Swae Lee recreates the Model Problem with followers at Chipotle
Few viral moments in web tradition outlined the 2010s fairly just like the Model Problem. In 2016, the development dominated social media timelines throughout Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube as teams of individuals froze in place whereas a digicam moved via the scene. The soundtrack that powered almost each model of the problem was Rae Sremmurd’s smash hit “Black Beatles.”
Now, almost a decade later, rapper Swae Lee is bringing the nostalgic second again.
In a shocking advertising collaboration with Chipotle, Swae Lee just lately recreated the viral Model Problem with followers inside one of many in style restaurant chain’s places. The second, which shortly started circulating throughout social media, exhibits the rapper standing immobile alongside clients because the digicam strikes via the restaurant, recreating the precise power that made the development explode in 2016.
The problem was a part of a promotional occasion celebrating the return of Chipotle’s cult-favorite promotion “Tatted Like a Chipotle Bag,” which the model introduced again on Friday the thirteenth.
For followers who keep in mind the viral craze, seeing Swae Lee revisit the second that helped make “Black Beatles” a worldwide hit immediately triggered a wave of nostalgia on-line.
The rise of Rae Sremmurd in hip-hop
Rae Sremmurd, whose identify is “Ear Drummers” spelled backward, first emerged within the hip-hop scene after signing with producer Mike Will Made It’s EarDrummers Leisure label.
The group’s early singles shortly gained consideration because of their energetic model and catchy hooks. Their debut album SremmLife was launched in 2015 and have become a significant business success.
Songs like “No Flex Zone” and “No Sort” grew to become anthems in golf equipment and on radio, each finally receiving triple platinum certifications from the Recording Trade Affiliation of America. The duo adopted up that success with SremmLife 2 in 2016, which included “Black Beatles.”
Their third mission, SR3MM (2018), took a singular method by functioning as a triple album that included solo tasks from each Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi. The group later launched their fourth album Sremm 4 Life in 2023.
“Black Beatles” and Rae Sremmurd’s breakout second
The viral success of the Model Problem additionally propelled Rae Sremmurd to new heights. The hip-hop duo, composed of brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi, had already gained reputation with hits like “No Flex Zone,” “No Sort,” and “Throw Sum Mo.” Nonetheless, the discharge of “Black Beatles” in 2016 turned them into international stars.
The track grew to become the lead single from their album SremmLife 2 and climbed the charts shortly as soon as the Model Problem started circulating on-line. By November 2016, the observe had reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Scorching 100. The track’s success helped solidify Rae Sremmurd as one of many defining hip-hop acts of the mid-2010s.
Swae Lee’s profitable solo profession
Whereas Rae Sremmurd stays a significant presence in hip-hop, Swae Lee has additionally carved out a powerful solo profession. One in all his largest achievements got here in 2018 when he collaborated with Put up Malone on the track “Sunflower.” The observe was featured on the soundtrack for the animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and shortly grew to become a worldwide hit.
“Sunflower” spent over 30 weeks within the Billboard Scorching 100’s high ten and finally earned diamond certification. The track stays some of the profitable tracks of the streaming period. Swae Lee has additionally collaborated with artists equivalent to Drake, Travis Scott, French Montana, and Madonna all through his profession.
Chipotle companions with Swae Lee to revive viral nostalgia
Chipotle’s choice to accomplice with Swae Lee was removed from random. The rapper performed a key function within the unique Model Problem phenomenon almost 9 years in the past.
Again in 2016, Rae Sremmurd’s track “Black Beatles,” that includes Gucci Mane, grew to become the unofficial anthem of the problem. Almost each viral model of the development featured the track taking part in within the background whereas individuals froze mid-action.
The observe shortly surged up the charts because the problem unfold throughout social media. Ultimately, “Black Beatles” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching 100, turning into Rae Sremmurd’s largest hit thus far.
Within the newly viral video, Swae Lee walks right into a Chipotle restaurant the place clients immediately freeze in place because the digicam strikes via the scene. Workers behind the counter, followers sitting at tables, and even clients in line stay completely nonetheless whereas “Black Beatles” performs within the background.
The recreation immediately transported viewers again to the viral craze of the mid-2010s.
Followers on-line shortly reacted with pleasure, praising the surprising throwback second.
The Model Problem that took over the web
The Model Problem first exploded throughout social media in November 2016. The idea was easy however visually fascinating: individuals freeze in place like mannequins whereas a shifting digicam records the scene.
In contrast to different viral challenges that required dancing or difficult choreography, the Model Problem relied on stillness.
The extra inventive and elaborate the frozen scene, the extra viral the video grew to become.
The development reportedly started with college students at Edward H. White Excessive College in Jacksonville, Florida. After their video gained traction on-line, the thought unfold quickly throughout social media platforms. Quickly, celebrities, athletes, and full organizations had been collaborating.
Skilled sports activities groups, musicians, and even politicians joined the problem, every attempting to create more and more elaborate variations.
Among the most memorable Model Problem movies featured whole locker rooms of athletes frozen mid-celebration or workplace buildings crammed with workers paused in dramatic poses.
The development was so visually hanging that many media shops in contrast it to “bullet time” scenes from science fiction movies like The Matrix.
Others famous similarities to HBO’s Westworld, which debuted across the identical time and featured robotic hosts that could possibly be frozen mid-action.
Viral developments and music: a robust mixture
The resurgence of the Model Problem highlights how viral developments and music typically work hand in hand. Lots of the largest songs lately have gained traction via social media challenges.
From the Harlem Shake to TikTok dance developments, viral web moments can dramatically enhance a track’s reputation. Within the case of “Black Beatles,” the Model Problem helped rework the observe right into a cultural phenomenon. Even years later, the track stays intently related to the viral development.
Chipotle’s current marketing campaign demonstrates how manufacturers proceed to faucet into web nostalgia to attach with youthful audiences. By recreating a viral second tied to a preferred track, the corporate efficiently sparked dialog throughout social media platforms.
Followers react to the Model Problem comeback
As clips of the Chipotle video circulated on-line, followers instantly started sharing their reactions. Many viewers joked that the problem immediately transported them again to highschool or faculty days in 2016. Others praised Swae Lee for embracing the nostalgia quite than distancing himself from the viral second that helped form his profession.
Some followers even started posting their very own Model Problem movies once more, proving that the development nonetheless holds a particular place in web tradition. Almost a decade after it first took over social media, the problem stays some of the recognizable viral moments of the 2010s. And due to Swae Lee’s shock look at Chipotle, it seems the web could also be freezing in place as soon as once more.
