The 100 Best Viral Videos of the 2000s
We assembled a comprehensive countdown of the decade's 100 Best Viral Videos, from our favorite mainstream memes to hip-hop blogosphere classics.
Image via Complex Original
This feature was originally published on September 29, 2009
So far, our Best of the 2000s series has produced some heated debates. But more than anything, the Aughts (2000-2009) have been all about watching videos on the internet. Over the last decade, we've witnessed the birth of the viral video through a series of important events: the first cell phone with a camera was introduced in 2001, YouTube was founded in 2005, and Nah Right started embedding videos in 2006. We assembled a comprehensive countdown of the decade's 100 Best Viral Videos, from our favorite mainstream memes to some hilarious hip-hop blogosphere classics, for your viewing pleasure...
RELATED: The 100 Greatest 2000s Films
100. Pruane2Forever vs. 50 Cent
Viral Date: February 2009
This always-opinionated Canadian teen had been critical of 50 Cent in the past, but when he hears that Curtis is releasing a dildo modeled after his own dick, he questions his street cred, unleashes furious anger and proclaims, "You're just a media whore!"
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
50 Cent and Pruane eventually came face to face in a July 2009 video (see it here).
99. Arthur The Weatherman: "Pretty Much Everywhere, It's Gonna Be Hot"
Viral Date: January 2008
It's hot in Haiti. Every. Single. Day. The best 9 seconds you might waste of your life, ever, if you don't count the remixes.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Average temperature in Port-au-Prince ranges between 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) in January to 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) in July.
98. Zack Galifikinakis vs Jon Hamm "Between 2 Ferns"
Viral Date: March 2008
The art of the uncomfortable talk show is taken to disasterously hilarious heights in this clip that pits host Galifianakis against Stuart Turkeylink Don Draper from Mad Men, a show about men in their early 60s, apparently.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
On other "Ferns" episodes, Galifianakis has interviewed Natalie Portman, Michael Cera, Charlize Theron, Bradley Cooper and Jimmy Kimmel.
97. Soulja Girl on the MARTA
Viral Date: May 2008
The upside of the Soulja Boy phenomenon: cool kids showing their dance moves on YouTube. The down side of the Soulja Boy phenomenon? This crazy chick harassing you on the train when you're coming home from work.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The video prompted Atlanta police to arrest Soulja Girl, a.k.a. Nafiza Z, who's behavior has been blamed on a bi-polar disorder.
96. Lee-ROOOOOOY JENKINS!
Viral Date: May 2005
A World of Warcraft guild, in the midst of meticulously planning a raid ("I'm coming up with a 32.33—repeating, of course—percentage of survival"), gets undermined when Leeroy Jenkins goes rogue. His battle cry + his guild's ensuing flustered devastation = Internets gold. Yes, it's staged, and kinda racist, but does it really matter?
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The Jenkins character, created by a drunk guy named Ben Schultz, has become a WoW trading card, a Jeopardy! answer, and a Toyota commercial.
95. Ryan Leslie in 1994 on KXTV
Viral Date: April 2007
Meet Doogie Howser, R&B. If you thought watching a grown-up Ryan Leslie perform was awkward, wait til you see this 1994 local news report about the goofy songwriter singing and rapping at age 15, just before attending Harvard.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Leslie graduated from Harvard at the age of 19.
94. Talking Cat: "Oh Don Piano"
Viral Date: March 2006
Ever get your Mom's 14 year-old senile cat stoned? Ever video tape him freaking out, and then use iMovie to make a bunch of subtitles over the track because it "sounds like he's talking"? Win a fat check from an audience laughter-tracked television show with this very idea!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
ABC, who first premiered this video on its television show America's Funniest Home Videos apparently doesn't speak cat. Don Piano is actually saying, "Kill me, kill me now. Kill me long Don Johnson."
93. The Life of a "First!" Poster
Viral Date: April 2007
Who are these fuckin' idiots who post "First!" in the comment section of every blog post? Casimir Nozkowski set out to answer this age-old question with a hilarious mockumentary that gives some insight into the mind of a first poster.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Nozkowiski later posted a video about the life of a spammer.
92. Prisoners Do "Thriller"
Viral Date: April 2007
Over 1,500 inmtes at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines worked tirelessly to perfect this routine. This is not how we remember Oz at all.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The inmates have performed many other songs, including Flo Rida's "Low" and "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice.
91. Juelz Santana & JR Writer Get Kidnapped In London
Viral Date: December 2008
A rumor that London goons robbed and "kidnapped" Juelz Santana over a concert no-show was quickly (and vehemently) denied by the rapper. We believed him. But then this clip surfaced, in which Juelz and an uncomfortable-looking J.R. Writer are blatantly bullied by some Cockney toughs. Watching the usually swaggeriffic Dipset members being paraded around by nameless English thugs while wearing borrowed chains is a little surreal and a lot funny.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Soon after the video came out, French Montana and Max B. parodied it while goofing off in the studio. Guess Juelz gets the last laugh on that one.
90. Auto-Tune The News #2 (w/ Katie Couric)
Viral Date: April 2009
White people have tried to ironically co-opt the auto-tune phenomenon many times, but this video by The Gregory Brothers is the only time they've actually gotten it right. With a dope track and an especially melodic performance from Katie Couric, this might actually make us watch the non-fake news.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
T-Pain was later featured in Auto-Tune the News #8.
89. T.I. on House Arrest
Viral Date: December 2007
After his dramatic arrest, the King of the South went into hiding as he awaited his fate on house arrest. Rumors swirled about where he would break his silence—in a 60 Minutes interview? A sit-down with Vibe? An exposé with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution? Ah, fuck it. Throw on the bathrobe, set the tripod up on front of the Christmas tree and we're good to go.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The ATF released their own video, showing all the guns Tip got caught with.
88. NFL & NBA Players For Eastern Motors
Viral Date: January 2007
LaVar Arrington, Clinton Portis, Ray Lewis, and Brendan Haywood take off their cool in a series of goofy spots for D.C.-area car dealership Eastern Motors. We feel like we're laughing with these dudes and not at them, but we still have to ask: What kinda rims can acting the fool on camera get you that being a multi-millionaire can't?
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
LaVar Arrington was named after LeVar Burton, after the latter's performance as Kunta Kente in "Roots."
87. Byron Crawford on The Parker Report
Viral Date: February 2007
Bol was the biggest, baddest personality in the hip-hop blogosphere for years, pissing off celebrities and infuriating fans with his button-pushing genius. But after shying away from the public eye for years, he finally appeared in front of a camera for the first time in this shockingly soft-spoken interview. His bite as an internet bully was never quite the same.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Bol irritated Kanye West in 2004 after circulating a petition to get him disqualified from the Grammy's after discovering that "Jesus Walks" was written by Rhymefest.
86. Sue Simmons "The F*ck Are You Doing?"
Viral Date: May 2008
This classic NYC local news blooper begs the question: what was Chuck "The-no-pants-misogynist" Scarbarough doing to ellicit such a response from his co-anchor? Put your hands where our eyes can see.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Simmons later claimed she was just trying to get "Chuck's attention." Hm, okay.
85. Andy Millonakis "The Superbowl Is Gay"
Viral Date: March 2003
Okay, so Andy Millonakis became significantly less funny once we discovered that he is in fact not a teenage boy. But we'll be damned if this video, which blew him up and eventually landed him an MTV show, wasn't shockingly hilarious upon first viewing.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
In 2003, the year Andy recorded this song, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first superbowl. Coincidence?
84. Broken Equipment's "Birdman Talks"
Viral Date: August 2007
In the thick of the Baby & Wayne kissing controversy, this animated gem dove deeper into the father-son relationships with some hilarious impressions and deliberately janky animation from Broken Equipment Productions. "I know you like raisins, playbwoi!"
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
BEPTV expanded this Baby & Wayne breakthrough into a seven-episode series.
83. Baron Davis & Steve Nash Are "Step Brothers"
Viral Date: July 2008
Rival NBA point guards Davis and Nash film a parody trailer of the Will Ferrell-John C. Reilly buddy flick, and manage to be funny without even putting a nutsack on anyone's drumset.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Davis founded the oneupsmanship ibeatyou.com with his high school buddy Cash Warren (a.k.a. Mr. Jessica Alba).
82. Prodigy's Pre-Prison Rant
Viral Date: March 2008
Word to The 25th Hour—one has the license to act a little reckless on the eve of a prison bid. Prodigy was a YouTube animal in the days leading up to his imprisonment, but no clip is as entertaining as this gem-filled tirade on his dissatisfaction with the rap game. Don't believe us? Just check our soundboard, dun.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Of the numerous rappers that P called out, the only one to really respond—surprise, surprise—was Joe Budden.
81. Diet Coke & Mentos Experiment
Viral Date: June 2006
Mentos and Diet Coke. Germans and Americans. Who knew it was such an explosive relationship? This video is about two minutes too long, but wow, what an amazing experiment in chemical awesomeness.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Also known as a Mentos eruption or Coke Geyser, this trick works best with the mint Mentos, as fruit-flavored Mentos have a smooth coating which slows the reaction.
80. Sean Kingston's Chinese Blackberry Bold
Viral Date: October 2008
As much as we hate on him, we can't front on one thing: Sean Kingston gets paper. Unfortunately, all that teenie-bop money can't buy dude any smarts. Fresh off a touring trip, JR Rotem's artist chooses to address the rumors of him being broke and having his diamonds stolen by showing on his new jewels and proclaiming that while in China (where there's no internet, of course), he picked up the all-new, never before seen, Blackberry Bold! Too bad it was already out on AT&T.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
They do, in fact, have the internet in China.
79. Pinky The Cat Goes Nuts
Viral Date: November 2005
What starts as a PSA for animal adoption turns into a hilarious cautionary tale...about why Pinky is the most bad ass cat of all time. Fight the power!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Before becoming a viral hit, the Pinky video aired on '90s home movie shows like TV's Funniest Commercials and The World's Most Dangerous Animals III.
78. Diesel's SFW XXX Party
Viral Date: September 2008
The art of humorous "SFW" porno photoshops has been an internet favorite for years, but the denim masters really went extra hard with this video version that served as an invitation to their 30th birthday party. (click on the image above to view the video)
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The clip was created by Keith Schofield, the director behind music videos for Supergrass and MIMS.
77. Deconstructing Biggie: UPS is Hiring (It's The Real)
Viral Date: August 2007
Jeff and Eric Rosenthal have become mainstays on the internet hip-hop scene, but this was the video that started it all. Before landing all-star guest appearances from your favorite rappers, the brothers cleverly flipped a classic Biggie line using only some fake deliveryman uniforms and their friends in the suburbs.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
This is one of the few Real videos not to feature Jeff and Eric in leading roles.
76. Grape Lady
Viral Date: November 2005
During a grape-stomping competition in the late '90s, reporter Melissa Sanders decided to cheat at the last minute and got an epic dosage of karma moments later. In other words, she busted her shit. After someone uploaded her fall to the Internet in 2005 it became an instant hit, spawning dozens of parodies and music remixes.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Chateau Elan Winery had a message on their website that let visitors know Grape Lady was fine.
75. Kanye's Backstage VMA Meltdown
Viral Date: September 2007
Before he blew up Taylor Swift's spot, Yeezy let his feelings on MTV's white pop-obsession be known in this backstage rant that was secretely taped and leaked to the 'net. Give a black man a chance!!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Despite claiming he would "never return to MTV," 'Ye closed the next year's show with his debut performance of "Love Lockdown."
74. World of Warcraft Cancellation Freakout
Viral Date: May 2009
Kid's mom cancels his World of Warcraft subscription. Kid's brother hides camera in kid's room. Kid freaks out in a fashion we've never seen, including beating his chest like King Kong, screaming like a banshee, and trying to stick a remote control up his ass. Staged? Yes. Classic? Most definitely.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The magic man is high school student Steven Quire of Indianapolis, who makes the Greatest Freakout Ever video series with his brother Jack.
73. Trapped In An Elevator For 41 Hours
Viral Date: April 2008
Make ya say, "Oh wow." This lil video is far from funny, but when the New Yorker ran this piece on the tragic story of Nicholas White getting stuck in an express elevator at the McGraw Hill building in New York over a weekend, this online video caught iWildfire.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
It's disturbing, and it's real. This guy lost his job, life, and mind. Longest smoke break ever.
72. Internets Celebrities "Ghetto Big Mac"
Viral Date: July 2006
Two of hip-hop's best known bloggers—Dallas Penn from DallasPenn.com and Rafi Kam from OhWord.com—joined forces for the first time to create this guide to creating a Big Mac on the cheap. Internets!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Rafi detailed the storied history of the Ghetto Big Mac in this blog post.
71. Samurai Sword Screwup on QVC
Viral Date: December 2006
A QVC salesman injures himself trying to pitch samurai swords on the shopping channel. Thankfully for said salesman, he was impaled by "just the tip."
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
According to the Bushido, samurai swords are not to be sold between the hours of 4 and 6 am, the traditional samurai time of rest.
70. Ras Kass Recaps His Fight With The Game
Viral Date: September 2006
After the Game blacked his eye for mentioning his son in a diss rap, Ras Kass made a response video to show that he still has his chain and to menace his attacker. But instead of coming across as tough, his crew seems rather fructose, speaking in high voices and fondling a handful of bullets like they're balls. Game later denied it was 30 versus two, calmly explaining that it was just one guy throwing one punch at one other dude and knocking him the fuck out .
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Jay 211, a.k.a. the white dude in the background, was later hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself in the head.
69. Afro Ninja
Viral Date: August 2004
Stuntman Mark Pitts makes an interview tape for a Nike LeBron James commercial, but instead of going from a backflip into a nunchuk routine, he just backflips directly onto his face. To his credit, he still tries the nunchuck routine, but anything at that point is just gonna be a big bowl of fail. Floor 1, Afro Ninja 0
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Pitts claims that he had just come back from Hong Kong, and was still jet-lagged when he filmed the tape. Doesn't make it less funny, brother! The thing is, he still got the job.
68. K-Fed Debuts "Popo Zao"
Viral Date: January 2006
Britney's baby daddy's rap career was already D.O.A., but his in-studio preview of the first single was a huge shovel of dirt on the coffin. Watching K-Fed enthusiastically lip-sync, hand-clap, and gyrate to his amazingly asinine "Brazilian ass shaker" almost makes his existence worthwhile. Almost.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
"Popo Zao" didn't' even make the final cut of K-Fed's 2006 debut album, which made it to #151 on the Billboard 200 chart.
67. The Back Dorm Boys
Viral Date: April 2005
Two Chinese dudes wearing matching Yao Ming jerseys lip-sync to the Backstreet Boys in a bedroom—nope, not Lou Pearlman's last dream but the strangely mesmerizing content of this hugely popular clip. Props to the oblivious dude in the background getting his World of Warcraft on while his homies fake-croon.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Since the video, these dudes signed a five-year contract with a talent agency in Beijing, another contract with Sina (a Chinese internet portal), and become hosts of an online lip-sync contest by Motorola.
66. Tom Cruise Jumps On Oprah's Couch
Viral Date: May 2005
There have long been rumors that Tom Cruise is gay, so to prove that he was heterosexual and really in love with his then-new girlfriend Katie Holmes, he flipped out on The Oprah Winfrey Show, melodramatically dropping to one knee, pumping his fist, and jumping all over O's couch to show how happy she'd made him. Because all straight guys do that kinda shit.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Cruise and Holmes are now married with a daughter, so if he is gay, damn, dude really knows how to stay in character.
65. Fat Kid on a Rollercoaster
Viral Date: September 2006
While this may look like a "Funniest Home Video" that's been taped and placed on the Internet, in reality it is actually an allegory for life created by a skilled video recording artist. The fat kid represents our entry to the work force. It starts out terrifying, and by the time you're halfway through "the ride," everything starts to hurt and what was once simply uncomfortable is starting to kill you. Janice represents society, laughing at your misfortune all the way to the end. Too dark? OK, just laugh then.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Approximately four people die in the United States each year from roller coaster accidents. Hahahaa? Maybe not so much.
64. Alexyss Tylor: Vagina Power & Penis Power
Viral Date: April 2007
Alexyss Tylor's Atlanta Public Access show was already naughty enough to turn heads, but the fact that she invited her own mother on set to discuss sexual issues put this over the top. Dick will make you slap somebody!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Alexsyss is currently planning the release of her first book "Vagina Power."
63. Ill Doctrine "If Bill O'Reilly Was A Rapper"
Viral Date: September 2007
One of the most consistently clever and intelligent video bloggers in the biz, Jay Smooth really delivered on this early send-up of Bill O'Reilly, recorded in the wake of the Fox host's tirade against Nas.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Jay Smooth is also the founder and host of NYC's longest running hip-hop radio show, WBAI's Underground Railroad.
62. Christian The Lion
Viral Date: September 2006
In the shocking world of viral video, it's nice to see something heartwarming make the rounds. Even the most cynical nerd had a soft spot for this '70s documentary clip, which shows a lion remembering and hugging his former owners after being returned to the wild.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
As a cub, Christian was originally purchased in London at Harrod's Department store in 1969.
61. Funk Flex Disses R. Kelly
Viral Date: September 2008
Three months after being acquitted, R. Kelly gave a controversial tell-all interview. When asked if he liked teenage girls, he responded, "How old are we talking?" The comment obviously set off Funkmaster Flex, who ripped on Kells for his questionable taste in women and most notably, his "funny looking Members Only jacket."
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Faizon Love (Big Worm in Friday) fired back at Flex shortly after with a video defending R. Kelly.
60. David After Dentist
Viral Date: January 2009
Depending on who you ask, this homemade clip of a loopy 7-year-old moments after a trip to the dentist is either hilarious or exploitative and evidence of bad parenting. All we know is that it made us want to take a huge fucking hit of nitrous.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Garnering nearly 30 million views in less than a year, the adorable lil' fella has since gone on to star in YouTube clips like "David calls out Christian Bale" and "David tells a Pirate Joke"-but obviously, none compare with the O.G.
59. Kanye Vs. Paparazzi At LAX
Viral Date: September 2008
Kanye is pretty vocal about his contempt for the paparazzi, but things turned physical when a L.A. photog pissed him off more than usual. Yeezy (and Don C) can be seen smashing camera equipment, a move that racked up misdemeanor battery, grand theft and vandalism charges for the rapper. Obviously dude didn't care because he got arrested again for a paparazzi scuffle in England two months later. He's rich, bitch!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Despite the video footage, 'Ye pled not guilty.
58. Kid Freaks Out About Nintendo 64 Present
Viral Date: March 2006
A 10-year-old goes apeshit on Christmas morning when he unwraps his gift from Santa: a Nintendo 64. Sadly, the kid was last seen in the parking lot of the East Toledo Best Buy, selling dollar handjobs to buy a DSI.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The N64 has sold nearly 33 million units worldwide.
57. Human Giant's "Shutterbugs"
Viral Date: June 2005
The internet clip that helped launch the career of Human Giant (and therefore Aziz "Randy" Ansari), "Shutterbugs" features Ansari and HG colleague Rob Heubel as child actor agents. The inspiration for the "cussing at toddlers" comedy phase of the mid-'00s that was so popular with Parenting magazine.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Child actor Drew Barrymore was introduced to alcohol at the age of 11 (although not by her agent).
56. Reporter Swallows A Fly
Viral Date: June 2008
It's hard to keep your composure when you're wearing a hot-ass suit in the middle of a country-ass town, so we understand why this reporter lost his shit after a fly flew in his mouth.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The practice is eating insects is called entomophagy.
55. Dipset vs. Junior Mafia At The Rucker
Viral Date: December 2000
For years, grainy footage of this 1998 fight between the two crews circulated on the 'net and got fans talking. But it wasn't until Lil' Cease broke it down in slow mo on the Cocaine City 4 DVD that the truth started to come into focus.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Footage from the fight was originally taken from TNT's 2000 documentary On Hallowed Ground: Streetball Champions of Rucker Park.
54. Numa Numa
Viral Date: December 2004
New Jersey teenager Gary Brolsma lip-synched to ultra-cheesy euro-pop song "Dragostea din tei" by O-Zone and became one of the most famous people on the internet. Can it be that it was all so simple then?
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The viral smash inspired Just Blaze to sample the song for T.I. & Rihanna's 2008 hit "Live Your Life."
53. It's So Cold In The D
Viral Date: January 2008
Thirty-one-year-old Detroit rapper LaTonya "T-Baby" Myles made this amateurish song and video to pay tribute to her deceased brother and infant son, but with an off-key singing voice that sounds like an eagle being sodomized with a hot poker and rap skills that make both Eli Porter and Shaq cringe, she probably should have just left flowers on their graves and ended the cycle of pain.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
T-Baby's brother, Mason, was murdered in a Coney Island restaurant in 2006 (hence the opening shot of a man laying on the floor of a diner).
52. The Paris Hilton Sex Tape
Viral Date: November 2003
Paris Hilton has made a few movies, but the only one any of us gives a shit about is 1 Night in Paris, the trail-blazing leaked sex tape she made with her then boyfriend Rick Solomon when she was 19 and he was 30. The most iconic scene was shot in night vision because, well, the freaks come out at night. (click on the image above for a semi-SFW preview)
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
When Hilton expressed disapproval of the film's release and claimed she was "out of it" during the filming, suggesting Solomon took advantage of her, he sued her for defamation. She countersued over the release of the movie. They settled out of court in July 2005 with Hilton reportedly getting $400,000. Now THAT is a money shot!
51. The Kim Kardashian Sex Tape
Viral Date: February 2007
This is the defining moment of Kim Kardashian's career (besides being our cover girl) that introduced her to most of the world. And boy was it an introduction. Paris and Pam might have paved the way, but this is the greatest celebrity sex tape of all time. At the end of the day, when Kim walks the red carpet at an A-list event or presents at an awards show, we can relish in the fact that we've seen her getting busy. What's better than that? Not much.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Kim K initially sued Vivid Entertainment over the tape, but wound up dropping the suit and settling for $5 million. Hun is a bonafide hustler.
50. Chocolate Rain
Viral Date: April 2007
University of Minnesota Grad Student Tay Zonday's 2007 music video went internet diamond, thanks to his unusually deep voice that sparked rumors that he was actually James Earl Jones' son.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Zonday, whose government name is Adam Nyerere Bahner, claims "Chocolate Rain" is about racism.
49. Kanye Is "Martin Louis The King Jr."
Viral Date: January 2009
After the debut of his Louis Vuitton kicks in Paris, ’Ye boasted by channelling Morris Day and declaring his new name in his first (and only) video blog. Where are you Yeezy?
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Kanye references the nickname in his verse on Rick Ross's "Maybach Music 2."
48. Stephon Marbury's Webcam Freakout
Virala Date: July 2009
Ever wonder what Stephon Marbury does when he's not helping a team to not win a championship? Starbury figured, so he broadcast his life 24/7 on Justin.tv. If you guessed he'd wear a facial mask, stripper-dance to Michael Jackson, and eat Vaseline, you were right!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Marbury has since announced his retirement via Twitter. In related news, a total of zero teams tried to sign the free agent after he appeared high and/or crazy on his webcast.
47. Will Farrell "The Landlord"
Viral Date: April 2007
Will Ferrell is confronted by his landlord Pearl, a two-year-old alcoholic in a dress, in this video that put his comedy website Funny Or Die on the map. Ferrell was reported to have made his rent that month, but after Land of the Lost flopped, he fell behind again, and was eventually evicted.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Pearl was played by Ferrell's writing partner Adam McKay's daughter, who also happens to be named Pearl.
46. Star Wars Kid
Viral Date: November 2002
Don't lie, you did this in Com Tech class once, and it's funny because you can relate. Poor guy taped over the school basketball game, only to launch himself into Internet stardom.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Star Wars kid broke 900 million views in November 2006, and has been remixed by the greats from Stephen Colbert to Tony Hawk's video game to the man George Lucas himself.
45. 50 Cent Introduces "Pimpin' Curly"
Viral Date: February 2009
After Rick Ross, Pimpin' Ken and Foxy Brown all dissed him for taking Ross's baby mama shopping, Curtis responded by donning a luxurious jheri curl wig and unleashing his hilarious "Pimpin' Curly" character on the world. You don't know a pimp when you see a motherfuckin' pimp?
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Officer Rawse claims they call 50 "Curly" down south because "he's not straight." Clever!
44. Boom Goes The Dynamite
Viral Date: December 2005
A young Indiana sportscaster sees his broadcast go off the rails pretty much from jump, but manages to recover sufficiently to coin a catchphrase worthy of ESPN.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Dynamite was invented by the Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel who, in an ironic twist, would use the fortune he amassed by patenting the explosive to form the Nobel Institute, famous for its Peace Prize.
43. Bow Wow's Touré Interview Meltdown
Viral Date: December 2007
Bow Wow unleashes his inner T.I. on Touré after the writer openly mocks the rapper and his homie Omarion in an interview. But notice that even with all that bluster, Bow summons his ginormous bodyguards to do the dirty work. Damn, Bow Wow—even we think you could knock out Touré.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Bow Wow and O nearly reunited in 2009 when they were both signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money label, but O was dropped (or left, depending on who you believe) less than a week later.
42. "Don't Tase Me, Bro!"
Viral Date: September 2007
When John Kerry spoke at the University of Florida, student Andrew Meyer thought he'd ask a question during the Q & A portion of the speech. When his rambling question was cut off, he registered his displeasure-loudly—until university police let loose with some high-voltage justice, prompting his classic pre-scream quotable.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
What really got Meyer's mic cut off, apparently, was his use of the word "blowjob."
41. Kobe Bryant Jumps Over A Speeding Car
Viral Date: April 2008
Yeah, it's fake. And yeah, it's obviously a Nike Hyperdunk campaign designed to go viral, but that doesn't diminish the fact that watching Kobe jump over an Aston Martin is awesome.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
This is definitely the only Nike commercial Ronny Turiaf will ever appear in.
40. Cops Eat Stolen Pot Brownies & Call 911
Viral Date: May 2007
Time is going by really really really really really slow, and this insensitive reporter thinks it's funny. She should be ashamed. Eating weed makes you feel like you're going to die, and if you've never done it, DON'T.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The recommended method of eating marijuana is to saute it in butter or margarine over medium heat, then to strain the remaining solids out and use the butter to cook with. One can use this marijuana butter to make brownies, cook vegetables, or however else one might use butter to cook with. It can even be spread it on a slice of bread.
39. Zombie Kid: "I Like Turtles"
Viral Date: June 2007
Ten-year-old Jonathon Ware of Milwaukie, Oregon had just gotten his face painted like a Zombie when a reporter hit him with the tough question: "What do you think?" Jonathan's classic non-sequitor response has garnered over 15 million views.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The Ware family owned three dogs, four cats, two birds, two hermit crabs, a lizard and a gecko, but, shockingly, NO TURTLES.
38. Charles Hamilton Gets Punched By A Girl
Viral Date: May 2009
Charles Hamilton has undeniable talent-he's also got undeniably poor judgment in his choice of career moves, including battling his girl on camera (seriously, who battles their chick?), and getting her so riled up she clocks him in the jaw. Charles was applauded for his restraint in not hitting his boo back, but we just think dude had a rare flash of common sense—Briana woulda beat the shit outta him and his Pink Panther doll.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Charles' girl (Briana Latrise) is Mary J. Blige's step-daughter.
37. Swagga Like Puff
Viral Date: September 2008
Who needs shiny suits and Hype Williams when you've got a bowl of Froot Loops and a webcam? This D.I.Y. video shows Puff spazzing at his spontaneous Diddy Blog best.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Puff shot a second version of the video in a jeep.
36. Flea Market Montgomery Commercial
Viral Date: November 2006
Sammy Stevens, the owner of this deluxe Alabama furniture store, rose to fame with this irresistible rap commercial that embeded the store's motto into America's conciousness: "It's just like a mini-mall!" Hey, hey!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Before getting into the furniture game, Stephens was a local radio jock and songwriter known as "The Candyman."
35. Memphis Bleek's Shampoo Commercial
Viral Date: August 2008
We were under the assumption that as long as Jay-Z was alive Bleek would be a millionaire. So we were a little confused when we saw Memphis pop up (at 2:59)in this random Garnier Fructis shampoo ad. We're all for getting that commercial paper, but Bleek, come on: You're rich, take the du rag off!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Bleek also shot a commercial for Maya Rims in 2007...it was significantly lower budget.
34. Soulja Boy Reviews "Braid" Video Game
Viral Date: September 2008
Eurogamer called it "beautiful, entertaining, and inspiring." GameSpot praised its "moving story, serene visuals, and brilliant puzzles." IGN described it as "imaginative, innovative, and engrossing." And Soulja Boy? "They got this game, right? This for people who drink or people who smoke—or if you just be getting fucked up. It ain't got no point to it, you just walk around jumping on shit." Damn, why can't we see that one on Metacritic?
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Braid was the second highest-selling game on Xbox Live Arcade in 2008.
33. Look At That Horse
Viral Date: July 2006
Okay, our producer just told us that this guy is a fuckin' idiot. Actually, he may in fact be so coked out of his gourd that he really can't tell the difference. What do you want, a zoologist?
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
A month after the video went viral, host Elliot Smith mentioned "the really stupid things [I've] been saying on air" in another bizarre on-air moment.
32. Mr. Chi-City's Refrigerator
Viral Date: August 2008
Impressing a girl with an expensive gift? Taking her out to a fancy restaurant? Fuck that shit. The key to getting panties to drop is keeping your fridge fully-stocked with strategically-chosen beverages, as video blogger Mr. Chi-City shows us in this genius tutorial. Hit ’em with the Mystic!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
In an interview with Metallungies, Mr. Chi calculates that between all the beverages and snacks on snacks, he probably spent about $280.
31. Scarlet Takes A Tumble
Viral Date: October 2008
A big girl standing on a small-ass coffee table while singing her heart out...you already know where this is headed. But still, the anticipation is unparallelled, and the payoff always delivers.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Scarlet, a high school student in Birmingham, Alabama, was cutting school on the day the video was filmed.
30. Tracy Morgan Drunk on Chicago Morning News
Viral Date: August 2007
Tracy Morgan is no stranger to over-the-top antics, but this appearance on a Chicago morning news program might go down as his crowning achievement. Shirtless, blinged out, and ripe with inappropriate comments, Tracy might have scared some conservative white folks, but he had us dying. Blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
30 Rock producers re-used the clip in an episode two years later, passing Morgan off as Tracy Jordan, his character on the show.
29. Lazy Sunday
Viral Date: December 2005
Andy Samberg and the Lonely Island crew first made their mark on the SNL scene with this video that fused hardcore hip-hop with the minutia of a lazy stoner weekend in New York City. Possibly the first time TV was designed to go viral, and it worked, setting the mold for a series of successful Digital Shorts.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Prior to joining the SNL crew, Lonely Island produced similar hip-hop comedy shorts like the hilarious 2001 video "Stork Patrol."
28. Dame Dash's Def Jam Freakout
Viral Date: April 2009
You really want to know how Hova raped Def Jam 'til he was the $100 million man? Two words: Dame Dash. For calling meetings regarding Roc-A-Fella's golden boy with his consent, Dame blacks out on the whole staff before telling Randy Arckerman that he "don't know shit about my culture!" Not for nothin', Dame should have known his days were numbered.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Dame is also known for yelling at then-Def Jam president Kevin Liles in a scene from the 2000 documentary Backstage.
27. Lil Wayne Does The Wam
Viral Date: April 2008
Weezy started doing this dance, his answer to the Crank Dat, on tour in late summer '07, but this is the video that captures it at his peak. Almost never before has a grown man pelvic-thrusting into the faces of his audience been so entertaining. THIS is why we don't get front-row seats anymore.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The massive dude in the military shirt who intervenes at :30 is Wayne's bodyguard Big John--the same dude who knocks on the door to his tour bus in the video for "A Milli."
26. Denny Blaze, The Average Homeboy
Viral Date: April 2006
Denny Hazen-a self-proclaimed "average, middle class guy"-recorded his revolutionary rap video in the late '80s with the hopes of getting signed. Needless to say, this one sat in the vaults until an MTV employee stumbled on it and uploaded it to Youtube 17 years later.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
After his belated internet fame, Denny released two albums on his independent label Blazin' Productions.
25. Kanye West: "George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People"
Viral Date: September 2005
One of the greatest moments in live TV history happened during a star-studded Hurricane Katrina telethon, when Yeezy went off script and spoke from the heart about our then-President. The rant was cut from the West Coast airing, but thanks to the internets, it became a worldwide sensation.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The clip inspired the Legendary K.O.'s internet hit "George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People."
24. Bubb Rubb Talks Whistle Tips
Viral Date: September 2003
When a Bay Area news station ventured into Oakland to investigate the "whistle tip" car mod craze, they didn't count on the glory of Bubb Rubb and his Snoop-from-The-Wire-lookin'-ass sister. Real talk, from the blunted hyphy drawl to the blow-through-the-stop-sign demo, this may be the greatest "man on the street" interview ever committed to film: "It's like an alawrm clock-WHOO WHOOOOOOO!"
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Bubb Rubb tried to capitalize on his notoriety with a DVD—and if the trailer is any indication, it's comedy gold as well: "The last psycho bitch I had, she tried to stab my phone up!"
23. Chopper Suit
Viral Date: March 2009
Making Da Band has-been Chopper City became an unlikely Internet hero in this clip, but it's not his shit-talking rhetoric that makes it so memorable. Nope, it's Chopper's ridiculously oversized suit that worked the WSHH commentators into a frenzy, e.g. "Ole Heavy D & The Boys 'Now That We Found Love' Suit Wearing Ass Nigga, "Patrick ewing in the 85 draft suit wearing nigga," "U steve harvey before he got money suit wearing nigga"...and many, many more. (click here for the original post)
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em: After endless clowning, Chopper went on to release the Chopper Suit Season mixtape.
22. The Oozinator Commercial
Viral Date: April 2006
Somebody at Hasbro decided it was a great idea to make a Super Soaker with phallic pump action that shoots goo, then okayed a commercial in which young boys get blasted with the spunk. You need to pause this one before you even press play.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Notice how when the young boys get sprayed with goo you never see where it's coming from? It could be anything! One dick, two dicks, three dicks-or even an Oozinator!
21. Leprechaun In Mobile, Alabama
Viral Date: March 2006
Not exactly groundbreaking "journalism," but this WPMI report might be the greatest moment in local news history. It's hard to forget the amatuer sketch that looks like it was drawn by a third grader, or the guy with the bulletproof vest and special leprechaun flute that was passed down for generations. WHO ELSE SEEN THE LEPRECHAUN SAY YEAH!!!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
After the story went viral, Bill O'Reilly played it on his show and proclaimed that it was playing into racial stereotypes. You hear that, people—Bill O'Reilly will NOT stand for racism!
20. Cam'ron On Vacation: "It's Gonna Be A Hot Summer"
Viral Date: May 2007
A lot of guys talk tough on YouTube but Killa Cam took it to the next level with this clip that surfaced in the midst of his beef with 50 Cent. Fresh off probation, a boxer-clad Cam promised us that it would be "a hot summer" only to mysteriously disappear from the public eye for years. At least we got to see his pool in the back!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Cam'ron emerged two years later and revealed that he was taking care of his sick mother during his absence.
19. Miss South Carolina Speaks
Viral Date: August 2007
We hate to generalize, but this video does nothing to dispel the "blondes are dumb" stereotype. When asked why 1/5th of Americans can't locate the US on a world map during the 2007 Miss Teen USA competition, Miss South Carolina proves that she probably can't either.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Ironically, Caitlin Upton was an honors student at Lexington High School in SC.
18. Tom Cruise's Scientology Video
Viral Date: January 2008
For all the crackpot stories about Scientology, a look inside the "religion" is exceedingly rare, so when this in-house promotional video from the Church of Battlefield Earth surfaced it was an instant sensation. Nine minutes of Tom Cruise at his glassy-eyed, pedantic best, spitting hot L. Ron Hubbard slanguistics like it's going out of style. Got thetans?
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The day after the video leaked, MTV published a helpful glossary to help the rest of us "wogs" figure out what the fuck that freakshow was talking about.
17. DJ Khaled Plays His New Single For Kanye
Viral Date: May 2008
The moments after his jaw-breaking car crash? His emotional interview with Jay Leno? Nope, the longest five minutes of Kanye's life are captured on this clip, where he and Consequence are forced to endure a cringe-inducing pantomime of DJ Khaled's "Out Here Grindin'" by the heavyset DJ. We depressed!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
A couple of months after this video, "Out Here Grindin'" peaked at #38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
16. 50 Cent Takes Rick Ross's Baby Mama Shopping
Viral Date: February 2009
At his core, 50 is a showman. So when his beef with Officer Ricky jumped off in early 2009, you already knew he had some tricks up his sleeve. But in a devastatingly diabolical move that no one saw coming, Curtis introduced the world to Tia, Ricky's scored baby's mother. After handling business, he takes Tia and a friend shopping at the Gucci store while "Isn't She Lovely?" plays. PWND. This is beef 2.0, Ross is still in beta.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
50 Cent and Tia later posed on the cover of Smooth Magazine together.
15. Shaq: "Kobe, Tell Me How My Ass Taste"
Viral Date: June 2008
Despite rap skills that'd make Eli Porter cringe, the Diesel fumes are strong on Shaq's cheeky freestyle aimed at his former teammate turned nemesis, Kobe Bryant. The highlight: Shaq asks Kobe to describe the flavor of his asshole. Shit, that'd leave a bitter taste in anyone's mouth.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Shaq shit on Kobe at an NYC birthday party for rapper Cory Gunz, son of rapper Peter Gunz, who's recorded numerous songs with the basketball player. Ironically, some would say their collabos sound like ass.
14. Super Craka Goes In On Plies
Viral Date: September 2008
Super Craka, a gutter Floridian white dude with a mouth full of gold, calls Plies out for rapping about his brother's life and getting shown up by LIl' Boosie at a concert. Plus, he be doin' it wit' style, wodie! That bullshit you rap about...*pirouettes*...garbage!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The incident Craka refers to apparently happened way back in 2005, but honestly we'd be amused listening to him talk about anything. Super Craka audio books!
13. Reh Dogg "Why Must I Cry"
Viral Date: October 2006
While sing-rapping a story in the key of cover your ears, Reh Dogg, who may be deaf and/or slow, is inexplicably shown lathering himself in the shower, taking batting practice, and doing one of the slowest, get-yourself-shot combat roll gun loadings we've ever seen. After watching this strange vid, we too are left to ask, whyyyyy?
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
As if he wasn't weird enough in real life, Reh Dogg is now animated on his website.
12. "Oh, You Mad Cause I'm Stylin' On You?"
Viral Date: December 2006
Underground rapper Nyckz gets snuffed by his battle opponent E-N-J after uttering the now-famous taunt: “Oh, you mad ’cause I’m stylin’ on you?” This was the moment when the hip-hop blogosphere finally grasped the full power of the meme, briefly transforming this obscure a Real Talk TV DVD clip into an internet sensation. Plus...the cal is on you!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
In September 2007, Papoose released a song called "Stylin' On You" that used the famous line in the hook. Nyckz wants his publishing!
11. Peanut Butter Jelly Time
Viral Date: March 2002
Sometimes, less is more. This iconic internet meme started in the ’90s as a dancing banana emoticon, but something truly magical happened when Offtopic.com users Ryan Gancenia Etrata and Kevin Flynn combined the classic animation with DJ Chipman & the Buckwheat Boyz's 2001 hit "Peanut Butter Jelly Time." If the internet ever needs a national anthem, this is it.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Brian performed the song and dance on an episode of "Family Guy" in 2005.
10. Dick In A Box
Viral Date: December 2006
Justin Timberlake had already proven himself to be one of the best SNL guest hosts in recent memory, but when he teamed up with Andy Samberg for a pitch-perfect lampoon of early '90s R&B, it was a wrap. From the Color Me Badd styling to the R. Kelly interpolation, they definitely made people new jack swing on their nuts.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The various situations in which the song suggests giving your girl a dick in a box: Christmas; Hanukkah; Kwanzaa; every single holiday; over at her parents' house; mid-day at the grocery store; and, of course, backstage at the CMAs.
9. Australian Party Kid Corey Worthington
Viral Date: January 2008
There is a simple lesson to be learned here for reporters around the globe: Ask a bunch of retarded questions, and you're going to get a lot of the same right back at 'ya. Take my glasses off? How about you piss off.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
$20,000 AUD is worth about $17,319 US not as good of a conversion rate as you might think, and a bummer in any language/accent.
8. I'm The Juggernaut, Bitch!
Viral Date: May 2003
My Way Entertainment overdubs (and probably ad-libs) a whopping 9-minutes from an episode of the animated X-Men series, spawning the hilarious catchphrase "Don't you know who the fuck I am? I'm the Juggernaut, bitch!" By 2006, the meme had become so big that the phrase (minus the f-bomb) was written into X-Men: The Last Stand. Sadly, this was the best part of the movie.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Killer Mike released a song inspired by the video called "The Juggernaunt" on his 2006 album I Pledge Allegience To The Grind.
7. Bill O'Reilly's Inside Edition Freakout
Viral Date: May 2008
Having a bad day? Keep Bill O'Reilly on your toolbar and you're good to go. It has everything one could ask for in an Internet video: cursing, a person we dislike's humiliation, plenty of material to cut into remixes, and a pan-out tantrum to seal the deal. Fuckin' Thing SUCKS!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
This video surfaced in 2008, but O'Reilly hosted Inside Edition from 1989 through 1995.
6. Bert & Ernie "Ante Up"
Viral Date: June 2008
Take video of beloved felt puppets from a classic kids TV show and mash it up with audio of one of rap's most hardcore groups ever rapping about robbing fools for their jewels and you've got hilarity! See, 'cause one is so gangster and one is so not! There's nothing fuzzy about it!
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The Sesame Workshop denies that Bert and Ernie are gay, but they're two grown puppet men who share an apartment (and bedroom!). You don't need Count von Count to do the math on that.
5. Spike Lee Gets Paused By Gus Johnson
Viral Date: June 2007
It's been called the most professional use of the word "pause" ever, and we concur: When Lee tells Gus Johnson in a televised interview that he "likes Dick"—a.k.a. new New York Knicks acquisition Dan Dickau—the sportscaster just can't let him slide without a sly interjection. It's just one of the many reasons Gus is our favorite sports dude on TV.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Isiah Thomas apparently wasn't too fond of "Dick." Dickau was cut before ever suiting up for the Knicks and eventually signed with the L.A. Clippers.
4. Little Superstar
Viral Date: October 2006
Everyone's first thought watching this clip from the 1990 Tamil movie Adhisaya Piravi is "Holy shit, this kid can dance like a motherfucker!" Everyone's second thought is "Wait, is this gonna give me nightmares?" Of course, he's not a kid at all, but a dwarf actor who a) can dance his ass off and b) looks like he might just launch himself at you and tear you limb from limb with his giant teeth. Never before have hilarious and vaguely unsettling worked together so well.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
The lil' homie dancing in the clip also choreographed this bhangra-hot Tandoori Sizzler Doritos commercial.
3. Eli Porter's Iron Mic Battle
Viral Date: May 2008
Where to start? The Iron Mic battle comp from Chamblee High School has everything: a Lou Pearlman-style host, vote rigging, and best of all, the triumph of substance over style. (Seriously Envy, the "walking cripple" Eli bodied you son! Rosie called, she says thanks for the mixing bowl.)
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Chamblee High School has 1600 students and is located in suburban Atlanta.
2. Cam'ron & Dame Dash on Bill O'Reilly
Viral Date: November 2003
You can't defeat arrogant blowhards with reason, defensiveness, or aggression; to really get their goat, the best tactic is blatant mockery. Like two unruly kids mouthing off to a substitute teacher, Cam and Dame ether the anti-rap arguments of Bill O'Reilly (and an actual school principal) with instant classic quotables: "You maaaaad!" and "I got dirt on you doggy!" Best.O'Reilly Factor.Ever.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Thankfully, this was not Cam's last appearance on a nationally-televised news program: In April 2007, Cam told Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes that he wouldn't even snitch if he lived next door to a serial killer. Killa!
1. Latarian Milton's Joyride
Viral Date: April 2008
Damn, son. Why didn't we have friends like this when we were growing up? Seven year-old Latarian Milton is the poster child for badass kids everywhere and we love him for it. The little homie whipped his grandmother's SUV through Florida streets for miles, crashing into shit and smoking cigs the whole way only to tell reporters that he "wanted to do hoodrat stuff with [his] friend." Some rappers don't even have that much heart. Golly he's gully.
YOU AUGHTA KNOW:
Mere months after this incident, LT was back in the news when physically attacked his grandmother in Wal-Mart for not buying him fried chicken.