Back in 2020, a video of Jack Black playing a bizarre instrument called the Saxaboom went viral on social media. The video, which showed the actor and comedian dressed in a neon green jumpsuit and playing the saxophone-like contraption, quickly became a meme sensation. But what exactly was the Saxaboom, and why did it capture the internet’s attention?
Table of Contents
What Is the Saxaboom?
The Saxaboom is a musical instrument created by Jack Black and his friend, YouTuber and musician, Andrew Huang. It’s essentially a saxophone-shaped pipe with a built-in synthesizer that allows the player to add various sound effects and textures to their playing. The instrument is a nod to the classic Keytar, a keyboard-shaped guitar that was popular in the 80s.
Black and Huang debuted the Saxaboom in a video on Huang’s YouTube channel, in which they played an original song titled “Saxaboom.” The video quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and inspiring countless memes and parodies.
The Saxaboom Meme Phenomenon
The Saxaboom meme took on a life of its own, with people all over the internet creating their own versions of the video. Some added their own sound effects or music to the clip, while others used it as a template for their own comedic skits and parodies.
One of the most popular iterations of the meme was the “Saxaboom Challenge,” in which people attempted to play the Saxaboom themselves and share their results on social media. The challenge quickly gained traction, with celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Lin-Manuel Miranda even getting in on the fun.
The Downfall of the Saxaboom Meme
As with any viral meme, the Saxaboom eventually lost steam and faded from the public consciousness. However, some argue that the meme’s decline was hastened by a controversy surrounding the Saxaboom’s origins.
In 2021, Andrew Huang revealed that he had actually created the Saxaboom years before he and Jack Black made their viral video. Huang claimed that Black had only helped to popularize the instrument, but had not played a role in its creation.
This revelation sparked a backlash from some fans, who accused Black of stealing Huang’s idea and taking credit for the Saxaboom’s creation. Others argued that the controversy was overblown and that the Saxaboom was simply a fun and harmless meme.
Reaction and Comments
Many people who were fans of the Saxaboom meme were disappointed to learn about the controversy surrounding its origins. Some felt that Black’s involvement in the creation of the instrument was integral to its appeal, while others argued that the meme’s popularity was due to its sheer absurdity and humor.
Andrew Huang himself weighed in on the controversy, stating that he was grateful for the exposure that the Saxaboom had received and that he and Black remained friends. Huang also emphasized that the Saxaboom was just one of many musical projects that he and Black had collaborated on over the years.
Despite the controversy, the Saxaboom meme remains a beloved and entertaining artifact of internet culture. Whether it was the result of a collaborative effort or not, there’s no denying that the Saxaboom brought joy and laughter to millions of people around the world.
