A Beginner’s Guide to Hip-Hop Slang in 2011

by Aaron Zorgel

January 4, 2012

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It’s never been more important to stay on top of cultural trends. If you don’t latch on to a fad at exactly the right moment, you run the risk of being edged out of the cool conversation, and being guy who is still saying “WINNING” in December.

We need some kind of resource — a lifejacket for the nerdy middle class, to at least give us a chance of staying afloat in the universally cool and progressive hip-hop arena. So without further hesitation, here’s A Beginner’s Guide To The Most Popular Hip-Hop Slang of 2011.

SWAG (noun)

As a noun, swag is an overarching term used to describe the way you carry yourself, including your clothes, your attitude, and your vocabulary.

Example: “I got the swag, and it’s drippin’ out my ovaries” (Kreayshawn, “Gucci Gucci”)

Made popular by: Soulja Boy, Tyler the Creator

SWAG (adjective)

It can also be used as an adjective signifying the height of perceived taste, or announcing a co-sign on someone else’s character.

Example:You could fuck my bitch, Based God / You’re swag to the maximum.” (Lil B, “Wonton Soup”)

Made popular by: Lil B

SWAG (verb)

Holy shit, it can also be used as a verb. To “swag it the fuck out,” means to “flex” your swag muscles a bit. Flaunt it, strut around town like you own it.

Example: “Gone baby swag it out, show them haters who you with” (Nicki Minaj, “Swag It Out”)

Made popular by: Odd Future, Nicki Minaj, Zendaya

DOE (adverb)

An alternative pronunciation of the word “though.”

Example:

Made popular by: Tyler the Creator, Soulja Boy

CRAY (adjective)

Mentally deranged, as manifested in a wild or aggressive way. See also: crazy.

Example: “That shit cray” (Jay Z & Kanye West, “Niggas In Paris”)

Made popular by: THAT SHIT ‘YE

CREEZ (adjective)

A failed attempt at shifting the vernacular by anger-management poster boy Chris Brown:

Example: Wow, Chris Brown, you’re so creez” (No one, ever)

Made popular by: Chris Brown, Omarion

SLIZZARD (adjective)

Affected by inebriation to the extent of losing control of one’s faculties or behavior.

Example: “Poppin’ bottles in the ice, like a blizzard / When we drink we do it right, getting slizzard” (Far East Movement feat. Dev, “Like a G6)

Made popular by: Dev

YOLO (interjection)

A word that you shout to express your disregard for consequence. An acronym for “You only live once.”

Example: “You only live once, that’s the motto, nigga Yolo” (Drake, “The Motto)

Made popular by: Drake, Rick Ross. The pair even have a collaborative mixtape planned that will be titled “Yolo.”

I’M ON ONE (phrase)

A phrase used to casually mention that you’re on drugs.

Example: “Fuck it, I’m on one” (DJ Khaled feat. Drake, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, “I’m One One”)

Made popular by: Drake, The Weeknd

BIG FACES (noun)

Another way to refer to 100 dollar bills.

Example: “Got a pocket full of big faces, throw it up ‘cause every nigga that I’m with Taylored” (Wiz Khalifa, “Black & Yellow”)

Made popular by: Wiz Khalifa. It’s worth mentioning that “Taylored” is also a Wiz Khalifa creation. He calls his crew the Taylor Gang, because of his affinity for Chuck Taylor shoes, and from what I can tell, calling someone “taylored” means that they are “swag”. Is this giving anyone else a headache?

FOOLAY / BOOLAY (adjective)

From Big Sean Himself:

Example: It hasn’t been utilized lyrically, but here’s an excerpt from an interview with Big Sean: “Damn, I got a Rolex on my pinky finger. That’s foolay. Boolay is like the opposite of foolay, it’s like bad so like you’re boolay, you’re fuckin’ up homie.”
Made popular by: Big Sean

H.A.M. (adjective)

An acronym that stands for “Hard as a motherfucker,” to go H.A.M. is to be in the zone, and to be supremely focused on the immediate task at hand.

Example: “I’m about to go H.A.M., hard as a motherfucker, let these niggas know who I am.” (Jay-Z & Kanye West, “H.A.M.”)

Made popular by: Jay-Z & Kanye West

Tags: Music, Featured, big sean, Chris Brown, Drake, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kreayshawn, lil b, Nicki Minaj, Omarion, Soulja Boy, Tyler the Creator, Wiz Khalifa

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