Disclaimer: video clips in this entry contain insensitive language.
About
Kevin Antoine Dodson is a Huntsville, Alabama resident recently interviewed by NBC affiliate WAFF-48 News in a news clip about the local police searching for a man who broke into the Dodsons’ home and then tried to assault one of his sisters in bed.
Origin
On July 28th, 2010, North Alabama’s NBC affiliate WAFF-48 News reported that local police are searching for a man who broke into a home then got into bed with a woman. According to the news story, that Wednesday morning, Kelly Dodson woke up to an intruder in her bed. The woman’s brother, Antoine Dodson, rushed to her room after hearing his sister scream. After a brief struggle, the intruder escaped through a window. Antoine said the suspect left behind his shirt and fingerprints.
WAFF-48 sent a correspondent to speak with the victims, which resulted in the following report:
“Well, obviously we have a RAPIST in Lincoln Park. He’s climbin’ in your windows, he’s snatchin’ your people up, tryin’ to rape ‘em. So y’all need to hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husband cause they’re rapin’ everybody out here.”
Spread
- First memetic hub post to Reddit on 7/29.
- BuzzFeed posted Don’t Cross Antoine Dodson on 7/29. Other places that covered the video on the 29th included dlisted, Best Week Ever, and 2Snaps.tv.
- Over the next few days, Antoine was mentioned in another Best Week Ever article, Cnet News, and Oh No They Didn’t.
- A few of the articles focused more on the serious parts of the situation: possible reinforcement of stereotypes (The Washington Post and the BVX) and overlooking the attempted sexual assault (Jezebel and Woman’s Day’s blog).
- Antoine Dodson’s Facebook Page
Criticism & Response to Popularity
While Antoine was becoming an internet sensation, many residents of the Alabama community criticized WAFF-48, saying that “interviews with people like Antoine reflect poorly on the community.”
WAFF-48’s corespondent Elizabeth Gentle officially responded to criticism by saying that “censoring people, like Antoine, is far worse.”
On July 30th, 2010, WAFF-48 aired the following report in which they address the criticism and get Antoine’s reaction to his newly-found fame:
By August 3rd, he had created a website for himself, Antoine-Dodson.com, as well as a YouTube channel.
On August 26th, he was interviewed on the Today Show
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Derivatives
Remix by Kidstatic
You’re So Dumb Remix by SimplySpoons
MC Antoine Dodson Remix by Peepholecircus
8-bit indie pop remix by dimkeal
Parody by edbassmaster
Auto-Tune the News
On July 30th, the Gregory Brothers’ Autotune The News released the “Bed Intruder Song”, which would rise to popularity as the 25th most bought song on the main iTunes charts when it was released, selling more than 10,000 copies in the first two days of its availability ( Source: Wired interview with the Gregory Brothers).
Bed Intruder Song has entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at #89, selling 30k downloads.
The video spawned derivatives on its own, including covers on piano, acoustic guitar, marching band, ukulele, and a Tsugaru Shamisen:
YouTube user omnomnomandrew posted an acoustic mashup of the Bed Intruder Song with the Double Rainbow song.
Marching Band Cover
On August 11, 2010, YouTuber ShowTimeWeb posted a cover video of Bed Intruder Song by the North Carolina A&T University Blue & Gold Marching Machine.
Please note: That this is a reading / practice session.
Pop Punk Cover
On August 25th a pop punk version of the song was uploaded to YouTube by Hayley Williams (Paramore), Jordan Pundik (New Found Glory), and Ethan Luck (Relient K).
Antoine on the Today Show
On August 26, 2010, Antoine Dodson was featured on the Today Show in an interview by Mark McCarter.