Overview
- FIRST SEEN April 2006
- POPULARITY 300M+ YouTube views (approx. 320M by spring 2024; >300M as of 2025).
- FIRST KNOW CREATOR Judson Laipply
- HASHTAGS #EvolutionOfDance, #JudsonLaipply
How It Started
Laipply conceived the bit around 2000-2001 as a closer for his motivational talks, first performing a 2:30 version with 12 songs on March 17, 2001. By 2006 the routine had grown to about 30 songs and six minutes. After students asked for a MySpace clip, he uploaded to YouTube on April 6, 2006, picking the now-iconic performance in the orange T-shirt.
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Mar 17, 2001: first live performance (12 songs). judsonlaipply.com
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Apr 6, 2006: YouTube upload to enable MySpace embedding.
How It Spread
Within weeks, view counts jumped from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, then into the millions as the video ricocheted across MySpace and early blogs. Traditional media followed, with TV bookings (Today show) and major live slots (e.g., NBA Finals appearances) amplifying reach. YouTube’s own history logs the video as a repeat “most-viewed” #1, reflecting both organic sharing and the churn of rival videos being removed or overtaken.
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Rapid early growth (late April-May 2006) noted by Laipply and press retrospectives. People.com
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Multiple stints as YouTube’s most-viewed video between 2006-2009.
Examples
These touchpoints document creation → breakout → sequels/retrospectives.
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Original video (YouTube, Apr 6, 2006) – Evolution of Dance.
Variations & Spin-offs
Laipply expanded the concept with sequels Evolution of Dance 2 (released Jan 2009) and Evolution of Dance 3 (Apr 2016). The core “evolution of ___” naming meme influenced late-night parodies like “Evolution of Mom Dancing” (Jimmy Fallon + Michelle Obama), and Laipply himself cameoed among internet legends in Weezer’s meme-packed “Pork and Beans” video. TrendHunter.com
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EoD 2 (Jan 2009) – widely covered sequel.
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EoD 3 (Apr 2016) – 10-year anniversary update.
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Weezer cameo (May 2008) – Laipply appears among web icons.
Why It’s Popular
By the Numbers
YouTube’s historical tables and retrospectives document unprecedented milestones for the era. Evolution of Dance was the first video to 20M views (June 5, 2006) and the first to 50M (June 7, 2007); it also held #1 most-viewed in May 2006, then again in March 2008 and May 2009 due to leaderboard reshuffles. Contemporary sources place lifetime views at 300M+.
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First to 20M: June 5, 2006.
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First to 50M: June 7, 2007.
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Most-viewed #1: May 19, 2006 (16 days); Mar 15, 2008 (124 days); May 2, 2009 (176 days).
Community / Ethics Notes
How to Spot It
A single wide shot of Laipply in an orange T-shirt, under a stage spotlight, cutting rapidly between recognizable steps (Twist, Hammer dance, Macarena, etc.) as short song snippets cascade from ’50s rock & roll → ’90s/’00s hits. The pace quickens toward the finale, with audience laughter/cheers audible in the room.
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Visual: one performer, no cuts, stage spotlight.
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Audio: 30-ish quick song snippets spanning decades.
How to Recreate This Trend
Build a chronological medley of 15-30 tracks (or royalty-free sound-alikes), choreograph signature 5-10 second moves for each, and stage it as a single unbroken take. Keep transitions snappy, use a static camera and clean lighting, and foreground recognition beats (iconic moves people can name instantly). If posting broadly, license the music or use cleared covers to avoid takedowns.
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Essentials: timeline of tracks, 1-2 iconic moves per song, tight audio edits.
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Production: fixed cam, one take, live audience optional (adds energy).
Update Log
This section records significant revisions or new information (e.g., updated participation totals, new academic evaluations of impact, or notable anniversary revivals). We’ll adjust figures and attributions if stronger primary sources emerge or if platforms release new analytics.
Mar 17, 2001 — First live Evolution of Dance performance (≈12 songs, 2:30).
Apr 6, 2006 — Uploaded to YouTube to generate a MySpace embed code.
May 19, 2006 — Becomes YouTube’s most-viewed video for the first time (16 days).
Jun 5, 2006 — First YouTube video to 20M views.
Jun 7, 2007 — First YouTube video to 50M views.
Mar 1–15, 2008 — Briefly surpassed by “Music Is My Hot Hot Sex”; after its takedown on Mar 15, Evolution of Dance regains #1 (second stint, 124 days).
Jul 17, 2008 — Overtaken by Avril Lavigne – “Girlfriend” as #1.
May 2, 2009 — Regains #1 a third time (176 days) before being surpassed later that year.
Jan 2009 — Evolution of Dance 2 releases; widely covered.
Apr 6–8, 2016 — 10-year anniversary; Evolution of Dance 3 debuts (coverage on CBS Texas; blog retrospectives).
Mar 5, 2025 — PEOPLE publishes a 20-year YouTube retrospective interview; Laipply cites 300M+ lifetime views and ongoing performances.
