Young Money rapper Drake's popular "Y.O.L.O. (You Only Live Once)" catchphrase reportedly missed out earning the title of Oxford University Press' annual Word of the Year.
According to reports, Y.O.L.O. lost out to the popular term “gif.”
Each year Oxford University Press tracks how the English language is changing and chooses a word that best reflects the mood of the year. The publisher typically chooses separate British and American winners. This year’s American champion is “gif,” short for graphics interchange format, a common format for images on the Internet. Europe’s financial crisis lent the shortlisted word “Eurogeddon,” while technology produced “second screening” — watching TV while simultaneously using a computer, phone or tablet — and social media popularized the acronym “YOLO,” you only live once. (The Star)
Last September, West Coast hip-hop artist Marcus “Hopsin” Hopson took aim at the catchphrase.
And calling out others on their actions has been a trait the rapper has not shied away from since the releases of “Kill Her” and “Sag My Pants.” The latter is a song that pointing out the flaws in the messages received by fans and mentioning rappers such as Rick Ross and Drake, two responsible for the phrase “YOLO” (You Only Live Once), popular with young listeners. Hopsin admits the term does sound cool, but it offers people an excuse to be a part of activities that are anything but that. “Another reason to give everybody a reason to do something stupid and create something they can regret five or 10 years down the road,” said Hopsin. “‘Why did I do that? Why did I YOLO that hard and go to the club that night and get that girl pregnant? Why didn’t I use a condom?'” (Broward Palm Beach)
Hopsin’s words came weeks after up-and-coming rapper Inkky died from a fatal crash following a “Y.O.L.O.” tweet.
At a time when activists are calling for more responsibility in hip-hop, the genre finds itself under the microscope again. People are blaming “YOLO (You Only Live Once),” an expression popularized by Drake, for the death of five young men in Ontario, [California]. Ervin McKinness, who rapped as Inkky, thumbed several YOLO tweets before his death. McKinness and four other 20-somethings died in a drunk driving accident on Labor Day. Marquell Bogan (23), Dylan George (20), Jonathan Watson (21), and JaJuan Bennett (23) also died in the crash. (Rap About)
Reports have claimed Drizzy made the “You Only Live Once” catchphrase popular last year courtesy of his “The Motto” record.
“Drunk af going 120 drifting corners #F–kIt YOLO,” was posted at 1:19 AM Monday on the McKinness’ Twitter account (@ink2flashyy.) “YOLO” is the acronym for “You Only Live Once.” The four letters are often used on the social networking site. (Drake popularized the acronym on the track “The Motto.” “You only live once, that’s the motto, ni–a Yolo / We bout it every day, every day, every day / Like we sitting on the bench, ni–a we don’t really play ,” the Young Money MC raps on the track.) (VIBE)