Few early internet videos have achieved the staying power of He-Man passionately belting out a techno remix of 4 Non Blondes’ hit song “What’s Up?”

The absurd, high-energy performance quickly became a classic example of bait-and-switch trolling and one of the foundational remix memes of the 2000s.

Even nearly two decades later, the unmistakable "HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA" remains instantly recognizable across the internet. Its influence has endured well beyond its original viral run, cementing it as one of the defining internet classics of the early viral video and YouTube era.

The meme's legacy has even extended into mainstream entertainment. The 2026 live-action Masters of the Universe film, directed by Travis Knight, includes a direct nod to the viral video, with Knight confirming that he wanted to pay tribute to a meme he had long admired.

The film also features 4 Non Blondes' "What's Up?" on its soundtrack, while cast members such as Nicholas Galitzine have jokingly recreated the famous chant during promotional appearances.

With Masters of the Universe bringing the meme back into the spotlight for a new generation, now is the perfect time to revisit the origins, history and lasting appeal of this enduring internet classic. Here's what you need to know about the classic "He-Man Sings" meme.

Where Does The 'He-Man Sings' Meme Come From?

The video was created in 2005 by two animators at Slackcircus Studios. Inspired by Eric Fensler’s G.I. Joe PSA parodies, they took footage from the 1980s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon and synced it to a campy, electronic version of 4 Non Blondes’ 1992 rock hit “What’s Up?”

On May 8th, 2005, the original video titled “Fabulous Secret Powers” was uploaded to the Something Awful forums. That same month, the creators also launched a satirical blog written from the perspective of Prince Adam. The video quickly spread to other early 2000s sites like eBaum’s World, cementing its place in early internet culture.

'He-Man Sings' Usage In Memes

The He-Man Sings video’s random humor and catchy nonsense chorus made it perfect for remixing and trolling. It is frequently used as a bait-and-switch link, similar to the "Rickroll," where users click expecting something else and are greeted by He-Man’s enthusiastic singing.

One of the most popular versions is the shortened 2010 YouTube upload simply titled “HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA,” which helped introduce the meme to a new generation and has since racked up over 200 million views in 16 years.

The video has inspired hundreds of parodies, including versions set to other songs like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” as well as modern edits, 10-hour loops and reaction videos.

The meme also inspired a wave of fan art redraws, where artists recreated the iconic scenes from the “Fabulous Secret Powers” video in new styles and featuring different characters.

How Does The 'He-Man Sings' Meme Appear In The 2026 Masters of the Universe Movie?

The 2026 live-action Masters of the Universe film, directed by Travis Knight, directly nods to the meme, meaning it's once again garnering interest online.

Director Knight, a longtime fan of the original video, confirmed they included a reference to the viral “HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA” moment. Furthermore, the actual song “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is used in the movie itself.

Cast members, including Nicholas Galitzine (who portrays He-Man himself), have also playfully recreated the chant in promotional interviews for the film.

@fallontonight And @Nicholas Galitzine said, “HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA” ✨ @mastersmovie #FallonTonight #TonightShow #NicholasGalitzine #HeMan #MastersOfTheUniverse ♬ sonido original – KDeKilo

He-Man Sings Variants and Related Memes

The success of the “He-Man Sings” video helped keep the character relevant in meme culture despite its age, leading to several spin-off series and memes using footage from the original Masters of the Universe cartoon.

He-Man's Advice

A popular related exploitable meme, called "He-Man's Advice," features He-Man giving wholesome life advice or moral lessons at the end of an episode, then riding away on Battle Cat. The format is often captioned with modern situations.

What Are Some 'He-Man Sings' Meme Examples?

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For the full history of the He-Man Sings meme, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry.