Meme Rap

Sensitive Content Notice ⚠️

The following article contains and discusses content that may be distressing to some readers.
Reason for Warning: This genre includes strong language, sexually suggestive themes, references to drug use, violence, and potentially taboo and offensive humor that some readers may find offensive.

Meme Rap is a subgenre of comedy hip-hop that was at its peak popularity roughly from 2016 to 2020. It combines rap and meme culture, typically featuring lo-fi production, copyrighted samples often relating to memes or children's shows, lazy rhymes, obscene lyrics and shocking titles, and intentionally stereotypical lyrics.^[1] Notable artists within the genre include Yung Craka, Ugly God, Yuno Miles, Pink Guy (also known as Filthy Frank), Shotgun Willy, Yung Nugget, Xanakin Skywok, and Yung Spinach Cumshot.

The genre aims to both entertain and humor the listener through the delivery of unexpected and comedic lyrical content. Meme rap songs were frequently created with the intent of achieving viral status, accumulating substantial viewership on platforms such as YouTube and SoundCloud. A notable trend within the subgenre involves the use of familiar melodies from children's television programs, such as Caillou, combined with explicit, shocking, or offensive lyrics. This juxtaposition contributes to the genre's appeal.

History[]

The emergence of Meme Rap is closely tied to the rise of internet virality and the exploitation of meme culture within the hip-hop genre. While the origins of meme rap can be traced back to artists like Lil B, who rose to prominence in the late 2000s with his unique blend of internet humor and hip-hop, the subgenre experienced a surge in popularity in the late-2010s.

Meme rap's history is also intertwined with the online gaming platform Roblox. The platform's "bypassed audios" scene, where users upload audio that would typically be prohibited, including loud songs, explicit language, and slurs, provided a fertile ground for the subgenre's dissemination. Meme rap gained significant popularity within Roblox, particularly in "condo games" (games with NSFW content), "Da Hood," "Dollhouse Roleplay," and "The Streets," where players used these audios to disrupt gameplay or simply express their affinity for the subgenre.

According to an article published on Pitchfork in 2017, this period saw a new wave of rappers whose careers were primarily built on the strength of their online virality, rather than traditional musical talent.^[2] These artists utilized memes as means to gain recognition, with their music or talent often serving as a secondary element. The article highlights instances where memes directly facilitated the popularity of artists like Bhad Bhabie, who gained notoriety from her "Cash Me Outside" appearance on "Dr. Phil." Her transition into rap, and subsequent major label deal, demonstrated the potential for memes to turn into commercial success within the music industry. Similarly, Matt Ox's rise was attributed to the fidget spinner craze, showcasing how trending internet phenomena could propel artists into the SoundCloud rap scene and secure record deals.^[2]

The influence of YouTube personalities, such as Jake and Logan Paul, and RiceGum, exemplifies the connection between meme culture and rap. They utilized their existing online platforms to create rap content, frequently participating in staged rivalries and producing songs primarily intended for viral consumption.^[2]

Artists like Rich Chigga and Ugly God, who initially embraced the "meme rapper" label, later rebranded to be taken more seriously as musicians.^[2] However, their early reliance on internet humor and viral content complicated these efforts. Big Shaq's "Man's Not Hot," a comedic rap persona initially created for a BBC Radio 1 freestyle, achieved unexpected mainstream success. The popularity of songs like Lil Duval's "Smile Bitch (Living My Best Life)" and "It's Everyday Bro" by Jake Paul show the potential for meme-inspired songs to reach mainstream success, albeit often short-lived.

The history of meme rap includes many instances of artists who successfully transitioned from meme-based fame to more serious musical careers. Rich Brian, formerly known as Rich Chigga, is a prime example, having gained initial notoriety through viral hits like "Dat $tick" before establishing himself as a respected artist with critical acclaim. Doja Cat is another notable example, having capitalized on the viral success of her song "Mooo!" to gain wider recognition for her musical talent.^[2]

Pink Guy, a comedic persona created by George Miller, also successfully transitioned away from meme rap. Pink Guy's music was characterized by its shock value and explicit lyrics, but Miller eventually abandoned this persona to focus on his more serious music career as Joji.^[3]

After a few years, the term "Meme Rap" also became an insult towards upcoming DIY rap music and artists; this use was heavy on the 4chan board /mu/ (Music) due to the constant spamming of said artists. The term has since become popular to attack popular underground artists rather than focusing on artists who focus on comedic rap occasionally or continually.^[4] However, this is not the subject of the page.

Decline[]

The long-term sustainability of meme rap as a foundation for a successful music career remains questionable. The decline of artists like MC Virgins, who went from 2 million monthly listeners to 800,000 in two years, exemplifies the artistic difficulties of those who depend on popularity derived from memes. MC Virgins' decline can be attributed to several factors, including inconsistent releases, difficulties with sample clearance, and a struggle to pivot away from their meme-based image while retaining their fanbase. Their attempt to release more "serious" music under the name MC Virgins was met with lukewarm reception.

Other artists, like Young Nugget and Shotgun Willy, also attempted to distance themselves from their meme rap origins. Young Nugget created an entirely new persona, Andrew Garden, to pursue a more serious music career, while Shotgun Willy gradually evolved his style away from meme rap, achieving moderate success. These examples showcase the diverse paths taken by meme rappers seeking to establish long-term careers in the music industry.

Despite the occasional mainstream breakthrough, meme rap often struggles to achieve lasting success, as seen in the cases of artists like Lil Boom, whose career was marred by controversy and a decline in popularity. Lil Boom's downfall was precipitated by his involvement in several scandals, including allegations of sexual harassment, which led to a loss of reputation and fanbase.

The history of meme rap also reveals the diverse motivations and creative processes behind its artists. Yung Craka, for instance, turned to music creation after his attempts to monetize his popularity from running meme accounts on Twitter proved unsuccessful. This demonstrates how meme rap can serve as an alternative path to online recognition and creative expression. Yuno Miles, in contrast, has managed to maintain relevance despite the decline of meme rap's peak popularity. His continued success can be attributed to his ability to adapt and evolve his style, incorporating elements of trap and mainstream hip-hop while retaining his comedic and meme-inspired lyrics. This suggests that longevity within meme rap is possible for those who can adapt their music and reach more listeners.

The Roblox bypassed audios scene experienced a significant decline in 2022 when the platform announced changes to its audio privacy settings. On March 22, 2022, all audio files longer than six seconds were set to private, with the exception of audio uploaded by specific developers.^[5] This change meant that most bypassed audios became inaccessible to the Roblox community, effectively curbing the spread and impact of meme rap within the platform. This also coincided with a shift in listener preferences; many former fans of the genre argue that their disinterest in meme rap stemmed from simply growing older and maturing beyond its juvenile humor and shock value. This perspective suggests that meme rap's appeal is largely concentrated among younger audiences, typically between the ages of 9 and 15.

Furthermore, the oversaturation and commercialization of meme rap played a role in its decline. As record labels and even corporations like Wendy's and Hamburger Helper capitalized on the trend, the genre's perceived authenticity and originality diminished. The influx of commercial meme rap arguably tarnished its reputation, contributing to its decline in popularity.

Visuals[]

The visual aesthetic of meme rap, much like its lyrical themes, prioritizes online virality and shock value. Music videos and online content often feature bizarre, surreal, and low-quality imagery, including distorted or heavily edited visuals that match the genre's lo-fi sound. Visuals are frequently abrasive or crude.

Artists use various techniques in their visuals. Music videos may include rapid cuts, distorted filters, and amateur editing. Cartoonish animations, referencing memes or anime, are common. Lyrics are sometimes displayed in crude or exaggerated fonts. Green screen and low-budget special effects are also frequently used.

A common visual trend is the blend of gangster culture with anime, especially adult-oriented content. This style combines images of gangsters, rappers, and controversial figures with moe anime characters, usually female, in edits, graffiti, and artwork. Anime samples and visuals are also integrated into meme rap and hip-hop songs. This visual fusion aims to create a stark contrast between these cultural elements.

Videos featuring the Doge meme character singing meme rap songs are prevalent, both in fan-made and official capacities. For example, the popular YouTube video "Le lalala has arrived." features Doge singing "Lalala" by Y2K and bbno$, while "Shotgun Willy x Yung Craka - Breakfast in Heaven," which also features Doge, is an official release. Similar edits featuring dancing mascots are also common, such as the "No one asked" edit by sc6ut, which features a raccoon-like mascot dancing to a song with lyrics featuring "YNG Martyr - Nike Ticks." The visual aspect of meme rap is designed to be shared and to quickly capture attention, aiming for rapid but temporary fame.

Music[]

Characteristics[]

Shock value is a central theme in meme rap lyrics, often used to provoke reactions and gain attention. This is evident in the frequent use of sexually explicit lyrics, often delivered crudely or in an exaggerated manner. Graphic descriptions of sexual acts, objectification of women, and vulgar language are common. Examples include Yung Craka's "Buy U" with lyrics like "Each day I fuck a hoe" and Shotgun Willy's "Wendy" with lines like "Cash go fast, spend it on Wendy 'cause she throw it back."

Meme rap also often satirically addresses taboo subjects, such as incest, pedophilia, sex offenses, and violence. This is seen in songs like MC Virgins' "Family Strokes," which contains controversial lyrics about incestuous relationships. Dark humor is also prevalent, with jokes about death, suicide, and mental illness. An early influence on this trend could've been the 2009 song "Sex Offender Shuffle" by Scott Gairdner. Some criticize this practice for trivializing sexual assault and reducing it to a mere joke.

Separate from this, another common theme is the parodying of otaku/weeaboo culture. Many artists satirize this subculture by singing about being in love with anime characters, often while simultaneously referring to themselves as virgins. This is also evident in MC Virgins' "Anime Thighs," with lyrics like "Now I'm sighing 'cause I want Hatsune Miku, now I'm crying." This can also include an art style that features cute anime characters juxtaposed with real-life figures.^[6]

Nonsensical and absurd lyrics are another characteristic, often delivered with comedic or ironic intent, as seen in Pink Guy's "Meme Machine" with lines like "I eat the memes, I shit the memes."

Notably, the juxtaposition of child-like voices with juvenile or explicit lyrical content in some tracks also contributes to the genre's shock value and comedic effect. An example is Yung Spinach Cumshot's "Subway Sexists," where a high-pitched, almost childlike vocal delivery is paired with lyrics about sexual offenses and vulgarity.

Another key characteristic of meme rap lyrics is the abundance of references to pop culture. This can include references to movies, TV shows, video games, anime, and internet memes. These references are often used in a humorous or ironic way, and they can serve to create a sense of relatability for listeners. Examples include Shotgun Willy's "Wendy," which references the fast-food chain Wendy's, or MC Virgin's "Anime Thighs," which references popular anime characters and series such as Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.

The use of samples is prevalent in meme rap, often drawing from familiar sources like children's shows, video games, and commercials. This practice adds to the comedic and often absurd nature of the genre. Examples include Yung Craka's "Buy U" and Lil Boom's "Caillou," which both sample the Caillou theme song, "i stole a roblox account" by 5L, which samples a song from Wii Play, and Yung Gravy's "Mr. Clean," which samples "Mr. Sandman" by The Chordettes. The juxtaposition of familiar, traditionally child-friendly melodies with inappropriate or explicit lyrics creates a jarring and unexpected effect, reminiscent of YTP and MLG parodies.

It's important to note that many themes in meme rap are exaggerations or parodies of common gangsta rap and trap stereotypes. For example, boasting about sexual conquests, drug use, and material wealth are frequent topics in meme rap, often taken to an absurd or comedic extreme. This self-aware exaggeration of established rap tropes is a key element of the genre's humor.

Shock value can be a form of rebellion or used to create humor, albeit often dark or offensive. Shock value is effective for attracting online attention, but it can also be a source of criticism. Some argue it indicates immaturity or a lack of artistic substance, while others defend it as creative expression and a challenge to societal norms. Regardless of perspective, shock value is a defining characteristic of meme rap lyrics.

Subcategories[]

Meme rap can be broadly categorized into several subcategories, although these distinctions are often subjective and fluid. These proposed subcategories are taken from a Rate Your Music list compiled by user TheDankestMeme37:^[7]

Ironic Meme Rap: This subcategory is characterized by its intentionally poor production quality and obnoxious lyrical content. It often features excessive distortion, screaming vocals, and lyrics that are intentionally edgy, strange, or cliché. The appeal of this style lies in its "so bad it's good" aesthetic, where the music is enjoyed for its over-the-top absurdity and not its artistic value.
Conventional Meme Rap: This subcategory is more musically conventional than Ironic Meme Rap. It often features accessible trap beats, decent mixing and mastering, and lyrics that focus on charisma and personality rather than just shock value. This style can sometimes blur the lines between meme music and serious music, as seen in the work of artists like Yung Gravy and bbno$. A prime example is Yung Gravy's "Betty (Get Money)," which achieved mainstream success through its viral popularity on TikTok and its sampling of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up."
Standard Meme Rap: This subcategory represents the most typical form of meme rap. It often involves sampling and looping popular TV show themes, movie soundtracks, or other recognizable songs. The lyrics typically revolve around traditional meme rap topics like anime, movies, video games, and sex.

Musical Artists[]

3Pac
bbno$
Big Baller B
Cal Chuchesta
Hentai Dude
Hood Guy
Joey Trap
Lil B
Lil Barnacle
Lil Boom
Lil Cockpump
Lil Float
Lil Mosquito Disease
Lil Ricefield
London Yellow
MC Virgins
ovg!
Pink Guy (aka Filthy Frank)
ReptileLegit
Roy Purdy
SHIKI-TMNS
Shotgun Willy
Slump AK
Submarine Man
Tiny Meat Gang (aka TMG)
Travis Scotch
Ugly God
XANAKIN SKYWOK
Young Nut
Yun Head
Yung Craka
Yung Nugget
Yung Schmoobin
Yung Spinach Cumshot
Yuno Miles
Zack Fox

Songs[]

"Anime Thighs" by MC Virgins
"Betty (Get Money)" by Yung Gravy
"Breakfast in Heaven" by Shotgun Willy x Yung Craka
"Buy U" by Yung Craka
"Caillou" by Lil Boom
"Caught Lackin" by Yung Nugget
"Cheat Codes for Hoes" by Shotgun Willy x TRAQULA
"Default Dance" by Iceboy Ben
"drink my piss you nasty slut yeah yeah" by Lil Darkie
"Genie" by XANAKIN SKYWOK
"Help" by Pink Guy
"It's Everyday Bro" by Jake Paul
"i stole a roblox account" by 5L
"JoJo Pose" by Apollo Fresh
"Kony 2012 (Joseph Kony Diss Track)" by Yung Nugget
"KRUSTY KREW ANTHEM (BACK ON THE GRILL)" by Kash Krabs ft. Oddwin, Sauceward
"Lalala" by Y2K ft. bbno$
"Meme Machine" by Pink Guy
"Mia Khalifa" by iLOVEFRiDAY
"Mr. Clean" by Yung Gravy
"Mr. Money Bags" by Shotgun Willy
"Nike Ticks" by YNG Martyr
"Oreo" by Shotgun Willy ft. Yung Craka
"Sesame Street" by Joey Trap
"She's So Nice" by Pink Guy
"So What?" by Shotgun Willy
"Stfu" by Pink Guy
"Subway Sexists" by Yung Spinach Cumshot
"The Brits are coming" by MTSG
"Thick N*ggas & Anime Tiddies" by DBangz
"Trap Anthem" by MC Virgins
"Trapanese" by lil ricefield
"TRENCHBOY" by Gutterboysouz
"Virginity Syndrome" by ovg!
"Welcome To The Cum Zone" by OblivionFall
"Wendy" by Shotgun Willy
"Wii TENNIS" by SPLASH DADDY
"You Respoted in the Wrong Neighborhood" by Shokk

Criticism[]

Meme Rap has faced criticism due to its disruptive nature, particularly within online gaming platforms such as Roblox and Discord. The genre's prevalence has led to instances of unsolicited and often jarring music being played within these virtual spaces. Furthermore, some meme rap tracks have been criticized for going too far with their shock value. Certain artists, such as MC Virgins, have been criticized for lyrics that address sensitive subjects like incest, exemplified by lines such as "until I saw my step-sis and she gave me a boner." Additionally, some meme rap songs have been accused of containing lyrical content that jokes about pedophilia, with references to lolis (child-like fictional characters in anime) and lines such as "she's only five" cited as examples. The overuse of racial or ableist slurs in specific meme rap songs has also drawn criticism.