Image via Complex Original
Rappers author and popularize many of the sayings, words, and phrases that make their way into popular culture. In 2014 alone, rappers had everyone saying things like “’bout a week ago,” “0 to 100,” “we dem boyz,” “you guessed it,” and “I'm in love with the coco” all because they were in everyone's favorite songs.
The situation also works vice versa. Rappers often use phrases that have become popular among their target audiences as the topics for their newest songs. Some phrase that all the kids are saying will make its way—more than likely by the Internet—all across the country and be the idiom of the hour. Then, your favorite MC will come along and try to strike while the iron is hot. You can call it smart or can you can call it lazy, but here are 10 rappers who used current phrases in the urban lexicon as the subject matter for their recent songs.
C. Vernon Coleman II is a writer living in Atlanta. Follow him @Vernon_Coleman.
DJ Snake f/ Lil Jon “Turn Down for What”
Year: 2013
What the phrase means: Why cease the extra-curricular activities, when I still have the capacity to take it to the next level?!
Last year was all about the turn up, and 2014 was pretty much the same. But instead of just outright going dumb, people decided the best way to crank the crunk to the next level was to question those questioning their ability to go on molly and EDM-induced rages. Turn down for what?! Jeezy, Game, and T-Wayne all came up with tracks capitalizing off the popular phrase, but Lil Jon and DJ Snake’s keyed-up anthem broke the knob off.
Meek Mill “Ooh Kill 'Em”
Year: 2013
What the phrase means: To slay the competition.
People have been saying “kill 'em” for decades as a means of hyping someone who is doing their thing. But the shear genuine excitement in Terrio’s cousin’s voice when the grade schooler was cranking his dance is forever cemented in Internet lore. After the video and exclamation went viral, Meek Mill decided to use the phrase for the chorus and title of a diss track aimed at Cassidy.
Rick Ross f/ Meek Mill, French Montana, and Diddy “Bout That Life”
Year: 2013
What the phrase means: Having the ability to participate in a particular activity without trepidation because you are used to it.
Another phrase that seemed to morph from New Orleans lingo is the current proclamation “’bout that life.” It appears hemmed to the term “I’m ’bout it,” which is also the name of one of the most significant songs in Southern rap's come up and the title of the best worst movie of all time. The Maybach Music crew, along with Diddy and French Montana, used the remark as the basis for the single “Bout That Life.” After Puff’s recent run-in with Drake, he most definitely might be.
Ty Dolla $ign f/ Wiz Khalifa and the Weeknd “Or Nah”
Year: 2014
What the phrase means: Yes or no?
The “or nah” phrase craze among today’s youth is akin to the New Orleans slang “Ha” popularized by Juvenile, but cornier. Once the simple two-word combo started sliding into the urban lexicon it was only a matter of time before some artist took advantage. Ty Dolla $ign used the query to come up with a hit single off his EP Beach House. After the song was already a hit, Game blatantly jacked the title for his own song.
Nicki Minaj f/ Soulja Boy “Yasss Bish”
Year: 2014
What the phrase means: The 2014 equivalent to the ’90s quip “You go, girl!”
According to Nicki, the term “Yasss Bish” originated in the drag queen culture and slowly made its way into urban vocab. It’s now prominently used by women as a means to display complete agreement and approval. Minaj rode the term’s wave with the street single “Yasss Bish” produced by Soulja Boy.
B.o.B f/ Lin-Z and London Jae “Fleek”
Year: 2014
What the phrase means: On point at a visibly superior level.
What might have started as a description of a woman's eyebrows with the Steve Harvey lineup, has become the pop culture word of the winter. Adopted by both sexes to refer to a level of high quality, B.o.B recently tapped a couple members of his No Genre crew to pen the soundtrack to the spreading phrase.
Migos “Fake Watch Busta”
Year: 2014
What the phrase means: Anonymous watch connoisseur who calls out rappers rocking fugazy time pieces.
FakeWatchBusta's Instagram account became a low-key Internet icon after precisely calling out rappers, entertainers, and regular people flexing on Instagram with faux expensive watches. ATL group Migos gave a shout to the infamous IG account with the track “Fake Watch Busta” where they claim to only rock jewelry that is official.
The Game f/ Problem, Bad Lucc, & Huddy “T.H.O.T.”
Year: 2014
What the phrase means: The type of girl you don’t take home to meet mom.
The latest term in disrespectful endearment toward females, thot has replaced its predecessors, pigeon, chicken head, and jump off. Now widely used, the Game came up with an anthem to celebrate the way we disrespect women in 2014.
Fast Life “Do It for the Vine”
Year: 2014
What the phrase means: Make a complete fool out of yourself for the entertainment and likes of users on the social networking site, Vine.
Social sharing sites like Instagram and Vine have given people the opportunity to share their most precious moments. And also make a complete fool out of themselves, either or. Enter the phrase “do it for the Vine,” which is universal instruction for a person to do whatever dumb-ass shit they are about to do for six seconds. Naturally, someone decided to use the popular slogan as an opportunity for a come up, with rapper Fast Life crafting the aptly titled single.
Jim Jones f/ Trey Songz “Wit the Shit”
Year: 2014
What the phrase means: The uncanny ability to partake in mostly high-risk, low-reward activities.
One would think there would only be a handful of ways for a person to say they are down for whatever, but apparently being able to have your choice of a dozen or so just makes living the thug life easier. “With the shit” is the latest way to let someone know you could black out at any time and just start slapping people. Or in Jim Jones’ case, a woman willing to take one for the team.
