Skibidi: How a Funny Dance Turned Into an Absurd Meme Phenomenon

Muhe - Wednesday, 27 August 2025 | 03:00 PM (WIB)

Skibidi: How a Funny Dance Turned Into an Absurd Meme Phenomenon

The internet never ceases to produce bizarre trends that virally spread later on. One of the most prominent ones in recent years is Skibidi. The name may sound familiar to some, but for those present on social media, "Skibidi" is now a part of internet pop culture. Interestingly, there are two phases to this phenomenon: it began as a humorous Russian song and dance, and later evolved into a series of absurd memes known as the Skibidi Toilet.

The Beginning: The Song "Skibidi" and the Viral Dance

The Skibidi phenomenon began in 2018 with the song "Skibidi" by Russian band Little Big. The song features a fast beat, catchy repetitive lyrics, and most notably, memorable choreography, the Skibidi Dance. The members of Little Big perform rigid yet comical hand and head movements in the official music video, which immediately induce laughter and curiosity.It did not take long for the dance to go viral across the globe. The #SkibidiChallenge engulfed TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. People from all over the world, from celebrities to random users, mimicked the moves. "Skibidi" then became more than a song, evolving into an iconic internet culture phenomenon in the late 2010s.

Evolution: The Toilet Skibidi

Whereas the Skibidi dance was comedic but doable, the next phase was even more absurd. In 2023, YouTube channel DaFuq!?Boom! released an animated series called Toilet Skibidi. The storyline is quite bizarre: a human head emerges from a toilet, dancing and singing in its signature "skibidi" voice. They then battle other sets of characters such as Cameramen, Speakermen, and TV Men.Despite its seemingly absurd nature, Skibidi Toilet has become a viral phenomenon, especially amongst Gen Z. The short animation has spread on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, with it being the subject of memes. The absurdity of the plot, coupled with the upbeat electronic music, makes it hard for people to stop watching. The series has even developed into its own "universe" with an ever-expanding lore, despite starting with what seemed like a ridiculous concept.

Why Did It Go Viral?

There are several reasons why Skibidi has gone viral:Simplicity: Both the dances and animations on Skibidi are easy to understand, with no requirement for complex cultural context.Absurd and Funny: The internet adores anything that is odd but funny. Skibidi ticks both boxes.Ease of Meme-Making: It is concise, repetitive, and simple to modify, so it is remix culture-friendly on social media.Cross-Generational Appeal: While the song and dance were trending in 2018–2019, Skibidi Toilet trended in 2023–2024, transcending generations.

Skibidi as a Digital Pop Culture Phenomenon

Skibidi illustrates how the straightforward, the absurd, can go global thanks to the internet. It made the transition from a Russian music phenomenon to a chatting internet toilet, demonstrating that internet culture is not necessarily logical but can be very powerful.This trend might disappear in time, as do other viral sensations. But its mark on the history of the internet is evident: Skibidi represents a symbol of how memes, music, and ridiculousness can come together in a single global trend.