The canonical illustration of the Bongo Cat character playing wooden bongo drums in a simple, clean style with a white cat and content expression.

Bongo Cat

2018Animated video remix / music memeclassic

Published March 10, 2026 · Updated March 18, 2026

Also known as: BC · Bongo Cat Meme

Bongo Cat is an animated meme featuring a simple white cat-like blob playing bongos, originating from a May 2018 Twitter exchange between artists @StrayRogue and @DitzyFlama2. The original video synced the cat's table-slapping animation to the "Athletic" theme from Super Mario World, and the format quickly spawned hundreds of remixes showing the cat playing different instruments to various songs1. Multiple outlets named it the best meme of 2018, and it later evolved into key-mapping software, merchandise, and even a Steam game2.

music memes animation memes remix culture memes 2018 memes cats

Overview

Bongo Cat, a minimalist animation of a round, white, cat-like character sitting behind a surface and rhythmically slapping it with its paws. The original creator clarified it was technically a "cat-like blob" rather than an actual cat, even sharing a full-body drawing to prove it1. The meme's appeal comes from its flexibility: editors sync the paw movements to virtually any song, swap in different instruments, and create elaborate multi-layered musical performances. The character's simple design makes it easy to edit and adapt, which fueled rapid remix culture across YouTube and social media.

Origin & Background

Platform
Twitter (original GIF and remix), YouTube (viral spread)
Key People
@StrayRogue, @DitzyFlama
Date
2018

On May 7, 2018, Twitter user @StrayRogue posted a GIF of an animated cat-like blob slapping a table with its two front paws1. Fellow Twitter user @DitzyFlama replied with an edited version that added bongos under the cat's paws and synced the animation to the "Athletic" theme from Super Mario World3. The reply took off, pulling in over 3,800 retweets and 7,000 likes on Twitter3.

How It Spread

The clip jumped to YouTube on May 14, 2018, when user anon eats crayons uploaded it3. Six days later, user GarinBadger posted a full-length version of the "Athletic" bongo performance, which picked up over 61,000 views3.

From there, the remix floodgates opened. On June 7, YouTube user Kirk Keely edited the cat playing Daft Punk's "Robot Rock" on electric guitar3. By September 8, YouTuber BananaManPlays had produced a "Running in the 90s" parody, racking up over 41,000 views3. DitzyFlama kept contributing too, dropping edits for DragonForce's "Through the Fire and the Flames" and a-ha's "Take On Me"3.

The meme's adaptability made it a perfect template. Editors expanded the cat's repertoire beyond bongos to include piano, guitar, drums, and full band setups. @StrayRogue capitalized on the character's popularity by launching official Bongo Cat merchandise1. Someone even built an interactive Bongo Cat website where visitors could play along1.

Platforms

RedditTwitterTikTokDiscordInstagram

Timeline

2018-06

Meme format emerges

2019-01

Gains traction in internet circles

2020-01

Reaches peak popularity

2021-01-01

Brands and companies started using Bongo Cat in marketing

2023-01-01

Bongo Cat entered the broader pop culture conversation

2024-01

Current status in meme culture

View on Google Trends

Frequently Asked Questions

References (3)

  1. 1
    Bongo Catencyclopedia
  2. 2
    Bongo Cat - Urban Dictionarydictionary
  3. 3
    Bongo Cat - Know Your Memeencyclopedia