ss BREAKING NEWS: A viral video shared by former MSNBC host Joy Reid has stunned the public after the familiar song “Happy New Year” was suddenly labeled as “racist.” According to the claims in the video, the song was allegedly written to mock Black people — a shocking accusation that has ignited a fierce online culture war just as the New Year begins, leaving the internet deeply divided and demanding answers
In a stunning development just days before the world rings in 2026, former MSNBC host Joy Reid has ignited a fierce online debate by sharing a viral video that claims the iconic New Year’s anthem “Happy New Year” – most famously performed by ABBA – has deeply racist origins.
The video, which has amassed millions of views across social media platforms in mere hours, alleges that the song was originally composed as a subtle mockery of Black people, portraying them in stereotypical and derogatory ways during celebrations.
Reid, known for her outspoken commentary on race and culture, reposted the clip to her substantial following on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), captioning it with a simple yet provocative: “Another holiday classic with a hidden history we can’t ignore.
American (and global) traditions are built on layers we need to unpack.” The video features a historian standing in front of a plaque commemorating the song’s creation, dramatically revealing purported evidence that the lyrics and melody were designed to caricature Black communities attempting to partake in New Year’s festivities in a “proper” manner.
According to the viral clip, the song’s origins trace back to early 20th-century performances where white entertainers allegedly used it in minstrel-style shows to lampoon Black people’s aspirations for joy and renewal at the turn of the year.
“The upbeat tempo and cheerful lyrics were a veil for ridicule,” the narrator intones solemnly, “mocking the idea that Black folks could truly experience a ‘happy’ new beginning in a society that denied them basic rights.” The video points to obscure archival footage and sheet music annotations as “proof,” claiming the song’s global popularity, especially ABBA’s 1980 hit version, has “whitewashed” these troubling roots.
The backlash was immediate and explosive. Within hours of Reid’s share, #CancelHappyNewYear began trending worldwide, alongside #DefendNewYearTraditions.
Progressive activists praised Reid for “bravely exposing the uncomfortable truths behind our celebrations,” with one prominent influencer tweeting: “Joy Reid is doing the work again! We can’t keep singing songs that punch down on marginalized communities. Time to retire this one.”
On the other side, conservatives and traditionalists decried the claim as the latest salvo in an endless “woke” assault on harmless holiday cheer.
Fox News commentator Sean Hannity devoted a segment to the controversy, thundering: “First they came for Christmas carols, now New Year’s Eve? Joy Reid and her ilk won’t stop until every song, every tradition, every moment of joy is labeled ‘problematic.’ Enough is enough!” Social media users flooded platforms with memes of ABBA members in confusion, alongside defiant videos of people blasting the song at full volume while toasting champagne.
Celebrities quickly weighed in, amplifying the divide. Rapper and activist Killer Mike posted in support of Reid: “If the history is there, we gotta face it. Doesn’t mean we hate the song, but knowledge is power.” Meanwhile, country star Jason Aldean fired back: “This is ridiculous.
‘Happy New Year’ is about hope and fresh starts for EVERYONE. Leave our music alone!”
The controversy has spilled over into real-world implications. Several radio stations in major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have reportedly pulled ABBA’s “Happy New Year” from their holiday playlists “out of an abundance of caution,” citing listener complaints.
Party planners for high-profile New Year’s Eve events are scrambling, with one Times Square organizer telling reporters anonymously: “We’re sticking with ‘Auld Lang Syne’ – that’s safe, right?”
Experts are divided on the claims. Music historian Dr. Elena Vargas from Harvard University told GNN: “While ABBA’s version is innocuous and celebratory, digging into folk traditions that influenced similar songs reveals patterns of cultural appropriation and mockery in earlier eras.
It’s worth discussing.” Countering this, pop culture analyst Mark Thompson argued: “This is revisionist history at its worst. The song is Swedish disco magic about universal human hope. Attributing racist intent is a stretch that diminishes real struggles.”
As the clock ticks toward midnight on December 31st, the online culture war shows no signs of abating. Hashtags related to the story have garnered over 500 million impressions, with users sharing personal stories of how the song has soundtracked their family gatherings for decades.
One viral thread reads: “My Black grandmother played ABBA every New Year’s. She found joy in it despite everything. Calling it racist erases her agency.”
Reid herself has remained active in the fray, responding to critics with: “Questioning history isn’t canceling joy – it’s enriching our understanding so we can build better traditions.” Her post has fueled further debate, with some accusing her of “grifting off outrage” following her departure from MSNBC earlier this year.
This isn’t the first time holiday music has faced scrutiny for alleged hidden meanings. Recent years have seen debates over classics like “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” for consent issues and other tunes for colonial undertones.
But the timing of this accusation – mere days before global New Year’s celebrations – has elevated it to a flashpoint in ongoing cultural reckonings.
As families around the world prepare fireworks, countdowns, and toasts, many are left wondering: Will “Happy New Year” survive the night as a staple, or will 2026 mark the beginning of its controversial fade? One thing is clear: In an era of viral truths and counter-truths, even the most innocent melodies can become battlegrounds.
Whatever side you’re on, as the ball drops in Times Square and revelers shout cheers worldwide, the soundtrack might just sound a little different this year. Happy New Year – or is it?
