Image via Complex Original
Last week, Drake took to Instagram with pictures of "YOLO" merchandise in Walgreens and Macy's. In the captions, he told both retailers to "either chill or cut the cheque." This sparked a cycle of news stories about how Drake wants royalties for "YOLO" merchandise. It's true that Drizzy helped popularize the term, and seeing money from its widespread use wouldn't hurt his pockets, but it's obvious that the he was asking for compensation in jest.
For starters, Drake never trademarked the phrase, and he might not even have the right to. People have been using "YOLO" for years—sometimes in reference to its meaning, You Only Live Once, but not always. Either way, from restaurants to surf boards, here are 11 Things That Used "YOLO" Before Drake.
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Yolo County, California
Year Established: 1850
People were uprooting their lives for a shot at West Coast wealth during the Gold Rush at this time. That's a "YOLO" scenario if we've ever heard one.
"You Only Live Once" Film
Year Established: 1937
The fact that the first letter of each word in the title is highlighted on the poster kind of makes this a legitimate example of the "YOLO" acronym.
Yolo Basin Foundation
Year Established: 1990
Wild animals only live once, too!
YOLO Colorhouse
Year Established: 1995
When Drake feels like redecorating a room in his mansion, he should consider this paint brand.
YOLO Clothing Line
Year Established: 2004
Created by Adam Mesh from season three of The Average Joe. His words: "When I created the word it was meant as inspiration to live life to the fullest. Disappointed in current use. I have moved on."
YOLO Boards
Year Established: 2005
Does this mean surfers will say "YOLO" instead of "gnarly" now?
"You Only Live Once" by The Strokes
Year Established: 2006
The campaign to get the song airplay was called "Operation: YOLO."
YOLO Restaurant
Year Established: 2008
When reached for comment, a manager could not confirm that Drake has ever attended the Florida restaurant. Shouts to Ronnie Fieg for the tip.
YOLO Bar
Year Established: 2009
This Queens spot is called Ditmars now, but it briefly operated as YOLO with the acronym's "You Only Live Once" meaning wholly in mind.
Katie Price's "You Only Live Once" Book
Year Established: 2010
No one would be shocked to know that Drake read the Jordan autobiography, either.
YOLO Lounge
Year Established: 2011
This Portland joint opened just a few months before Drake dropped "The Motto."
