Andrew Tate "Breathe Air" Sound Effect: The Viral Meme Explained

The "Andrew Tate Breathe Air" sound bite has become a wildly viral meme across social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter. But where did this aggressive rant telling people to "breathe air" come from, and why has it struck such a chord? This comprehensive guide will delve into the origins of the meme, its significance, how to download the sound effect, and the complex ethics of internet virality.

Who is Andrew Tate? Unpacking His Toxic Online Persona

To understand the meme, it helps to dive deeper into the controversial public persona of Andrew Tate. Tate is a British-American former kickboxer who has reinvented himself as an "influencer" spreading dangerous ideology across social media.

He first gained notoriety on the reality TV show Big Brother in 2016, where he was removed for misogynistic behavior. Since then, he has exploded in popularity among young male audiences by promoting toxic masculinity, misogyny, and homophobia.

Tate spreads disturbing messages like "women belong in the home," makes false claims aboutCovid-19, and runs an online "university" teaching questionable money-making schemes. He‘s been banned from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube at various times for violating community guidelines against hate speech, but inevitably pops back up with new accounts.

Most alarmingly, Tate is reportedly under investigation by Romanian authorities over allegations of human trafficking and running a webcam sex ring – claims he vehemently denies.

Tate‘s Online Influence Spreads Like Wildfire

Despite the severe backlash and bans, Andrew Tate‘s online influence has spread like wildfire. His fame skyrocketed in mid-2022, with search volume for his name rising by over 5,000% in June.

Videos with the #AndrewTate hashtag have over 13 billion views on TikTok. His content resonates strongly with young men by depicting an intoxicating caricature of wealth and toxic masculinity.

Impressionable male audiences are particularly vulnerable to radicalization from Tate‘s worldview. Experts compare his grooming tactics to extremist groups appealing to disenfranchised men.

The Original Andrew Tate "Breathe Air" Video

The now infamous "breathe air" sound effect comes from a rant video Andrew Tate filmed criticizing vaping. In his trademark aggressive style, he yells:

"If you‘re so stupid, it didn‘t cross your mind at some point that permanently sucking on this vape was going to damage you in some way, you deserve what happens to your dumbass."

He continues:

"Breathe air! You don‘t need a vape. Have you ever seen anyone with a vape? Have you ever sat in a room and someone goes, my vape‘s done charging?"

This short segment has gone hugely viral across TikTok, Twitter and Instagram Reels. It‘s often used in videos mocking or calling out Tate‘s dangerous opinions and alleged behavior.

Using Tate‘s Own Words Against Him

The "breathe air" meme has become a way for critics to push back using Tate‘s own voice. The aggressive tone encapsulates the deep disdain many have for his misogynistic worldview.

TikTokers pair the sound with reaction shots calling out perceived hypocrisy. The meme blew up as Tate‘s presence – and controversies – surged on social media. For youth opposing his beliefs, it offers an ironic way to drown out his hatred with mockery.

According to data from TikTok analytics site HypeAuditor, the "AndrewTateBreatheAir" sound was the 5th most popular on TikTok in September 2022. It‘s been used in over 77,000 videos amounting to over 2 billion views.

The meme also spread rapidly on Twitter, where users shared mocking jokes about the sound. The virality highlights how short audio clips so easily get divorced from their original context online.

Viral Sounds Are Engagement Goldmines

Part of why "breathe air" has spread so far is because viral sounds are engagement goldmines on social media. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts make audio memes intrinsically easy to reuse.

Short-form video formats are dominated by trends where the same sounds get repurposed in endless creative ways. Using popular sounds is a common tactic for getting more viewership.

The algorithmic recommendation engines pick up on patterns and surface videos using sounds gaining momentum. This creates a self-perpetuating social trend, as more views incentive people to make their own versions.

According to a Buzzfeed analysis, a TikTok video is 50% more likely to have a high number of views if it uses a trending sound. The app‘s UI makes riding audio trends frictionless.

So beyond any meaning, people are economically motivated to capitalize on whatever sounds shoot up the popularity charts.

Memes Spread Organically, But Responsibly

Virality often spreads these audio trends organically without centralized coordination. However, ethically participating in meme culture matters.

With a controversial figure like Andrew Tate, there‘s an argument that any amplification spreads his reach, even through mockery. How do we balance condemning harmful ideologies while avoiding giving them oxygen?

These are nuanced issues without simple solutions. But we can make mindful choices about how we engage with sounds that encode complex subtext.

Step-by-Step: Downloading the Viral Sound Effect

To use the infamous "Andrew Tate Breathe Air" sound for your own TikToks, Reels or YouTube Shorts, follow these simple steps:

Download the MP3 Audio File

First, download the high-quality MP3 file of the segment here.

The direct download will save the sound effect to your device as andrew-tate-breathe-air_1.mp3. MP3 is a common compressed audio format supported across platforms.

Fig 1. Downloading the MP3 sound file

Add Audio to Your Platform

Next, open the social media app to add the sound effect. The process differs slightly for each one:

• TikTok: Tap the + icon > Sounds icon > My Sounds > Import sound
• Instagram Reels: Story camera > Music icon > Audio browser > Your audio
• YouTube Shorts: From camera, tap Sounds > Upload > Select MP3 file

Once uploaded, you can access the sound in your audio browser on each platform.

Use in Your Video

Now when making a video, select the "Andrew Tate Breathe Air" sound to have it play over the clip! Get creative remixing the meme in your own style.

The audio becomes attributed to your account once uploaded. Make sure to follow each app‘s rules and properly credit the clip in descriptions.

Fig 2. TikTok video utilizing the viral sound effect

With great memes comes great responsibility. While viral sounds can get big engagement, be thoughtful about broader impacts.

The Complex Ethics of Internet Virality

The Andrew Tate meme highlights complex ethical questions when participating in viral internet content:

• Should we avoid amplifying voices we disagree with, even to mock them?
• Does irony still indirectly spread hate by extending reach?
• What responsibility do platforms have in moderating trending offensive content?
• How does algorithmic recommendation impact virality?
• What are the psychological effects on young audiences from exposure?

According to research by Media Matters, over a third of TikToks using Andrew Tate audios contain no condemnation or counterspeech. Data shows even neutral uses spread his reach.

Content warning labels have appeared on some Tate-related sounds. But platforms tend to act reactively to curb harmful viral trends.

As users, we can be more proactive. Before participating, consider: Does this meme distract from Tate‘s dangerous ideologies? Does my video counter them meaningfully? What ideas does it ultimately amplify?

Responsible remixing requires actively countering hate, not just ironic mimicry. With care, witty mockery can provide powerful counterspeech against bigotry. But flippant engagement risks unintended consequences.

Conclusion: Memes Come and Go, Critical Thinking Endures

Viral sounds naturally ebb and flow in ephemeral Internet cultures. But the impacts of how we engage with media echo further. Thinking critically about the voices we amplify – and why – remains crucial.

We can uphold ethics amidst the chaotic spread of meme content. Seek beyond entertainment and clout. When participating thoughtfully, we have opportunity to push progress, not hate.

Andrew Tate‘s wave of virality will someday crest, but the choice to build more just virtual spaces continues. With care, our collective impact outweighs any single meme.