If you had asked someone in 2023 about a “low taper fade,” they’d probably describe a stylish haircut characterized by a subtle gradient of hair length that gets shorter as it approaches the neckline. But fast forward to January 2024, and this unassuming haircut became the center of a viral cultural phenomenon thanks to an unexpected source: Twitch streamer and hyperpop artist ericdoa. His offhand comment during an emotional livestream—“Imagine if Ninja got a low taper fade”—ignited a meme that would dominate TikTok, Twitter, and Twitch for months. Let’s dive into the whirlwind of this meme, its origins, and the global fascination with imagining Twitch streamers getting haircuts.
What Is a Low Taper Fade?
To understand the meme, we first need to appreciate the haircut. The low taper fade is a popular style where the hair gradually transitions from longer at the top to shorter around the sides and back, with the fade starting lower near the neck. It’s a clean, versatile cut that suits various textures and styles. The “low” in the taper fade refers to where the gradient begins, distinguishing it from mid or high taper fades, which start higher on the scalp.
While stylish, the low taper fade wasn’t exactly groundbreaking—until ericdoa gave it a moment in the spotlight with his now-famous Twitch stream.
The Birth of a Meme: Ericdoa’s Emotional Freestyle
On January 5, 2024, ericdoa went live on Twitch for what was supposed to be a routine stream. However, the mood shifted as he began freestyling about deeply personal topics, including his late grandfather who had gifted him his first guitar. Overwhelmed by emotion, ericdoa searched for a way to lighten the moment. That’s when he uttered the fateful words: “Imagine if Ninja got a low taper fade.”
The randomness of the statement, combined with the context of his heartfelt performance, struck a chord with viewers. It was absurd, yet oddly specific—a perfect recipe for meme magic.
From Twitch to TikTok: The Spread of the Low Taper Fade
The original livestream was uploaded to YouTube the next day, but it wasn’t until January 11, 2024, when ericdoa clipped the moment for TikTok, that the meme truly took off. TikTok user @sahhyameiii catalyzed its virality with a slideshow featuring Ninja (Richard Tyler Blevins), an artistic rendering of an actual ninja, and a man sporting a crisp low taper fade. The combination of visual humor and catchy audio turned the post into an instant sensation, amassing millions of views in days.
Soon, users were remixing the audio, creating parodies, and even crafting fan art depicting Ninja with the haircut. The hashtag #LowTaperFade skyrocketed, and the meme took on a life of its own.
What If Ninja Got a Low Taper Fade?
The heart of the meme lies in its absurdity. Ninja—a pale, blue-haired icon of gaming—doesn’t exactly scream “low taper fade.” His signature look is more akin to anime protagonist chic than barbershop classic. Yet this dissonance is precisely what made the idea so funny. Fans flooded social media with photoshopped images of Ninja rocking the haircut, juxtaposing his usual flamboyant aesthetic with the clean-cut, down-to-earth vibe of a low taper fade.
The internet’s imagination didn’t stop there. The phrase “What if Ninja got a low taper fade?” inspired hyperpop lyrics, mock debates about the cultural implications of such a haircut, and even 3D renderings of Ninja with various fade styles.
The Meme Within the Meme: Ninja’s Reaction
As the meme gained traction, Ninja himself couldn’t resist addressing it. Initially, he seemed amused, referencing the low taper fade in his streams and social media posts. But as weeks turned into months, his frequent callbacks to the meme began to wear thin for some fans. Parodies of Ninja “milking” the joke started to circulate, with one TikTok overlaying his commentary with text like, “Bro is still dragging the low taper fade.”
One particular clip from Ninja’s stream became infamous: “Low taper fade. You know what’s crazy? Is that that low taper fade meme is like… Dude, it is still massive. Massive. I mean, I’ve seen new ones that I’ve never seen before that have like millions of likes and views still that are like popping off all over the place.”
This spawned the “Low Taper Fade Meme is Still Massive” copypasta, cementing Ninja’s over-enthusiasm as part of the joke. Fans began mocking his fixation, creating parody videos imagining him reminiscing about the meme decades later.
Imagine If ‘Imagine If Ninja Got a Low Taper Fade’ Became a Meme
By late January, the meme had achieved peak virality. Beyond Ninja, the concept of Twitch streamers getting unexpected haircuts became a broader trend. From imagining Pokimane with a mullet to Dr Disrespect rocking cornrows, the internet reveled in reimagining its favorite personalities with radically different hairstyles. The phrase “Imagine if [Streamer] got a [Haircut]” became a meme template, generating endless variations.
Fan art also exploded, with artists depicting not just Ninja but also fictional characters like Mario, Sonic, and even Darth Vader with low taper fades. The meme transcended its origins, becoming a creative playground for internet humor.
The Cultural Significance of the Low Taper Fade
While the meme is undeniably hilarious, it also speaks to the internet’s ability to find humor in the mundane. A haircut as ordinary as the low taper fade became a global phenomenon simply because of the right combination of timing, context, and absurdity.
Moreover, the meme highlighted the blurring lines between gaming, music, and internet culture. Ericdoa’s offhand remark connected Twitch, TikTok, and fan art communities in a way that felt organic and universal.
Distraction and Catharsis
In many ways, the low taper fade meme served as a collective distraction. In a world where headlines are often bleak, the thought of Ninja getting a haircut became a comforting absurdity. It reminded people that sometimes, it’s okay to laugh at something silly and meaningless.
As ericdoa later reflected in an interview, the line wasn’t just a joke—it was a way to lighten a heavy moment. “It was the funniest thing I could think of,” he said. “And I guess it was funny enough to go viral.”
The Legacy of the Low Taper Fade
While most memes fade into obscurity, the low taper fade lives on as a testament to the internet’s unpredictability. Its rise and fall were swift, but its impact lingered. For months, Google searches for “low taper fade” surged, and barbers reported an uptick in requests for the haircut.
More importantly, the meme left a mark on internet culture. It reminded us that even the most random comment—uttered in the middle of a Twitch stream—can spark a global phenomenon. And who knows? Maybe one day, Ninja really will get a low taper fade. If he does, the internet will undoubtedly lose its collective mind once again.