Big Congrats to YouTube Superstar Tay Zonday

New 'Cherry Chocolate Rain' Remix Pushes Dr Pepper Like most people who were forwarded a link for Tay Zonday's "Chocolate Rain" video in April, I was completely entranced. Mystified, even. I was dying to know: who was this baby-faced baritone? Was he even really singing? What exactly was "Chocolate Rain"?"And, most importantly, how old was he and why was he really moving away from the mike? As the mystery unraveled, spinoffs and covers abounded, and like all things viral, most were even better than the original.

Now Ph.D. candidate Adam Nyerere Bahner, aka Tay Zonday, is back with a new iteration, a (slightly) remixed version of the ditty, guest-starring rapper Mista Johnson. It's also a viral ad for Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper.

Cue the collective groan.

Of course, it's awesome to think that the seemingly insignificant vid you shot in your Mom's basement might land you a killer endorsement deal, it's also always annoying to see anyone, from the internet or otherwise, sell out. I will admit though, it is pretty sweet when T-A-Y to the Z growls, "This is the Web. And it's going to murder your TV."

Watch the video and some of the coolest spoofs -- and vote for the next internet sensation likely to cash in with an advertising tie-in -- after the jump.


Tay Zonday's latest version of "Chocolate Rain." Check out those new threads! And the cherry scene on the couch! Scandalous, since T still looks about 13. He's actually 25.


Everyone's favorite grocery store manager -- Chad Vader, the fumbly younger brother of Lord Vader -- takes a stab at the classic. Weekend double shifts are killing us too, Chad.


The 8-bit version, with the digitized soundtrack, is just too good. It's practically worth making "Chocolate Rain" your ringtone (again).


Dramatic Chipmunk clip spliced with "Chocolate Rain." Short n' sweet, and a must-see.



Source [Wired]