Ladies and gentlemen, prepare your paws for applause because today, we’re unraveling the mysteries behind one of the internet’s most beloved feline sensations: CatJAM! Whether you’ve been on Twitch for a while or you’re just dipping your toes into the world of streaming, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the infectiously rhythmic CatJAM emote
. This little digital kitty has taken the internet by storm, leaving many wondering about its origins and how it became a staple on Twitch and beyond. Grab your favorite catnip-infused snack and buckle in, as we take you on a journey through the tale of Minette, the adorable feline star who turned a simple TikTok video into a viral phenomenon.
Where did catJAM come from?
CatJAM, the popular Twitch emote, originated from a TikTok video posted by Mick Lagi in April 2020. The video featured his friend’s cat, Minette, seemingly nodding her head to the beat of music, specifically I wanna Dance by Jonas Blue. Unbeknownst to Lagi, this seemingly random video would quickly gain traction on the internet, turning Minette into a viral sensation. The video was transformed into the CatJAM emote on Twitch, which has since been used on over 12,600 channels, including those of prominent streamers like xQc and Tyler1. The phenomenon continued to evolve, giving rise to the Vibing Cat meme and, eventually, the Cat Vibing to Street Musician’s Ievan Polkka meme.
When did catJam get on Twitch?
CatJAM made its way onto Twitch after the original TikTok video featuring Minette gained widespread attention, particularly when notable Twitch streamers like xQc and Tyler1 started using the head-bobbing cat in their streams. As the emote’s popularity grew, there was a demand to make it more accessible for other Twitch users.
On July 24th, 2020, MadLittleCat uploaded the animated CatJAM emote to BetterTTV (BTTV), a popular third-party extension that allows Twitch users to add custom emotes to their channels. This made it easier for streamers and viewers to use the CatJAM emote on the platform. Additionally, an FFZ (FrankerFaceZ) version of the emote was uploaded by Erkkthebeast on January 20th, 2021, but since it was not animated, it didn’t gain as much popularity as the BTTV version.
The widespread use of the CatJAM emote by prominent streamers, along with its availability on BTTV and FFZ, contributed to its meteoric rise on Twitch and its adoption by the platform’s community.
What does catJAM mean?
CatJAM is an emote that represents a cat bobbing its head to the rhythm of music or a beat. It has become a symbol of enjoyment, particularly in response to music or entertaining content. On Twitch and other platforms, users typically employ the CatJAM emote when they are vibing with the music being played, appreciating a streamer’s performance or gameplay, or simply enjoying a humorous or engaging moment on the stream.
While the specific meaning of the emote can be open to interpretation, it is generally used to convey a sense of enthusiasm, amusement, or approval of the content being watched.
Or to put it in a simpler way, when someone is just vibing to the moment.
catJam variations
