A footage of four New York men stopping to perform an impromptu hip-hop dance in the middle of Times Square has gone viral since it was shared on the internet last week.
In the video shared on Twitter on August 4, Wuilly Arteaga from Venezuela can be seen playing violin in the busy intersection with incredible skill and talent.
Although the violinist gets the attention of nearly every passer-by, 4 music-loving young men take things to next level as they stop to dance one by one to the unlikely tune.
The first member of the gang begins the show by doing the Harlem Shake along with some other perfectly executed hip-hop moves.
As he finishes, another young man comes forward to display his moves, and so all of them dance taking turns as the violinist continues warming them with his extraordinary tune.
The dancers in the video were later identified to be Moe Black, Bruce Flee, and Ainsley Barrinton Brundage.
The 75-second-long video has since then gone viral and has received more than 6.68 million views so far.
Hundreds of thousands of people also shared their thoughts on the cheerful video. ‘This is the best thing I’ve seen all summer,’ wrote one.
‘It’s ridiculous how much joy this video brings,’ said another.
And while we are at it, let’s not forget the background of the talented violinist who has made headlines before.
According to the New York Times, the 24-year-old was once homeless, and he taught himself how to play violin by watching online tutorials.
He earned fame in 2017 when he played tunes back home in Venezuela in the middle of violent protests against President Nicolás Maduro.
Despite heavy violence around him and tear gas sprayed everywhere, Arteaga continued to perform, often playing somber versions of the National Anthem.
‘When I play for the national guard, some of them listen to me, some of them cry. And when I play for the protesters, it gives them motivation to keep going,’ Arteaga told The Associated Press in 2017.
‘I know my music creates a climate of peace, which is why I’ll continue playing on the streets of Venezuela.’
The talented musician was even jailed and tortured for taking part in the protests, and his violin was destroyed by the Venezuelan National Guard.
However, people donated money to him and some sent him used violins. He even received a signed violin from Shakira.
‘I play the violin for peace, for freedom,’ he said.
Arteaga has since then moved to New York City for safety where he has been performing at various places including Lincoln Center.
‘I’ll probably seek asylum but it’s not a decision I’ve made yet,’ he said. ‘I’m nervous and worried. I don’t know what’s going to happen with my life.’
‘I suffered a lot only because I played the violin against the government. I was tortured, I was put in jail. I don’t want to repeat that experience.
‘Even though I am here and I feel safe, I fear returning to Venezuela and going through the same thing. My biggest dream is to make music in my country, but for the moment I can’t do it.
‘Venezuela is going through a very dark moment. Many of us have been forced to leave the country, but that does not mean that we have forgotten about Venezuela or that we have stopped working for the well-being of Venezuelans.’