Image via Complex Original
Poet laureate and pop princess Taylor Swift is in the process of trademarking various lyrics from her blockbuster album 1989. As reported earlier, this is likely in preparation for Camp Swift's upcoming world tour, where bloodthirsty fans will spend weeks of lunch money and their entire month's allowance on merchandise featuring phrases like "This Sick Beat," "Nice to Meet You. Where You Been?," "Party Like It's 1989," "Could Show You Incredible Things," and "Swiftstakes."
We are big Taylor Swift fans here at Complex, and this news got us thinking about that time Drizzy started suing people for using #YOLO, and other lyrics in the rap pantheon that are especially worthy of trademark status. These are the catchphrases that are so memorable that they've become a part of our popular lexicon. There are many such phrases, especially in rap, but here are 10 that have major merchandising potential.
Lauretta Charlton and Justin Charity are staff writers at Complex. Follow them @laurettaland and @brothernumpsa.
"At the Same Damn Time!"
Artist: Future
Song: "Same Damn Time"
Album: Pluto (2012)
Merchandising potential: Kenmore washer-dryer combo units
"Bitch, You Guessed It!"
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"
Artist: Rich Homie Quan
Song: “Type of Way”
Album: Still Goin In (2013)
Merchandising potential: Anti-depressants
"Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe"
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!"
Artist: Kanye West
Song: "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
Album: Graduation (2007)
Merchandising potential: Hearing aids
"I'm in Love With the Coco!"
Artist: O.T. Genasis
Song: “CoCo”
Album: n/a
Merchandising potential: Commercial jingle for Nestle Hot Cocoa Mix
"Fuck tha Police"
Artist: N.W.A
Song: "Fuck tha Police"
Album: Straight Outta Compton (1988)
Merchandising potential: NYPD online dating service
"Push It Real Good"
Artist: Salt-n-Pepa
Song: “Push It”
Album: I Am Down (1987)
Merchandising potential: Lawn mowers, Swiffer wipes, baby strollers, and walkers
"I Don't Want to Be a Player No More"
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"
Artist: Wu-Tang Clan
Song: "C.R.E.A.M."
Album: Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers (1993)
Merchandising Potential: TurboTax and other such accounting services; Venmo, Paypal, and other such microtransaction apps; personal finance programs at community colleges; financial management and consulting services