Late in 2015, comedian Kayode Ewumi and best friend Tyrell Williams uploaded the first episode of this web series they created. It was called “Hood Documentary.” In it Ewumi plays Roll Safe, an aspiring grime rapper.
R.S., as Roll Safe goes by for short, looks like Eddie Murphy from his Delirious tour and is so certain about his abilities. Quickly, we learn that R.S. is a little delusional and not that good. Yet he’s captivating his earnest foolishness nonetheless.
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As Ewumi told Vice UK: “”Everyone knows someone like RS, no matter what context [it’s in]. He’s that guy in the hood convinced that he knows everyone and everything.”
BBC Three eventually picked up the web series and Ewumi has retired the character. But one indelible moment from the show has resurfaced online recently and inspired our culture’s highest honor: becoming a meme.
https://twitter.com/Kingwole/status/826485113731047426
Yes, Roll Safe has become the internet’s newest calling card in the land of petty memes. It’s about using circular logic to prove that it’s not your fault of why someone’s mad at you. Truth be told, most of these are pretty clever. Here are some of our favorites.
When you piss her off on purpose, so she can say goodnight at 6pm and you can just play FIFA for the rest of the day in peace. pic.twitter.com/UrM5QvrV5A
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) November 15, 2016
You won't be mad at me for being late if you stop thinking I'm gonna be on time. pic.twitter.com/SerRoBO10B
— Jamilah Lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) January 31, 2017
If you get curved twice then you didn't get curved at all. Two curves make a circle which means you're at your starting point pic.twitter.com/fBqscgJw2h
— nft jo (@thatmanztyy) January 31, 2017
https://twitter.com/girlposts/status/825495363700277248
No one can hurt you if you detach yourself from everything and avoid becoming emotionally invested in anyone pic.twitter.com/VavUoE91YH
— leighsandra (@fkalisy) January 31, 2017
https://twitter.com/Trillxdadian/status/826194498740969472
https://twitter.com/RyanWindoww/status/823579333969252352
To cement its legitimacy, Roll Safe is joining Salt Bae in 2017’s official memes of the month. Roll Safe is part of our lives now.
https://twitter.com/LiliestBaby/status/826492476030599168
