The internet is a vast landscape of trends, memes, and viral sensations, and one reaction that has firmly planted itself in the digital lexicon is the “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” meme. This explosive burst of excitement, encapsulated in a short video clip, has become the go-to response for celebrating peak moments online. But where did this meme originate, and why has it become so popular? Let’s dive into the origins, spread, and cultural impact of the “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” GIF.
The Genesis of a Viral Yell
The journey of “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” began on December 4th, 2018, when YouTuber T M uploaded a seemingly ordinary video. However, it was anything but ordinary. The video featured a Black man in a bedroom, overcome with enthusiasm as he passionately yelled praise for an unseen individual. His words, “That’s what I’m talking about! That’s why he’s the MVP! That’s why he’s the GOAT; the GOAT!” resonated with raw, unfiltered excitement. The phrase “the GOAT,” an acronym for “Greatest Of All Time,” amplified his already fervent praise. Adding to the video’s quirky charm was a Snapchat banner that questioned, “Is this man okay??💀💀💀,” suggesting the video’s spontaneous and over-the-top nature. Despite its humble beginnings, this short clip quickly began its ascent into meme stardom, amassing over a million views in just four years.
Unfortunately, the original YouTube upload has since been removed, but the internet’s memory is long, and the meme lived on through countless reposts and shares.
From Obscurity to Internet Stardom: The Spread of the GOAT Meme
While the initial YouTube video laid the foundation, the “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” reaction truly took off in the early 2020s, finding its niche as a versatile reaction meme. Early adopters on platforms like Twitter began using it to express admiration and hype. For instance, in November 2020, Twitter user @Torment, a Rocket League player, used it to express his excitement while watching professional player @Turbopolsa, showcasing its early use in sports and gaming contexts.
However, the meme’s trajectory shifted into hyperdrive in June 2022 with the rise of the City Boy trend on TikTok. This trend, celebrating men who prioritize their ambitions over romantic relationships, found a perfect anthem in the “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” reaction. Compilation videos showcasing “City Boy” behavior often incorporated the meme to amplify the praise for these men’s actions, further embedding the reaction into internet culture. YouTuber Tok Plugg’s compilation in June 2022, featuring the reaction multiple times, garnered over 300,000 views, highlighting its growing popularity on the platform.
This image captures the iconic moment from the original YouTube video where a man exuberantly proclaims someone as “the GOAT,” the genesis of a popular internet meme.
TikTok became the primary engine for the meme’s widespread adoption. Users deployed it as a general expression of hype and praise, transcending the “City Boy” trend. In July 2022, TikToker @trixx_f1 paired the clip with footage of Formula 1 racer Lewis Hamilton, garnering over 135,000 views and showcasing its application in celebrating achievements in various fields. August 2022 witnessed another surge in popularity as the meme became integral to the “Ranking Every X” trend. In this trend, users rank items within a franchise, using different reaction videos to punctuate their ratings. The “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” reaction became synonymous with expressing top-tier, ultimate praise in these rankings.
[https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7116493657938595078](https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7116493657938595078)This TikTok embed showcases an example of the “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” meme used in the context of praising Lewis Hamilton, demonstrating its application beyond its original context.
[https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7139077462037630214](https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7139077462037630214)This TikTok embed exemplifies the “Ranking Every X” trend, where the “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” meme is used to signify the highest possible rating, highlighting its versatility in expressing superlative praise.
Further solidifying its meme status, the clip was even incorporated into creative remixes. In August 2022, YouTuber v1ncent 𒉭 created an AMV (Anime Music Video) mashup, blending the “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” audio with “The Grinch” by Trippie Redd, showcasing the meme’s adaptability and integration into various forms of online content.
Related Meme Trends: City Boy and Ranking Every X
To fully appreciate the context of “That’s Why He’s The GOAT,” it’s helpful to understand the related trends that propelled its popularity:
City Boy: Celebrating Unconventional Masculinity
City Boy is more than just slang; it’s a cultural phenomenon describing men who prioritize personal success and freedom, sometimes at the expense of traditional relationship norms. Emerging from the “City Boy Summer” trend in 2019, it exploded on TikTok in June 2022. Compilation videos showcased men embodying “City Boy” traits – rejecting advances, admitting infidelity, and displaying “toxic” behaviors – ironically celebrated with enthusiastic reaction videos. “That’s Why He’s the GOAT” became a signature reaction within this trend, adding a layer of exaggerated praise to the often-questionable actions depicted.
Ranking Every X: Grading with Memes
Ranking Every X is a trend that injects humor and meme culture into the act of ranking. Instead of simple numerical scores, users employ a series of reaction videos to rate items within a category. These videos, often sourced from figures like EDP445, The Rock, The Boys, Cr1tikal, and, crucially, “That’s Why He’s The GOAT,” provide comedic and exaggerated ratings. The “GOAT” reaction naturally signifies the highest possible ranking, making it a coveted slot in these humorous rating compilations. The trend gained significant traction in August and September 2022, further cementing the “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” meme’s relevance.
“Thats Why Hes The Goat GIF” – More Than Just a Meme
While the term “Thats Why Hes The Goat Gif” might emphasize the GIF format, the meme’s impact extends beyond static images. The original video’s raw energy and the man’s unbridled enthusiasm are crucial to its appeal. Whether in GIF or video form, “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” has become a powerful shorthand for expressing ultimate praise, admiration, and hype across the internet. Its versatility, comedic timing, and sheer infectious energy have made it a lasting and evolving element of online communication.
Various Examples of “That’s Why He’s The GOAT” in Action
[https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7145071722398616837](https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7145071722398616837)[https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7131753306346507563](https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7131753306346507563)[https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7137981006640041262](https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7137981006640041262)[https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7128691642449677573](https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7128691642449677573)External References
[1] YouTube – T M
[2] Twitter – torment
[3] YouTube – Tok Plugg
[4] TikTok – thaboyzbible
[5] YouTube – the grinch guitar version – THAT’S WHY HE’S THE GOAT
