I Accidentally Became A Meme: Chocolate Rain

[@tayzonday]

Thanks Buzzfeed!

[@SnarkNSass]

Well yeah Tay! Subd n belld! ✌💖

[@volteus44]

Legend 👏🏼

[@royaltaee5111]

Thank you for the childhood memories!

[@_7onti]

Got roasted countless times in school back then from people saying I look like you 🙃.

[@ketama180]

poggers

[@weaponofmassconstruction1940]

How dare he not age a day in 14 years! 😢

[@Videoswag23]

If anything he looks younger now

[@ErinLuxe]

He could have gone into modeling

[@miketkong2]

lol 😆

[@HattieMcDanielonaMoon]

Black don't crack

[@withapinchofsteph8044]

That part!!!! Like teach us your ways

[@BritneyAlea]

He was in grad school during the chocolate rain era??!! I legit thought he was 16 with a deep voice 😩😂😩.

[@withapinchofsteph8044]

This is crazy like his is 30/40 looking 18!!

[@proshredda91]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one lol

[@tammykelly9846]

What? He sounds 50. He literally just said he sounds like Barry White

[@jessislistless]

It's all about training too

[@jwbowen]

The first time I saw it I thought his voice had been altered.

[@riser9940]

If you never knew the song Chocolate Rain , your childhood was missing out

[@semiholic]

@Brix Potencion so ur 10? 💀

[@FalcaoXTZ]

Most kids now won’t know him

[@MaryLouu3]

I don't know it either 💀

[@GMNEY7]

Guess I missed out ☹️😐

[@fabianguerreros3921]

I remember it, but I forgot all about him

[@UniversoulLady]

"I look like Bruno Mars, I sound like Barry White, I move like Mr. Bean" Talk about self awareness lmfaooo

[@LaurenOliviArt]

For real 😂😂😂

[@kaanarmutcu6740]

@@marcusfarkas4092 nobody asked anything about you dude

[@marcusfarkas4092]

@@kaanarmutcu6740 yeah he sounds like Barry White. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Go splash some cold water on your face

[@kermitgotthesickkicks4265]

Lmfao

[@Dead_Goat]

Except he looks like mr bean, sounds like an old white guy, and moves like steve urkel.

[@sistertujuana4834]

I really appreciate him..his whole story, the actual song chocolate rain, and his ability to stay true to his message. I heard chocolate rain when it went viral many years ago. I had no idea what the actual verses said or what they meant. I’m glad this is resurfacing.

[@withapinchofsteph8044]

This part!!! Like he is brilliant and true to him and the cause

[@Pixiesfairiedust]

It’s depressing how the lyrics are still so relevant now.

[@sistertujuana4834]

@@withapinchofsteph8044 yes, and I’m here for it. Chocolate rain brotha for president!

[@Pixiesfairiedust]

@@sistertujuana4834 lol. What makes me feel better is that it’s starting to feel like society is starting to not just “wish real hard that it goes away somehow.”

[@peropero2307]

there are slave is africa right now in this moment and u cry about something that dosnot exist poor you, poor black omg i feel so bad about them poor blacks from america they have it so hard... is that that u wanna hear?

[@kristaj428]

Alot of us missed the point of the song in 09 but if you read and listen to the lyrics he was onto something.

[@charlotter949]

@Hate China it's not?

[@tangemclemore8486]

@Hate China STFU you not funny

[@beybladesinmyheels1267]

@Hate China the misunderstood hero

[@pricklycatsss]

I always thought it was about a difficult diarrhea episode

[@beyondtrash1627]

@@pricklycatsss "The same crime has a higher price to pay," "The judge and jury swear it's not in the face," Ah yes, exactly how I'd describe diarrhea lol. I know that's not what you meant, I just thought it was funny that so many people could think a song with these lyrics is about diarrhea.

[@lucyisabelturner]

‘Tay Zonday’ is just the most majestic name ever, like that name was made to be famous

[@veronicagonzalez2889]

Because his song became a meme, and to people on youtube in 2007. Who watch chocolate rain. Will literally remember the meme.

[@rubberchix]

@@veronicagonzalez2889 I remember him saying he chose it because nothing came up if you googled it so he knew every result would always be his

[@linsqopiring6816]

That's his real name ?

[@linsqopiring6816]

What kind of name is that?

[@kermitgotthesickkicks4265]

Wait that's actually his real name? Damn

[@alexliu701]

He's literally talking about me, 13 years old, listening to chocolate rain and having no clue what it was really about. I just thought it was a funny meme. It's so very heartening that I can be 27 now and, as he very astutely said, have the resources to understand the message about racism. What an articulate guy!

[@tumadre5000]

Democrats are the party of racism. They created the KKK and fought to keep segregation.

[@sirdamned9272]

mUh waCiSM

[@rom26ik]

@@tumadre5000 mfs always say this and never mention the party flip

[@westoneuler4065]

@@rom26ik it was less of a flip and more of a shift, but not from left to right or vise versa, but the traditionally authoritarian democrats became more libertarian, while conservatives went more authoritarian. Racist ass southern democrats exist to this day, as do traditional republicans up north. It’s just a really nuanced point in american political history.

[@alcalu]

"He's talking about me, 13 years old, listening to 'Chocolate Rain' and having no clue what it was really about; I just thought it was a funny meme. It's so heartening that I can be 27 now and, as he very astutely said, have the resources to understand the message about racism. What an articulate guy!"

[@thejesuschrist]

Amen

[@Thatdudude]

Bro i swear i saw you in my living room

[@stromegy5792]

Ayo wtf

[@iiqson]

Oop uh

[@pogchamp1138]

eyup Jesus how are ya mate

[@maxine9263]

@@Thatdudude BAHAHAH

[@charliezander5555]

Why isn't anyone talking about how articulate and intelligent this guy is? Sharp as a f**king tack.

[@JustAPokemonCommentingOnVideos]

the song chocolate rain is also very well written

[@ginmaria117]

Autistic people usually are ...

[@SignatureFox713]

Also his voice is like butter

[@ubergamer0198]

Because, sad to say, there are people who will accuse you of racism for acknowledging such things.

[@djstarsign]

Because he’s an educated adult male, so it’s not surprising at all. We would comment if he sounded like an idiot.

[@Seriousjaak]

Honestly, I think that has got to be the best explanation I've ever heard of how today's social media actually isolates groups of people.

[@gabrieladasilvapequeno5779]

Yes

[@k.c1126]

Agree. This is actually one of the things I dislike about the alogarithmic approach FB YT et al use in showing you content. It assumes that everyone wants to see content just like what they already have seen, and there's no way to "opt out" and have content come to you more randomly.

[@knuckle12356]

@@k.c1126 also, if I watch one random video with, let's say, an incredible football catch, it does not mean I am now interested solely in football related content... especially bad with the shorts feeds.

[@bacardim390]

@@k.c1126 SPOT ON

[@Sinderella01]

I thought it blew up because he kept breathing away from the mic 🎤

[@tangemclemore8486]

Stop it...lol

[@cloud99955]

Lmao

[@J-CG]

This man hasn't aged 😂 I've been through like 8 different KZbin accounts since I first saw Chocolate Rain.....This man doesn't look like he's been through 8 days since

[@TWENTYFO5]

How could have possibly needed to make 8 new KZbin accounts..that’s just absurd

[@5ft2mikahakkinen]

@@TWENTYFO5 maybe he kept forgetting his password lol

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Maybe he didn't want to be associated with chocolate rain so directly

[@veronicagonzalez2889]

Is he eben now i differant age! I see him the same lol

[@NewWesternFront]

some stay dry and others feel the pain

[@chubby6961]

So you're telling me that the song was about racism. What I just thought it was a meme wtf was wrong with us lol

[@GravyCity.]

Terrible how I initially knew that, but people weren’t taking it seriously so I thought I was wrong. Refreshing to know that I understood so young.

[@jacksamson7401]

meh to be honest I dont think anyone cared about the racism part I think we just liked the best

[@jacksamson7401]

beat fuk

[@kolpkii]

WAIT WHAT-

[@headlessharry40]

I thought it was just about chocolate rain as global warming or something.. ouch.

[@khensane5150]

it's so sad that his meme was sometimes used to mocked someone online but Chocolate rain message is all about racism 😔

[@BitchChill]

There's just a bunch of things that make it unintentionally funny

[@jacksamson7401]

yeah I dont see how its about racism I mean its chocolate rain what the hell is that suppose to mean

[@jessislistless]

@@jacksamson7401 I guess you didn't watch the video and decided to read comments instead??

[@a.dria_na]

@@jacksamson7401 check the lyrics

[@edwardzita3479]

@@jacksamson7401 0:45 come on dude it's not even a minute in and you missed it from the literal creator himself...

[@AppalachianCatholicPoet]

Listen, Chocolate Rain was one of the greatest viral moments of the internet. I still love that song to this day!

[@dolanduck9347]

Tay Zonday is more than a meme. He is a youtube legend!

[@veronicagonzalez2889]

Yes

[@dimplesd8931]

The GOAT

[@davidpretorius7285]

What a charming, eloquent, down to earth guy. You can hear he's intelligent and well educated (not that you have to be well educated to be intelligent)

[@HassanPoyo]

I’m so glad I can finally get some context behind this legendary video

[@xnuclear7000]

THIS GUY IS A LEGEND!

[@st8881]

Dude you did not become a meme, you became a cultural icon 💯

[@ScientificallyStupid]

I will never forget where I was when I heard Chocolate Rain for the first time- I was about 30ish, driving alone from NY to SC in a horrendous rainstorm, my 13 hour trip extended to 18 bc of highway closures (a truck carrying hazardous...something got into a wreck on 95 and they shut it down for hours to clean up), and I turned on the radio- Opie and Anthony were talking about some song called "Chocolate Rain" and then they played snippets of it. I didn't know if it was a joke (like pretty much everything they did) or if the guy singing the song meant it as an authentic statement- his voice was so unique and the words were kind of like a stream of consciousness about the racial divide that I thought should probably be taken seriously. One of those memories that stands out perfectly in your mind, that place and that time and everything you heard, felt, saw and smelled in that moment.

[@poperaymond431]

This guy was basically the first ever instance of a viral video, he had actual talent too.

[@SonnyGTA]

No. It’s not.

[@chrsmcfrln]

Numa Numa meme was three years before this.

[@AGothNamedWednessday]

I had no clue he is from minneapolis, I also apparently never listened to the full song and had no clue it was about systematic racism, but like it's extremely obvious looking back. What an icon

[@mariaheshmatg7806]

Right, he should rock a show at first Ave when it hits the 20 year mark

[@simplicityd8703]

Yeaaaaaa not like the fact that he got so successful disproves the theory of systemic racism

[@davyannajones]

Netflix needs to get him to narrate biographies. He has such a great voice.

[@HassanPoyo]

Man this is such a throwback. Most 9 year old fortnite players weren’t even born during this time. Good days.

[@nikolllumaj8784]

Yeah children weren’t born when you were born

[@phillipgurajena380]

@@nikolllumaj8784 your one of them

[@nikolllumaj8784]

@@phillipgurajena380 I’m a 9 year old lol. Take a look at your pfp 💀

[@unfasten]

"Most" 9-year-old Fortnite players weren't born in 2007? Which ones were, and how are they still 9?

[@pandepeace]

The first time I saw him I thought he was a child with a low voice xD

[@LynxChan]

Wait, we went though the entire video without mentioning that one day someone on KZbin decided to make Chocolate Rain the exclusive featured video (when that was still a thing), something that had never happened before? It was suddenly everywhere, unavoidable.

[@midimusicforever]

Besides "Chocolate Rain", Tay's "Mama Economy" is also quite brilliant.

[@MatthewzCollectablez]

you’re gonna freak out when you find out Fiat fire, if you’re even still around

[@amd65ak]

Thank you for making the video 15 years ago. since childhood watching it on G4 TV, this song has been stuck in my head and people always look at my funny when i sing it!

[@Stubhose]

Shut up nerd

[@seanieboi1234]

4 chan. Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time.

[@pwnage44]

Who cares if it became a meme. Had it not, it wouldn't have become widespread, and barely anyone would have seen it. It becoming a meme for all the wrong reasons was a blessing in disguise as it became a pop culture phemomenon. Thus, the message of the song reached the general populous on a massive scale. The amount of positive change that a nerd in his living room is capable of, is honestly pretty wholesome

[@brettpilkington9539]

The problem is no one understood wtf it was about 😂

[@angelicakeller8266]

I legit spent so much time on 4chan in 2003-2007. I lived for chocolate rain memes. The Vanilla Snow parody version had me crying lol

[@HazySkies]

I first saw it when I was around 13 years of age (I'm 27 now, man time flies), and I could understand what it meant and it was as moving then as it is hearing it now. Maybe even more now I and perhaps even the world has become more mature and there's more of a focus on anti-discrimination rather than allowing it being ignored, turning the blind eye. For all we know this song could've been a contributing factor in that positive change.

[@TheTSense]

Built a tent and say the world is dry. I think that line really sells it.

[@TonyAdokwu]

The titles of these videos 😂. When you think about it no one wants to intentionally become a meme🤣

[@CANNAV0]

KZbin OG's assemble!

[@supersophisticated9943]

You're awesome, tay! Saying things like this in 2007 seems so obvious but somehow even today we've still got so much discrimination it's ridiculous! I admire what became of your message! It's like nirvana blowing up and spreading their awarenesses!

[@WessyD123]

The OG of OG youtubers

[@Daniel-Strain]

I just realized, I want to hear what Tay Zonday has to say about a lot of things. :)

[@BradiKal61]

I never saw more than a few seconds of that original performance but the impression i formed was that he was a non English speaking person singing a translated song from some other country. Instead, he's a powerful speaker who hails from Prince's part of the country. Happy to see hes doing so well

[@danielstudart2062]

I still can't get the genius line by Eric Andre singing this song out of my head. "Chocolate Rain... must cost a lot in dry cleaning" it's so simple and obvious but still so funny, especially the way he sang it. It's nearing the end of his hot ones episode.

[@1rage17]

Chocolate rain is super deep, the lyrics are super deep, his voice is super deep…. This guy is really the trifecta of awesomeness during the birth of KZbin! He really is a mr beans, berry white and Bruno mars 😂

[@BabeRuthuk]

“I look like Bruno Mars. I sound like Barry white and I move like Mr Bean” 😂😂😂 tell me why this made me laugh so loud!!!

[@ThatBaskat]

I love how he sounded like cell, im not really a dragonball fan anymore but that voice, MWA

[@WindowsXPFrog]

I was a teenager and the point went WAY over my head. I only really heard the chocolate rain part.

[@EminencePhront]

I have a hard time buying the argument that "America wasn't ready for a song about racism" in 2007 given that En Vogue had a monster hit in 1992 with Free Your Mind.

[@ZexaXIII]

So nostalgic. I miss those days. Didn't know I was making some of my life's best memories.

[@KaylaTheKindOne]

He is ridiculously intelligent and well spoken, I didn't even realize until now. Chocolate Rain will always be a thought-provoking banger.

[@simplicityd8703]

He is well spoken but "intelligent"? Don't think so he thinks that anti black racism is still a thing... After being asked to talk on a huge company's youtube

[@sirdamned9272]

Imagine going to open mic night and Tay Zonday rolls in with Chocolate Rain...

[@chrisbirch4150]

It would be like seeing a young unknown Elvis do the Shakey legs

[@lrw6447]

Chocolate rainnn He hasn’t aged a damn singular day Chocolate rainnnn

[@royfablooo2810]

This back when KZbin was KZbin. And yes I sound a boomer but I miss those damn days.

[@omegamanGXE]

Yeah now it’s censored to hell and full of promoted leftist propaganda

[@vinnyeatspancakes]

in my 18 years of living, i wouldve never have guessed a song about chocolate raining would be a deeper meaning about racism…

[@billjones8950]

His song has no meaning he’s just a meme 😂

[@kobiee2x137]

​@@billjones8950 You one of those people who intentionally ignore the lyrics.

[@mrjinkorea]

Love ya Tay! I'm so happy to hear you're doing well.

[@markacevedo441]

I didn't even realize there were words other than chocolate rain in that song, couldn't hear them over my laughter

[@Errcyco]

That was pleasantly optimistic, informative and articulated. Not sure what i expected but good to see this dude clearly is a smart one.

[@janeweightman9863]

I was in fact 12 years old when Chocolate rain came out in 2007 and back then I didn't understand there was a serious message at all but now as an adult it's so obvious.

[@ERob1987]

Chocolate Rain has made him look younger today

[@PorpoiseBubbles]

I look like Bruno mars sound like Barry white and move like Mr Bean is such a great description

[@charlesherman286]

Man looks 18 and talks 40

[@tonit2201]

Dont forget, He even made it into south park

[@baguettefedora.9225]

I saw the song chocolate rain like a year ago, I didn't understand what it ment until for awhile, I think it has a nice beat to it, it looks like he hasn't changed at all. And I do think even a 12 year old could understand it in todays society

[@ray.gene.bowner]

0:34 that was not the design youtube had in 2007

[@rmannayr2129]

THE GUY IS A LEGEND!

[@gabe_s_videos]

As soon as I heard the melody, I was transported back to high school. Unfortunately, it was ten to 1 in the morning on a Saturday, so I have to wait a couple days for someone to come by and let me out.

[@gewkc5264]

NGL mans got a beautiful voice

[@llamedica]

What a great analysis of the history of search - excellent interview!

[@WaywardAce]

Loved that song .... understood the message immediately ...... I always kinda wondered if others did as well and chose the route of trivialization to cover the true meaning

[@jeremiahdavis6012]

im still a fan after all these years, haven't been keeping up with the anything new though, but got me digging into my music more.

[@jkengland832]

So did everyone forget about the legendary Team Fortress 2 livestream?

[@Joseph10557]

Bro aged amazingly

[@Pause-h3s]

He looks the same, that’s to a healthy lifestyle

[@kensley94]

Piece of KZbin history, this song back in the days contributed with helping me trough tough times. Rip those old youtube days aswell, kids these days will never know the simplicity of youtube back in the days where videos didnt need to look profesional to be good, it was just broadcast yourself as your are as for your équipement and its all good.

[@sav2053]

Our favourite song chocolate 🍫 rain 🌧!

[@MB32904]

this guy’s voice got younger

[@samppakoivula9977]

The only meme person I knew by name...

[@spensert4933]

Finally some context. Thanks dude.

[@bigpapa2195]

Some stay dry while others feel the pain🤜

[@HakimBoxer215]

Rain*

[@bigpapa2195]

@@HakimBoxer215 Tf you talking about learn the lyrics dumbshit ass

[@HakimBoxer215]

@@bigpapa2195 why you so mad old head is probably your first time listening to it

[@epifan3_]

And this guy just happened to be not only super intelligent but a genius!! Mind blown 😳🙌🏼

[@Nacolamoon]

Always loved his brilliance 💖

[@NIGHTMARE8877]

I don’t care what anybody says, Tay Zonday will forever be a KZbin/internet legend.

[@michaelofparadise]

i never knew the song was that deep

[@Stubhose]

Never knew your mom was so deep

[@izzynobre]

Dude is incredibly smart. And apparently has access to a Fountain of Youth?!

[@xofam8008]

Legenddddd🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@aferak145]

What he said about the recommendation engine is soo tru and why do not like it...it just makes it harder to find hidden gems like leave everything open so that I decide what I like to watch or not. And I also think that’s how KZbin controls who goes viral or not

[@treverfarted]

I hope you all accept my sincerest apologies for the things I’ve done and said. I’m learning from my mistakes and working to become a better person every single day.

[@tangemclemore8486]

Idk you, but I'll accept it. And btw you cute

[@cloud99955]

Wat

[@timeghost5000]

i rmr the first time i heard this, my uncle showed it to me at a family dinner. i do rmr him trying to eke out the deeper meaning with my mom but what i Really rmr was that first “chocolate rain” and “i step away from the mic to breathe in.” seeing/hearing that again took me right back. thank you mr. zonday!

[@aisadal2521]

Omg, yasss, another I Accidentally Became a Meme video! 😍

[@SolarTTG]

So you don’t know chocolate rain guy 0.o

[@bubblewaffle1558]

@@SolarTTG you didn't even say his name soooo

[@bf1255]

Hey, man! Good to see you!!!! Viva la midwest

[@HassanPoyo]

This guy ages like Morgan Freeman

[@bennieboi7114]

Bro how can a song called “chocolate rain” have anything to do with racism 🤣🤣🤣

[@kobiee2x137]

Did you go to every comment section on this to tell people that you don't know what metaphor is. 😂😂 Bro just admit you loved the song till you found out it was about racism and got upset because you're racist and arnt allowed to like it anymore.😂

[@immie692]

Chocolate raiiiinnn

[@brittdei]

Maaan what a legend! Incredible voice too!

[@lavenderflowersfall280]

Kind of sad that people are only concerned about becoming viral anymore

[@richieC1999]

Mannnnn 14 years later god how time flew it still slaps tho

[@ayanorika5766]

Wow it’s been so long ~

[@aragornii507]

We have a badass over here!

[@aawc2747]

His defo an estranged Jackson family member 😂

[@Maniduval]

Literally, the best, authentic( key word) success story I’ve ever seen. Best stroke of luck, courage and hope. Eventually over time being the best decision ever made. Very nice and very encouraging. Thank you.