00:00Nothing takes priority over chocolate rain."
00:03At first glance, Chocolate Rain seemed like an eccentric, catchy tune,
00:07but beneath the quirky delivery, the song carried a profound message.
00:10In a 2021 interview, Tay described the song as an allegory for systemic racial injustice.
00:15Lines like,
00:16"'The same crime has a higher price to pay'
00:17highlight the inequalities that persist in modern society."
00:20Despite its serious undertone, the song's deeper meaning was often
00:24overshadowed by the humor of its presentation.
00:26As a self-described introvert with autism spectrum disorder,
00:29Zonday was unprepared for the overwhelming attention.
00:32While he embraced the opportunities that came with fame,
00:34including sharing a commercial with Beyoncé during a 2010 Super Bowl,
00:38he also struggled with the pressure of public scrutiny.
00:41In his words, the experience felt like
00:42"...a kayak carried forward by a fast-flowing current."
00:45Today, Tay Zonday is a nostalgic icon from the early internet era,
00:48but he's embraced a quieter, more personal creative path.
00:52Over the years, Zonday has pursued voice acting,
00:54lending his voice to Gemusetu Machu Picchu, an adult twin project.
00:58He also dabbled in Twitch streaming,
00:59playing video games under the handle Tay Zonday for his 40,000 followers.
01:03Zonday continues to post content on YouTube,
01:06though far less frequently than he did during his peak.
01:08To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Chocolate Rain,
01:10he posted a remastered version of the song in 2015,
01:13reminding fans of his enduring legacy.
01:16"...chocolate rain, some stay dry and others feel the pain."
01:22Nearly two decades after Chocolate Rain,
01:24Tay Zonday remains a beloved figure in internet history.
01:27His song, once a viral joke, is now viewed as ahead of its time.
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