10 Years Later: The Unbelievable True Story Of 'Had To Do It To Em' Meme Star Lucky Luciano

The phrase "You know I had to do it to 'em" has become a permanent fixture in internet culture, a declaration of triumph or a cheeky justification for a bold move. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the man who immortalized this meme, known across the internet as Lucky Luciano, is back in the news for reasons far more serious than viral fame, marking a dramatic new chapter in the history of one of the internet's most enduring images. This article dives deep into the meme's origin, its cultural impact, and the latest, most surprising updates on the life of the real person behind the pose. The man behind the famous pose—standing on a Tampa, Florida sidewalk in a light-colored shirt and white shorts, hands clasped—has navigated a decade of unexpected celebrity. From an anonymous Twitter post to becoming a global "photoshop meme" phenomenon, the image's longevity speaks to its versatile and universally relatable energy. However, the recent news cycle, including a highly publicized arrest and a subsequent crowdfunding effort, sheds new light on the complex reality of being an accidental internet star.

The Man Behind the Meme: Lachborne Bachraz Biography

For years, the identity of the man in the "Had to Do It to 'Em" photo was a mystery, known only by his social media handle, @LuckyLuciano17k. It wasn't until a few years ago, and more recently in late 2024, that his real name and more personal details came to light, painting a clearer picture of the man whose life was changed by a single photograph.

• Real Name: Lachborne Bachraz (sometimes spelled Lachborne Backhaz)
• Known Aliases: Lucky Luciano, LuckyLuciano17k
• Origin Date of Meme: September 2, 2014
• Original Platform: X (formerly Twitter)
• Location of Photo: A sidewalk in Tampa, Florida
• Original Caption: "You know I had to do it to 'em"
• Meme Type: Photoshop Meme / Reaction Image
• Recent Activity: Featured in a 10th-anniversary photo recreation and interview in December 2024.
• Recent Legal Status: Arrested and launched a GoFundMe campaign for legal fees in 2024.

Lachborne Bachraz, a resident of Tampa, Florida, was just a regular person when his sister snapped the now-iconic photo. The image, which shows him in a pink polo shirt and white shorts, quickly went viral after he posted it to Twitter (now X) with the simple, yet profound, caption. The pose itself—hands folded and a somewhat smug, confident expression—perfectly encapsulated a feeling of having executed a flawless, necessary, or audacious action.

The Meme’s Meteoric Rise and Cultural Significance

The "You Know I Had to Do It to 'Em" meme quickly transcended its initial context, becoming a staple of internet humor. Its success lies in its versatility, allowing it to be applied to a countless number of situations.

The Anatomy of a Viral Sensation

The original photo, posted in 2014, didn't instantly explode, but rather gained steady traction before becoming a full-blown "photoshop meme" in the following years. The image was perfectly cropped and positioned, making it incredibly easy for users to place Lucky Luciano into bizarre, historical, or pop culture-related scenes.

The phrase "had to do it to 'em" functions as a kind of pre-emptive justification. It's used when a person performs an action so unexpected, so "fly," or so necessary that they need to reassure onlookers that the action was not random, but a move of calculated coolness.

• The Pose: The confident stance, with hands folded, suggests an air of smug satisfaction after a successful maneuver.
• The Outfit: The bright, somewhat preppy attire (pink polo and white shorts) adds a layer of unexpected dorkiness to the confidence, enhancing its comedic value.
• The Context: The image is often photoshopped into historical moments, movie scenes, famous artwork, or next to other celebrities, always with the implied caption of having just done something legendary.

A decade after its creation, the meme's legacy is so strong that fans still flock to the exact sidewalk in Tampa, Florida, where the photo was taken, seeking out the location of the modern-day internet legend.

The Latest Chapter: Legal Troubles and The 'Free Lucky' Campaign (2024-2025)

The life of an accidental meme star is often a blend of fleeting notoriety and a return to normal life, but for Lachborne Bachraz, the spotlight found him again in late 2024 with a series of significant personal and legal challenges. This recent development has brought the "Had to Do It to 'Em" guy back into the public eye with a very real-world problem.

The Arrest and GoFundMe Effort

In a dramatic turn of events, Lucky Luciano was arrested in 2024 on charges related to alleged drug possession. Following this, he launched a GoFundMe campaign, titled "Free Lucky Campaign," to raise money for his legal defense. The campaign's goal was set to cover attorney fees and other associated costs, with Bachraz claiming the arrest was based on "BS."

The news of his arrest and subsequent plea for financial help sparked a new wave of discussion across social media platforms like X, Reddit, and various online forums. Fans and observers debated the irony of the situation—the man known for a meme of ultimate confidence now needing help to navigate a difficult legal battle.

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The 10-Year Anniversary and Reconciliation

Despite the legal challenges, December 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the meme's creation. To commemorate the milestone, Lachborne Bachraz participated in an interview and a photo recreation, returning to the very Tampa sidewalk where his life changed forever.

This recreation was a moment of reconciliation with his unexpected fame. For years, Bachraz had expressed a complicated relationship with the meme, often being recognized but struggling to monetize the viral moment effectively. The 10-year anniversary allowed him to reclaim the narrative, acknowledging the meme's impact while also highlighting the struggles he has faced since that fateful day in 2014.

Furthermore, reports indicate that Bachraz is considering legal action against the police following his arrest, adding another layer of controversy to his recent history. This move suggests a determination to fight the charges and a willingness to use his public platform to address the situation.

The Enduring Legacy of 'Had To Do It To Em'

The story of "You Know I Had to Do It to 'Em" is more than just a funny picture; it’s a modern parable about the unpredictable nature of internet fame and its lasting impact on an individual’s life. The meme has generated countless derivatives, including "Had To Do It To 'Em" merchandise, parody accounts, and continuous use as a reaction image in group chats and forums globally. The phrase and the image have become deeply embedded in the digital lexicon, representing a moment of undeniable, if often self-aware, swagger. From its humble origins on a Florida sidewalk to its recent association with legal and financial struggles, the journey of Lachborne Bachraz—Lucky Luciano—serves as a compelling case study in 21st-century viral culture. As he continues to navigate his personal and legal challenges in 2025, the internet watches, reminding us all that sometimes, you just *had to do it to 'em*, even if the consequences are unexpected.