The "Numa Numa Dance" is one of the most iconic and enduring viral videos of the early internet, a perfect example of how a simple, joyful act can capture the imagination of millions and become a cultural phenomenon. This seemingly spontaneous and goofy performance, uploaded in 2004 by a young man named Gary Brolsma, became one of the first true viral videos, spreading across the web like wildfire and solidifying itself as a key moment in the history of internet culture.
The Birth of the Numa Numa Dance
Gary Brolsma was just an ordinary 19-year-old from Saddle Brook, New Jersey, when he created what would become one of the most famous internet videos of all time. On December 6, 2004, Brolsma uploaded a webcam recording of himself lip-syncing and enthusiastically dancing to the song "Dragostea Din Tei" by the Moldovan pop group O-Zone. The song, also known as the "Numa Numa" song because of its catchy chorus, had already gained popularity in Europe, but it was largely unknown in the United States.
In the video, Brolsma is seated at his computer, energetically mouthing the Romanian lyrics and gesturing wildly in time with the music. The performance is delightfully over-the-top, with Brolsma throwing his arms around, bobbing his head, and showing off a range of exaggerated facial expressions. The video, titled "Numa Numa Dance," was originally shared on the website Newgrounds, a popular hub for amateur animations, games, and videos.
The Viral Explosion
To say the "Numa Numa Dance" went viral is an understatement. Within weeks of its upload, the video had been viewed millions of times, quickly spreading far beyond Newgrounds to other sites and forums. At a time when YouTube didn’t even exist (it would launch a few months later, in February 2005), the rapid spread of the "Numa Numa Dance" was a testament to how internet users were beginning to share and enjoy content in new ways.
