According to ABC News, while the dance originated during the 1980s in Harlem, New York, it is based on an Ethiopian dance called Eskista.[1][self-published source?][2] Since its beginnings it has spread to other urban areas and became popular in music videos. The self-purported inventor of the dance was "Al B", a Harlem resident.[3] Because of its founder, the dance was originally called the "Albee" in Rucker and Harlem, but then later became known as the Harlem shake.