Ways to say better English 4

ลำดับตอนที่ #15 : 50 Years Of Hip-Hop. 50 Definitive Words. Part 2

50 Years Of Hip-Hop. 50 Definitive Words. Part 2

bling 

Bling is now established as both an adjective (“flashy; ostentatious”) and a noun (“expensive and flashy jewelry, clothing, or other possessions”). The related phrase bling bling was popularized in the late 1990s by Lil Wayne, Juvenile, and the Hot Boys.

struggle

It’s not surprising that the word struggle itself is ranked highly on lyrical analyses of hip-hop as one of the most frequently used words. The very nature of hip-hop is based on personal experiences and narratives of not just surviving but thriving amidst racism, poverty, and other forms of adversity.

“And still I rise, so keep your head up,
And make your mind strong
It’s a struggle every day, but you gotta hold on.”
—“Hold On Be Strong” by Tupac (referencing the Maya Angelou poem “And Still I Rise”)

thug life 

Thug life is a term indelibly linked with Tupac Shakur, who popularized it as a way of referring to a determined and resilient attitude to succeed in spite of racism and injustice. The reclaimed use of the word thug by Black people is intended to spotlight and counter the stereotypes embedded in its use as a racist slur.

GOAT

In sports, legends like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Serena Williams are often referred to as the G.O.A.T.—the “Greatest Of All Time.” We can attribute the term G.O.A.T. to the actual G.O.A.T. himself: Muhammad Ali. But by 2000, the term had become popular enough in the rap scene that LL Cool J named his album G.O.A.T.—The Greatest Of All Time. It’s now common for rap fans and outlets to debate who is rap’s G.O.A.T., with the likes of Jay-Z, Tupac, and the Notorious B.I.G. often topping lists.

love

Benjamins and bling aside, the true focus of hip-hop is often love. In 2017, the site The Pudding released a study of the words most common (and unique) to hip-hop, based on 26 million words from hip-hop lyrics. It revealed love as one of the most repeated words in lyrics, finding that it is almost four times more likely to appear in hip-hop lyrics than other music genres.

renegade

It’s the 2020s, and hip-hop dances have gone viral. On Instagram, Dubsmash, and TikTok, dance challenges set to popular songs have racked up millions of views. One of the first was Renegade, a dance choreographed to K-Camp’s “Lottery” by 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon.

culture

Hip-hop is more than a musical genre—it’s a culture. Early on, hip-hop coalesced around the shared beliefs and traditions of the communities of the Black and Latino artists who shaped it. Russell Simmons says in his book Life and Def, “I see hip-hop culture as the new American mainstream. We don’t change for you; you adapt to us.” Hip-hop has since grown beyond the US to become part of global culture.

skrrt

Whether you’re singing along to trap rappers or making a quick getaway, skrrt is onomatopoeia for the sound of tires screeching. It’s been around since at least the 1990s.

stan 

A blend of stalker and fan, the term stan describes an “overly enthusiastic fan, especially of a celebrity.” This term is linked to Eminem’s 2000 song “Stan.”

okurrr 

Okurrr is a fun, sassy, and trilled way of saying OK and a catchphrase of rapper Cardi B. It originates in drag culture and was notably featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Not sure how to pronounce it? According to Cardi B, it should sound like “a cold pigeon in New York City.”

movement

What started as an underground movement in the late 1970s is now a global phenomenon that continues to influence music, entertainment, fashion, sports, business, language, and so many other aspects of life. And hip-hop gives a voice to artists advocating for change, making it a social and political movement. What will the next 50 years of hip-hop bring? The sky’s the limit.

???? Retro (and future retro) slang

Hip-hop is among the most prolific generators and popularizers of slang. Some terms that emerge from hip-hop take decades to enter the mainstream (where they are then often mistaken as “new”), while others catch fire instantly but then flame out due to overuse. Here are five examples that serve as reference points of cultural eras and moments.

phat

The first records of phat—a respelling of fat—come from around 1960. It came to be used as a synonym for cool and as a positive descriptor of attractiveness, especially applied to women, leading to (unsupported) theories that the word stands for “Pretty Hot And Tempting,” among other creative phrases.

da bomb

Da bomb is a compliment; it means something is “the best.” Kriss Kross released “Da Bomb” in 1993, and now the phrase is remembered as a relic of that era.

fo’ shizzle

You might assume the credit for this one goes entirely to Snoop Dogg, who popularized the phrase with his 2000 single “Snoop Dogg (What’s My Name Pt. 2).” But E-40 is actually cited as first using -izzle as a suffix in 1996.

jiggy

Remember “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” Will Smith’s 1997 hit? Jiggy actually dates back to the 1920s and may be related to jig (“dance”).

pushin’ P

Popularized by the 2022 song “pushin P” by rappers Gunna, Future, and Young Thug, the phrase has many interpretations, but typically means something similar to keeping it real. A person who remains true to their friends while also living a luxury lifestyle would be said to be pushin’ p.