and Fall
Like all memes, the dab had its time in the spotlight before gradually fading from the forefront of popular culture.
Peak Popularity
The dab reached its peak around 2016, when it was virtually impossible to go online without encountering some form of the meme. From sports arenas to political rallies, the dab was everywhere.
The Backlash Begins
As with many viral trends, overexposure led to backlash. What was once a cool and confident move started to be seen as overdone and cringeworthy.
- “Dab is Dead” Memes: By late 2017, memes declaring “The Dab is Dead” began circulating, signaling the decline of the trend.
- Celebrity Fatigue: When every celebrity and politician starts embracing a meme, it often signals the beginning of the end. The dab was no exception.
The Dab’s Legacy
Even though the dab isn’t as prevalent today, its impact on internet culture remains undeniable.
- Cultural Touchstone: The dab is now a nostalgic symbol of mid-2010s internet culture, often referenced in memes and throwback content.
- Occasional Comebacks: While it’s no longer at the forefront, the dab occasionally resurfaces in pop culture moments, proving that it’s not entirely gone.
Why the Dab Meme Resonated So Deeply
What made the dab meme resonate so deeply with people around the world? Several factors contributed to its widespread appeal.
Simplicity and Accessibility
One of the key reasons the dab took off is its simplicity. Unlike complicated dance moves that require practice, the dab is easy to learn and quick to execute.
- No Skill Required: Anyone, regardless of age or coordination, can dab. This universal accessibility made it appealing to a broad audience.
- Instant Gratification: The dab is a short, snappy move that delivers instant satisfaction, perfect for quick social media videos.
Versatility Across Contexts
The dab’s versatility allowed it to be adapted to a wide range of contexts, from serious celebrations to humorous memes.
- Celebratory Gesture: Athletes used it to celebrate victories, while students dabbed to mark academic achievements.
- Comedic Effect: The dab’s exaggerated motion made it ripe for parody and comedic use.
The Power of Social Media
Social media platforms played a crucial role in the dab’s rise to fame.
- Viral Sharing: The dab’s visual appeal made it perfect for sharing on platforms like Vine, Instagram, and TikTok.
- Meme Culture: As part of meme culture, the dab was easily incorporated into various formats, from image macros to reaction gifs.
Conclusion: The Dab Meme’s Place in Internet History
The dab meme might have started as a simple dance move in the Atlanta hip-hop scene, but it quickly grew into a global phenomenon. Its journey from rap videos to political stages and sports arenas is a testament to the power of internet culture and the ways in which a simple gesture can capture the world’s attention.
While the dab’s heyday may be behind us, its legacy lives on as a symbol of mid-2010s internet culture. Whether you see it as a cringeworthy relic or a nostalgic throwback, there’s no denying the dab’s impact on the meme landscape. So next time you see someone throw a dab, give a little nod to one of the internet’s most iconic moves. Who knows—it might just make a comeback!
