If you’ve seen the video of an entire subway station in New York City stopping in the middle of their day to get funky to Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow,” then you understand how quickly a word or line from an infectious hip-hop song can penetrate the culture in 2017. Though the swiftness of social media can propel a lyric into modern vernacular quicker than ever, the truth is rap and hip-hop have always been at the forefront of popular slang. So much so, that it’s a surprise more rappers haven’t gone out of their way to trademark their most popular phrases after they take off. Think of all the marketing and merchandising potential! Think of all the Soundcloud rappers they could sue! The possibilities are endless.
In case some of the aforementioned rappers aren’t hip to the popularity of their music rhymes, we’re here to help. Here are 17 rap lyrics that deserve trademarks. Like, immediately.
“Bad and Boujee”
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Artist: Migos
Song: “Bad and Boujee”
Album: Culture (2017)
Merchandising Potential: Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 presidential campaign slogan
“It Go Down in the DM”
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Artist: Yo Gotti
Song: “Down in the DM”
Album: The Art of Hustle (2016)
Merchandising potential: Coffee table book featuring some of the worst DM curves of the last five years
“Panda, Panda, Panda, Panda”
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Artist: Desiigner
Song: “Panda”
Album: New English (2016)
Merchandising potential: T-shirts sold outside the panda exhibit at the San Diego Zoo
"Be Humble. Sit Down"
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Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Song: “Humble”
Album: DAMN (2017)
Merchandising potential: Series of motivational speeches given by MC Hammer
"I Don't Dance Now, I Make Money Moves"
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Artist: Cardi B
Song: “Bodak Yellow”
Album: N/A
Merchandising potential: New Bitcoin slogan
"I'm Blem For Real"
“Gucci Gang Gucci Gang Gucci Gang Gucci Gang Gucci Gang Gucci Gang Gucci Gang”
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Artist: Lil’ Pump
Song: “Gucci Gang”
Album: Lil’ Pump (2017)
Merchandising potential: Gucci Mane’s cheering section at Atlanta Hawks games
"At The Same Damn Time"
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Artist: Future
Song: "Same Damn Time"
Album: Pluto (2012)
Merchandising potential: Kenmore washer-dryer combo units
“Bitch, You Guessed It!”
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Artist: OG Maco
Song: "U Guessed It"
Album: n/a
Merchandising potential: Game show jingle, game show concept, state lottery jingle
"Some Type of Way"
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Artist: Rich Homie Quan
Song: “Type of Way”
Album: Still Goin In (2013)
Merchandising potential: Anti-depressants
"Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe"
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Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Song: “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe”
Album: Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City (2012)
Merchandising potential: Noise-cancelling headphones
"Can't Tell Me Nothing"
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Artist: Kanye West
Song: "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
Album: Graduation (2007)
Merchandising potential: Hearing aids
"I'm In Love With The Coco!"
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Artist: O.T. Genasis
Song: “CoCo”
Album: n/a
Merchandising potential: Commercial jingle for Nestle Hot Cocoa Mix
"Fuck tha Police"
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Artist: N.W.A
Song: "Fuck tha Police"
Album: Straight Outta Compton (1988)
Merchandising potential: NYPD online dating service
"Push It Real Good"
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Artist: Salt-n-Pepa
Song: “Push It”
Album: I Am Down (1987)
Merchandising potential: Lawn mowers, Swiffer wipes, baby strollers, walkers
"I Don't Wanna Be A Player No More"
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Artist: Big Pun
Song: "Still Not a Player"
Album: Capital Punishment (1998)
Merchandising potential: Sex addiction treatment, Gamblers Anonymous, rehab
"Cash Rules Everything Around Me"
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Artist: Wu-Tang Clan
Song: "C.R.E.A.M."
Album: Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers (1993)
Merchandising potential: TurboTax and other accounting services; Venmo, Paypal, and other microtransaction apps; personal finance programs at community colleges; financial management and consulting services.
