What Happened to Harry Bauer Rodrigues?

Harry Bauer Rodrigues, known professionally as Baauer, first emerged on the electronic music scene in 2011, quickly gaining recognition for his unique blend of trap and bass music. His career trajectory dramatically shifted in May 2012 with the release of his track "Harlem Shake" on Diplo's Mad Decent label. While initially a club hit, the song exploded into a global internet meme in February 2013, leading to thousands of user-generated videos featuring people dancing to the track. This viral sensation propelled "Harlem Shake" to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat aided by Billboard's new methodology that included YouTube streams in its chart calculations. The song's immense, unexpected success brought Baauer international recognition, but also presented the challenge of moving beyond a single, meme-driven hit.

In the years following "Harlem Shake," Baauer focused on establishing himself as a serious artist beyond the viral phenomenon. He released the "ß" EP in 2014, featuring collaborations with artists like AlunaGeorge and Rae Sremmurd. His highly anticipated debut album, "Aa" (pronounced "double a"), arrived on March 18, 2016, via LuckyMe. This album demonstrated a broader artistic scope, incorporating diverse influences and featuring guest appearances from notable artists such as Future, Pusha T, M.I.A., and G-Dragon. "Aa" was well-received, showcasing Baauer's production prowess and his ability to craft complex, genre-bending electronic music.

Baauer continued to evolve his sound, releasing his second studio album, "Planet's Mad," on June 19, 2020. The album, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests, was conceived with a cinematic, sci-fi narrative in mind, exploring various micro-genres and featuring a maximalist dance sound. "Planet's Mad" garnered critical acclaim and earned Baauer a nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards, solidifying his standing as a respected producer in the electronic music landscape.

Between 2021 and 2024, Baauer released a series of standalone singles, including "Ddokbokki" (with Omega Sapien), "Fallaway" (with RL Grime), "Love in the Music," "Let Me Love U," "No Delay," and "All My Ladies," demonstrating a gradual shift towards house music influences. In 2023, he also formed the duo Dylan & Harry with Party Favor, releasing the EP "DnH." This period saw him experimenting with new styles and opening up his creative process, notably by streaming music-making sessions live on Twitch.

As of 2026, Baauer has entered a new phase of his career with the release of his third studio album, "U." Announced in April 2026 and released on June 12, 2026, "U" marks a significant stylistic departure, embracing a "super happy music" ethos inspired by the BBC Radio 1 dance shows and bloghouse movement of his teenage years in London. The album features a continuous mix of 16 tracks, blending Eurodisco, piano house, and breakbeat, with executive production by Hudson Mohawke and collaborations with artists like Aluna and KUČKA. Baauer is currently supporting the album with a series of tour dates scheduled across North America in September and October 2026, including stops in Washington D.C., Brooklyn, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, and Montreal, as well as an appearance at Miami's Hocus Pocus festival.