Title:
Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wife
Meme Creator:
The Gregory Brothers (Schmoyoho)
Media Creator:
Antoine Dodson
Meme Creation Year:
2010
Media Year:
2010
Height of Popularity:
2010-2011
Era:
Golden Age of Memes
Platform:
YouTube
Video Meme
Type:
Tags:
antoine dodson, bed intruder, hide yo kids hide yo wife, gregory brothers, autotune, huntsville alabama, waff-48, kelly dodson, lincoln park
History:
"Hide Yo Kids, Hide Yo Wife" represents one of the most significant viral phenomena of the early 2010s, transforming a local news interview about a serious crime into a global entertainment sensation that redefined the relationship between traditional media, internet culture, and musical remix creativity.
The origin story began on July 28, 2010, when police responded to a home invasion and possible sexual assault attempt at the Lincoln Park housing projects in Huntsville, Alabama. NBC affiliate WAFF-48 was covering the story when reporter Elizabeth Gentle interviewed residents of the housing project, including Antoine Dodson, the brother of victim Kelly Dodson, who had awoken to find an intruder in her bedroom (Daily Dot, 2021).
Antoine Dodson's interview became legendary for its passionate delivery and memorable phrasing. Speaking with characteristic intensity and Southern dialect, Dodson declared: "Well, obviously we have a rapist in Lincoln Park. He's climbin' in yo' windows, he's snatchin' yo' people up, tryin' to rape 'em. So y'all need to hide yo' kids, hide yo' wife, and hide yo' husband 'cause they rapin' everybody out here" (Know Your Meme, 2010).
The news footage was uploaded to YouTube by user Z01D1111 on July 29, 2010, the day after the broadcast. On the same day, Redditor panhead posted a link to the WAFF coverage on /r/Funny, where it accumulated 810 upvotes and 225 comments before being archived (Know Your Meme, 2010). The video quickly spread across the internet, with BuzzFeed, Dlisted, and Best Week Ever all sharing the footage.
The transformation from viral news clip to cultural phenomenon occurred when the Gregory Brothers, known for their "Auto-Tune the News" series, decided to create a musical remix. On July 30, 2010, they released the "Bed Intruder Song," which would become one of the most successful internet-to-mainstream music crossovers in history (Know Your Meme, 2010).
The Gregory Brothers initially questioned the appropriateness of turning such a serious situation into musical parody. Drummer Michael Gregory admitted in a 2010 interview that he originally questioned the ethics, but then realized, "it's taking a terrible situation and making at least something positive out of it" (Daily Dot, 2021). This philosophical approach helped justify transforming genuine trauma into entertainment content.
The "Bed Intruder Song" achieved remarkable commercial success, rising to become the 25th most-bought song on the main iTunes charts when released and selling more than 10,000 copies in its first two days of availability (Know Your Meme, 2010). The track eventually entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at #89, demonstrating the unprecedented commercial potential of internet viral content.
By May 2013, the Bed Intruder Song had amassed more than 114 million views on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched viral videos of its era. The success led to various mainstream media appearances, including Antoine Dodson's discussion of the song's success on NBC's Today Show in an interview on August 26, 2010.
The cultural impact extended beyond digital platforms into traditional media and gaming. The track was released as downloadable content for the music video game Rock Band 3 on June 26, 2011, credited to Antoine Dodson and The Gregory Brothers featuring Kelly Dodson, acknowledging both the performer and the original victim in the commercial release.
The meme's phrase "hide yo kids, hide yo wife" became a widely-used internet catchphrase, applicable to any situation requiring vigilance or warning others about potential danger. The format influenced countless other auto-tuned news remixes and established the template for transforming serious news content into viral entertainment.
The phenomenon raised important questions about the ethics of viral content creation, particularly regarding the transformation of real trauma into entertainment. While the Gregory Brothers' approach was generally viewed as respectful and positive, the case highlighted ongoing tensions between internet culture's remix practices and the dignity of crime victims.
Notes about the Creator/s:
Creator (Media):
Antoine Dodson, whose real name is Kevin Antoine Dodson, was a Huntsville, Alabama resident who became an overnight celebrity through his passionate defense of his sister after a traumatic home invasion. Dodson's natural charisma and expressive communication style during an extremely stressful situation created content that resonated far beyond its original news context.
WAFF-48 News provided the platform and professional documentation that made the viral spread possible. Reporter Elizabeth Gentle later defended the decision to air Dodson's interview despite some criticism, stating that "censoring people like Antoine is far worse."
Creator (Meme):
The Gregory Brothers (Schmoyoho) were the key creators who transformed Dodson's news interview into the viral "Bed Intruder Song." The group had already established a following through their "Auto-Tune the News" series, which applied musical treatment to political and news content. Their sophisticated understanding of both musical production and internet culture enabled them to create a remix that was both entertaining and respectful.
The Gregory Brothers' approach demonstrated how internet creators could collaborate with viral subjects to create mutually beneficial content, sharing profits and credit with Dodson and his family while building their own brand as viral content creators.
Notes about the years:
Media Creation Year (2010):
The original WAFF-48 news interview was broadcast on July 28, 2010, following the July 28 home invasion incident in Huntsville, Alabama. The raw news footage provided the source material that would soon become globally recognized.
Meme Creation Year (2010):
The transformation to viral meme occurred almost immediately, with the news footage uploaded to YouTube on July 29, 2010, and the Gregory Brothers' "Bed Intruder Song" released on July 30, 2010. This rapid timeline demonstrates the speed with which content could achieve viral status and commercial success during the early years of social media culture.
Height of Popularity (2010-2011):
The meme reached peak cultural penetration during late 2010 and throughout 2011, coinciding with its commercial success on iTunes and Billboard charts. Antoine Dodson's appearances on major television programs and the song's inclusion in video games during this period demonstrate the meme's mainstream cultural impact and lasting influence beyond typical internet humor lifecycles.
Sources and additional information:
Know Your Meme. (2010, July 30). Antoine Dodson / Bed Intruder. Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/antoine-dodson-bed-intruder
Daily Dot. (2021, May 23). 15 interesting facts about Antoine Dodson, the viral star who told you to 'hide yo kids'. Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/antoine-dodson-hide-yo-kids-hide-yo-wife/