Hide Yo Kids

2010Viral video / catchphrase / Auto-Tune remixclassic

Also known as: Bed Intruder Song · Bed Intruder · Hide Yo Wife

"Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wife" is a viral catchphrase from a 2010 local news interview with Antoine Dodson, a resident of the Lincoln Park housing projects in Huntsville, Alabama, who passionately warned his neighbors about an alleged home intruder. The interview clip became one of the biggest memes of 2010 after The Gregory Brothers turned it into the "Bed Intruder Song," an Auto-Tuned remix that hit the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 250,000 copies on iTunes1.

news remix memeshuntsville alabama memesman on the street memesauto tune memesboxing memes

Overview

The meme centers on Antoine Dodson's July 2010 television interview, in which he addressed the camera directly after an alleged intruder broke into his sister's bedroom at the Lincoln Park housing projects. Dodson's delivery was intense, animated, and quotable, producing lines like "Hide yo kids, hide yo wife, and hide yo husband too, 'cause they rapin' everybody out here" and "You are so dumb, you are really dumb, for real"1. The raw emotional energy of the clip, combined with Dodson's flamboyant style and direct-to-camera warnings, made it instantly shareable. The Gregory Brothers then transformed the interview into the "Bed Intruder Song" using Auto-Tune, turning a local crime report into a genuinely catchy pop track1.

On July 28, 2010, reporter Elizabeth Gentle of NBC affiliate WAFF-48 in Huntsville, Alabama interviewed Antoine Dodson after an alleged intruder attempted to assault his sister in her second-story bedroom at the Lincoln Park housing projects1. Dodson spoke directly into the camera with a passionate, vernacular-heavy warning to both his neighbors and the alleged attacker. The alleged intruder was later identified as Rashaad Cooper, though he was never charged for the incident at the time1.

The interview aired on local news and was uploaded to YouTube, where Dodson's animated delivery caught fire. Some local viewers complained to WAFF-48 that broadcasting interviews like Dodson's reflected poorly on the community, but the station defended its decision, saying that censoring people would be worse1. Jonathan Capehart of The Washington Post praised Dodson as an instant internet sensation, writing that "in this age of fake reality TV, he puts the real in reality"1.

Origin & Background

Platform
WAFF-48 News (local TV broadcast), YouTube (viral spread)
Key People
Antoine Dodson, The Gregory Brothers, Elizabeth Gentle
Date
2010

On July 28, 2010, reporter Elizabeth Gentle of NBC affiliate WAFF-48 in Huntsville, Alabama interviewed Antoine Dodson after an alleged intruder attempted to assault his sister in her second-story bedroom at the Lincoln Park housing projects1. Dodson spoke directly into the camera with a passionate, vernacular-heavy warning to both his neighbors and the alleged attacker. The alleged intruder was later identified as Rashaad Cooper, though he was never charged for the incident at the time1.

The interview aired on local news and was uploaded to YouTube, where Dodson's animated delivery caught fire. Some local viewers complained to WAFF-48 that broadcasting interviews like Dodson's reflected poorly on the community, but the station defended its decision, saying that censoring people would be worse1. Jonathan Capehart of The Washington Post praised Dodson as an instant internet sensation, writing that "in this age of fake reality TV, he puts the real in reality"1.

How It Spread

The original news clip spread rapidly on YouTube in late July and August 2010. The Gregory Brothers, already known for their "Auto-Tune the News" series, released the "Bed Intruder Song" remix, which turned Dodson's interview into a polished musical track. The song climbed to number 89 on Billboard's Hot 100 list1. By August 31, 2010, when Dodson appeared on NBC's Today Show, the video had already been viewed more than 16 million times, with hosts calling it "one of the most watched online videos ever"1.

The remix inspired its own wave of covers, including a punk rock version created by Hayley Williams of Paramore, Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory, Ethan Luck of Relient K, and musician Tony Lucca1. Dodson appeared on radio shows in Australia, built a fanbase in London, and became widely recognized in Huntsville1.

By September 2010, The Gregory Brothers reported selling more than 250,000 copies of the "Bed Intruder Song" on iTunes1. Excluding major-label music videos, it was the most viewed YouTube video of 20101. The catchphrase "Hide yo kids, hide yo wife" spread across forums, social media, and everyday conversation, becoming shorthand for any situation where someone should be on high alert2.

Platforms

RedditTwitterTikTokInstagram

Timeline

2010

Hide Yo Kids first appears online

2010

Gains traction on social media

2011

Reaches peak popularity

2012-01-01

Hide Yo Kids reached mainstream popularity and media coverage

2013-01-01

Brands and companies started using Hide Yo Kids in marketing

2015-01-01

Hide Yo Kids entered the broader pop culture conversation

View on Google Trends

How to Use This Meme

The catchphrase "Hide yo kids, hide yo wife" is typically used to warn about an incoming threat, often humorously exaggerated. Common usage includes:

1

Responding to any news about a threat, danger, or incoming problem with the full quote or a shortened version

2

Quoting "You are so dumb, you are really dumb, for real" as a reaction to someone's foolish behavior

3

Using "Run and tell that" as a call to spread information

4

Referencing the Auto-Tuned melody in conversation or singing the chorus

Create Your Own

Cultural Impact

The "Bed Intruder Song" won "Meme of the Year" at the 2010 Urlies, taking both the People's Choice and Editors' Choice awards, while the original interview clip won "Video of the Year" in the People's Choice category1.

Dodson performed the "Bed Intruder Song" live with Michael Gregory of The Gregory Brothers at the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards in October 20101. He appeared on Lopez Tonight singing a "Chimney Intruder" parody about Santa Claus, and on Tosh.0 for a "Web Redemption" segment1. In late December 2010, he was featured in a Tosh.0 season commercial1.

The meme crossed into scripted television. On The Cleveland Show, the episode "Dancing with the Stools" referenced Dodson when the character Roberta entered wearing his signature bandana and quoted "you are so dumb, you are really dumb, for real." In another episode, "B.M.O.C.," Roberta listed "'Hide your kids, hide your wife' didn't go to college" when naming famous people without degrees1. Korean-American singer Jay Park also mimicked Dodson in an episode of Jay Park TV1.

The financial impact was significant. Revenue from iTunes sales, merchandise, and donations helped Dodson's family move out of the Lincoln Park projects by September 20101. He launched a website soliciting donations and set up a foundation for Type 1 diabetes, which affected both his sister and mother1. In August 2010, Dodson noted the irony of having "a hit on iTunes, but we're still in the projects," though that changed within a month1.

Dodson parlayed his fame into multiple business ventures: a T-shirt line, a licensed "Bed Intruder Costume" for Halloween 2010, a "Sex Offender Tracker" smartphone app endorsement, and a reality show pilot announced in January 20111. In November 2014, he fought the alleged intruder Rashaad Cooper in a celebrity boxing match hosted by Kato Kaelin, winning in the first round1. In September 2022, he announced plans to launch a beer called "Run N' Tell That" with Huntsville brewery Straight to Ale1.

The meme also sparked debate about race, class, and media representation. The clip originated from a real crime report, and the humor derived from Dodson's delivery raised questions about laughing at or with people from marginalized communities. Capehart's Washington Post editorial positioned Dodson as "one of the strongest people we've seen in a while," pushing back against the idea that the meme was purely mockery1.

Fun Facts

Dodson grew up in Chicago and moved to Huntsville in 2004, where he attended Virginia College and worked as a hairstylist1.

The alleged intruder Rashaad Cooper was never charged by police based on the Dodsons' report, and he later contradicted their account of the incident1.

Dodson and Cooper eventually faced off in a 2014 celebrity boxing match, with Dodson winning in the first round1.

In January 2011, MSN announced Dodson was filming a reality show pilot about his family's move from Huntsville to Los Angeles1.

The "Bed Intruder Song" was the most viewed non-major-label music video on YouTube for all of 20101.

Derivatives & Variations

Bed Intruder Song

— The Gregory Brothers' Auto-Tune remix that reached #89 on Billboard's Hot 100 and sold 250,000+ copies on iTunes[1]

Punk Rock Cover

— A version by Hayley Williams (Paramore), Jordan Pundik (New Found Glory), Ethan Luck (Relient K), and Tony Lucca[1]

Chimney Intruder Song

— A Christmas-themed parody Dodson performed on Lopez Tonight about Santa Claus[1]

Bed Intruder Costume

— A licensed Halloween costume created by entrepreneur Fam Mirza for Halloween 2010[1]

"Run N' Tell That" Beer

— A craft beer collaboration between Dodson and Huntsville brewery Straight to Ale, announced in 2022[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

References (2)

  1. 1
    Antoine Dodsonencyclopedia
  2. 2
    Hide Yo Kids - Urban Dictionarydictionary

Hide Yo Kids

2010Viral video / catchphrase / Auto-Tune remixclassic

Also known as: Bed Intruder Song · Bed Intruder · Hide Yo Wife

"Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wife" is a viral catchphrase from a 2010 local news interview with Antoine Dodson, a resident of the Lincoln Park housing projects in Huntsville, Alabama, who passionately warned his neighbors about an alleged home intruder. The interview clip became one of the biggest memes of 2010 after The Gregory Brothers turned it into the "Bed Intruder Song," an Auto-Tuned remix that hit the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 250,000 copies on iTunes1.

news remix memes huntsville alabama memes man on the street memes auto tune memes boxing memes

Overview

The meme centers on Antoine Dodson's July 2010 television interview, in which he addressed the camera directly after an alleged intruder broke into his sister's bedroom at the Lincoln Park housing projects. Dodson's delivery was intense, animated, and quotable, producing lines like "Hide yo kids, hide yo wife, and hide yo husband too, 'cause they rapin' everybody out here" and "You are so dumb, you are really dumb, for real"1. The raw emotional energy of the clip, combined with Dodson's flamboyant style and direct-to-camera warnings, made it instantly shareable. The Gregory Brothers then transformed the interview into the "Bed Intruder Song" using Auto-Tune, turning a local crime report into a genuinely catchy pop track1.

On July 28, 2010, reporter Elizabeth Gentle of NBC affiliate WAFF-48 in Huntsville, Alabama interviewed Antoine Dodson after an alleged intruder attempted to assault his sister in her second-story bedroom at the Lincoln Park housing projects1. Dodson spoke directly into the camera with a passionate, vernacular-heavy warning to both his neighbors and the alleged attacker. The alleged intruder was later identified as Rashaad Cooper, though he was never charged for the incident at the time1.

The interview aired on local news and was uploaded to YouTube, where Dodson's animated delivery caught fire. Some local viewers complained to WAFF-48 that broadcasting interviews like Dodson's reflected poorly on the community, but the station defended its decision, saying that censoring people would be worse1. Jonathan Capehart of The Washington Post praised Dodson as an instant internet sensation, writing that "in this age of fake reality TV, he puts the real in reality"1.

Origin & Background

Platform
WAFF-48 News (local TV broadcast), YouTube (viral spread)
Key People
Antoine Dodson, The Gregory Brothers, Elizabeth Gentle
Date
2010

On July 28, 2010, reporter Elizabeth Gentle of NBC affiliate WAFF-48 in Huntsville, Alabama interviewed Antoine Dodson after an alleged intruder attempted to assault his sister in her second-story bedroom at the Lincoln Park housing projects1. Dodson spoke directly into the camera with a passionate, vernacular-heavy warning to both his neighbors and the alleged attacker. The alleged intruder was later identified as Rashaad Cooper, though he was never charged for the incident at the time1.

The interview aired on local news and was uploaded to YouTube, where Dodson's animated delivery caught fire. Some local viewers complained to WAFF-48 that broadcasting interviews like Dodson's reflected poorly on the community, but the station defended its decision, saying that censoring people would be worse1. Jonathan Capehart of The Washington Post praised Dodson as an instant internet sensation, writing that "in this age of fake reality TV, he puts the real in reality"1.

How It Spread

The original news clip spread rapidly on YouTube in late July and August 2010. The Gregory Brothers, already known for their "Auto-Tune the News" series, released the "Bed Intruder Song" remix, which turned Dodson's interview into a polished musical track. The song climbed to number 89 on Billboard's Hot 100 list1. By August 31, 2010, when Dodson appeared on NBC's Today Show, the video had already been viewed more than 16 million times, with hosts calling it "one of the most watched online videos ever"1.

The remix inspired its own wave of covers, including a punk rock version created by Hayley Williams of Paramore, Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory, Ethan Luck of Relient K, and musician Tony Lucca1. Dodson appeared on radio shows in Australia, built a fanbase in London, and became widely recognized in Huntsville1.

By September 2010, The Gregory Brothers reported selling more than 250,000 copies of the "Bed Intruder Song" on iTunes1. Excluding major-label music videos, it was the most viewed YouTube video of 20101. The catchphrase "Hide yo kids, hide yo wife" spread across forums, social media, and everyday conversation, becoming shorthand for any situation where someone should be on high alert2.

Platforms

RedditTwitterTikTokInstagram

Timeline

2010

Hide Yo Kids first appears online

2010

Gains traction on social media

2011

Reaches peak popularity

2012-01-01

Hide Yo Kids reached mainstream popularity and media coverage

2013-01-01

Brands and companies started using Hide Yo Kids in marketing

2015-01-01

Hide Yo Kids entered the broader pop culture conversation

View on Google Trends

How to Use This Meme

The catchphrase "Hide yo kids, hide yo wife" is typically used to warn about an incoming threat, often humorously exaggerated. Common usage includes:

1

Responding to any news about a threat, danger, or incoming problem with the full quote or a shortened version

2

Quoting "You are so dumb, you are really dumb, for real" as a reaction to someone's foolish behavior

3

Using "Run and tell that" as a call to spread information

4

Referencing the Auto-Tuned melody in conversation or singing the chorus

Create Your Own

Cultural Impact

The "Bed Intruder Song" won "Meme of the Year" at the 2010 Urlies, taking both the People's Choice and Editors' Choice awards, while the original interview clip won "Video of the Year" in the People's Choice category1.

Dodson performed the "Bed Intruder Song" live with Michael Gregory of The Gregory Brothers at the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards in October 20101. He appeared on Lopez Tonight singing a "Chimney Intruder" parody about Santa Claus, and on Tosh.0 for a "Web Redemption" segment1. In late December 2010, he was featured in a Tosh.0 season commercial1.

The meme crossed into scripted television. On The Cleveland Show, the episode "Dancing with the Stools" referenced Dodson when the character Roberta entered wearing his signature bandana and quoted "you are so dumb, you are really dumb, for real." In another episode, "B.M.O.C.," Roberta listed "'Hide your kids, hide your wife' didn't go to college" when naming famous people without degrees1. Korean-American singer Jay Park also mimicked Dodson in an episode of Jay Park TV1.

The financial impact was significant. Revenue from iTunes sales, merchandise, and donations helped Dodson's family move out of the Lincoln Park projects by September 20101. He launched a website soliciting donations and set up a foundation for Type 1 diabetes, which affected both his sister and mother1. In August 2010, Dodson noted the irony of having "a hit on iTunes, but we're still in the projects," though that changed within a month1.

Dodson parlayed his fame into multiple business ventures: a T-shirt line, a licensed "Bed Intruder Costume" for Halloween 2010, a "Sex Offender Tracker" smartphone app endorsement, and a reality show pilot announced in January 20111. In November 2014, he fought the alleged intruder Rashaad Cooper in a celebrity boxing match hosted by Kato Kaelin, winning in the first round1. In September 2022, he announced plans to launch a beer called "Run N' Tell That" with Huntsville brewery Straight to Ale1.

The meme also sparked debate about race, class, and media representation. The clip originated from a real crime report, and the humor derived from Dodson's delivery raised questions about laughing at or with people from marginalized communities. Capehart's Washington Post editorial positioned Dodson as "one of the strongest people we've seen in a while," pushing back against the idea that the meme was purely mockery1.

Fun Facts

Dodson grew up in Chicago and moved to Huntsville in 2004, where he attended Virginia College and worked as a hairstylist1.

The alleged intruder Rashaad Cooper was never charged by police based on the Dodsons' report, and he later contradicted their account of the incident1.

Dodson and Cooper eventually faced off in a 2014 celebrity boxing match, with Dodson winning in the first round1.

In January 2011, MSN announced Dodson was filming a reality show pilot about his family's move from Huntsville to Los Angeles1.

The "Bed Intruder Song" was the most viewed non-major-label music video on YouTube for all of 20101.

Derivatives & Variations

Bed Intruder Song

— The Gregory Brothers' Auto-Tune remix that reached #89 on Billboard's Hot 100 and sold 250,000+ copies on iTunes[1]

Punk Rock Cover

— A version by Hayley Williams (Paramore), Jordan Pundik (New Found Glory), Ethan Luck (Relient K), and Tony Lucca[1]

Chimney Intruder Song

— A Christmas-themed parody Dodson performed on Lopez Tonight about Santa Claus[1]

Bed Intruder Costume

— A licensed Halloween costume created by entrepreneur Fam Mirza for Halloween 2010[1]

"Run N' Tell That" Beer

— A craft beer collaboration between Dodson and Huntsville brewery Straight to Ale, announced in 2022[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

References (2)

  1. 1
    Antoine Dodsonencyclopedia
  2. 2
    Hide Yo Kids - Urban Dictionarydictionary