As a Real Street Nigga Myself: Decoding the Viral Internet Meme

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Related Explainer: Who’s Ethan Crumbley And Why Is His Face On A Meme? The ‘As A Former Street Myself’ Meme Explained

Unpacking “As A Real Street Nigga Myself” Meme

The phrase “As A Real Street Nigga Myself” exploded onto the internet scene as a viral tweet originating from Twitter (now X) user @chickenjorhe in January 2022. His commentary on rapper Lil Durk’s social media blackout, “As a former street nigga myself, I know what dat means,” sparked a meme that quickly evolved. X user @Toriquex1 amplified the catchphrase by pairing it with an image of a child in a prayerful pose, further cementing its place in online vernacular. The meme took a darker turn in May 2024 when TikTok user @charleybournetruecrime revealed the child’s identity as Ethan Crumbley, the perpetrator of the tragic Oxford High School shooting in 2021.

Origin of a Catchphrase

The genesis of “As A Real Street Nigga Myself” can be traced back to January 13, 2022. @chickenjorhe, tweeting about Lil Durk’s departure from social media, casually dropped the line, “As a former street nigga myself, I know what dat means.”[1] This seemingly innocuous tweet resonated online, particularly when @Toriquex1 responded with the now-iconic image of a praying child, captioned with the same phrase, “As a former street nigga myself.” This tweet rapidly gained traction, amassing over 7,000 likes and 600 reposts within two years, signaling the meme’s ascent.

Teflon Sam Jan 13, 2022 @chickenjorhe. Follow X Lil Durk deleted all his socials. As a former street n—- myself, I know what dat means Jed! @Toriquex1 Follow

Meme’s Spread and Evolution

Over the ensuing years, the tweet transformed into a widely recognized reaction image across X and Reddit. It became particularly favored for satirizing instances of white individuals using the N-word on social media platforms, highlighting the absurdity and cultural appropriation inherent in such actions. A notable example occurred on November 27, 2023, when X user @Koma_Swirlious employed the “as a former street myself” meme in response to a tweet containing the N-word.[2] This reaction garnered significant engagement, illustrating the meme’s effectiveness in online commentary.

Reddit also played a role in the meme’s dissemination. On April 28, 2024, Redditor attentionseeker69420 posted the child’s image with the macro caption “as a former street myself.”[3] While this specific post received less immediate traction, it demonstrates the meme’s presence across different social media ecosystems.

AS A FORMER STREET N—- MYSELF

The Darker Side: Ethan Crumbley Connection

A significant shift in the meme’s perception occurred on May 9, 2024. TikTok creator @charleybournetruecrime, in a video addressing the Oxford High School shooting of November 2021, revealed a startling connection.[4] The video highlighted that the child featured in the “as a former street myself” meme was indeed Ethan Crumbley, the very individual responsible for the tragic school shooting. This revelation, viewed over 774,000 times within a day, injected a layer of dark irony and discomfort into the meme’s interpretation.

@charleybournetruecrime these cases absolutely break my heart #truecrime #truecrimetok #truecrimetiktok #truecrimetiktoks #crimetok #crimetiktok #crimestory #truecrimecommunity #truecrimestory ♬ Creepy horror ambient(1022762) – howlingindicator

Examples of the Meme in Use

The “As A Real Street Nigga Myself” meme has been utilized in various online contexts, often to express disbelief or sardonic humor, particularly after the Ethan Crumbley revelation. Users have juxtaposed the meme with commentary on Crumbley’s actions, creating a disturbing yet darkly comedic effect.