Smash Mouth Singer Retires After Viral TikTok Video Shows Concert Chaos

BY Erika Marie 9.6K Views
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Steve Harwell
Steve Harwell looked disoriented, threatened the audience, and slurred his words. His rep says the singer has been struggling with his health.

Another TikTok video has spelled disaster for a musician after going viral. In recent days, a woman posted a clip to TikTok where she explained that she went to her town's local wine and beer festival. The event hosted a performance by Smash Mouth, the late 1990s to early 2000s Rock-Pop band that gave us hits like "All Star" and Shrek's famed "I'm a Believer."

The group's classics have continued to be staples for DJs around the world, but this beer and wine festival was "chaotic," according to the TikToker. In her video, Smash Mouth lead singer Steve Harwell looked to be intoxicated and did not seem to be into the performance at all.

He stumbled around the stage, yelled expletives at the audience, threw around a few threats, at one point stopped performing altogether, and looked to give the Nazi salute. The video caused a wave of backlash and later, Harwell's representative surfaced with an explanation. The singer was reportedly diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and acute Wernicke encephalopathy, affecting his speech, memory, and motor functions.

“Despite Steve’s best efforts to work through these ailments, he is heartbroken to share that it has become impossible for him to continue doing what he loves most, performing in front of the band’s millions of fans around the world,” his rep said. “Steve has been dealing with long-term medical issues over the last eight years and during his last performance at the Big Sip stage, he suffered numerous symptoms directly linked with his current medical situation."

“As of today, Steve will be retiring from Smash Mouth to focus on his physical and mental health.” Watch the TikTok video below.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.