Harvard student Amin Toofani went viral with an incredible acoustic guitar performance at the university that captivated everyone. His original piece, “Gratitude,” created quite a stir, thanks in part to his unique style and playful approach. Toofani initially trolled the audience by awkwardly strumming his guitar before flipping it around and launching into a stunning flamenco performance.
With the confidence that comes from years of practice, Toofani dazzled the crowd by blending classical guitar and folk music, infused with a touch of humor. He had the audience clapping and cheering, even humorously combing his hair mid-performance.
Uploaded to YouTube on February 18, 2016, Toofani’s show-stopping recital has since garnered over 31 million views, showcasing his extraordinary talent and performance style. His viral moment inspired countless covers and analysis videos, making him a sensation online.
Viewers couldn’t help but comment on his impressive skills, with some saying, “This guy is the cool version of us who only exists in our mind,” and “The guitar itself didn’t know it could be played like this.” “Gratitude” became Toofani’s signature piece, which he also performed after his speech at TEDx San Francisco.
Despite his viral fame, Toofani chose a different path and is now the CEO of T Labs and the Chair for Finance & Economics at the NASA-affiliated Singularity University. On his website, he humorously reflects on his unexpected YouTube success, noting, “Last time I checked, Google Search ranked me as the world’s best guitar player. This is incredibly inaccurate and bemusing. But it has also made me a ton of new friends from around the world, for which I’m grateful.”