Hip-Hop Acronyms and "Backronyms": What the Names "Mean"
The March 2008 issue of Blender (yes, it still exists) has two pages that identifies hip-hop acronyms and backronyms – “names with slightly goofy ‘meanings’ tacked on after the fact.” I didn’t know about any of these, so I actually thought they were pretty cool!
This was a two paragraph blurb, so in no means is this a feature article in this issue that features a photoshopped nakey Britney on the cover (holler!).
They start out with some legit abbreviations after a reader asked about Wu-Tang standing for “Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game”:
N.W.A.: N!ggas With Attitude
B.D.P.: Boogie Down Productions
Then they get into these “backronyms,” which are acronyms that the hip-hoppers create well after the fact.
DMC: Used to say these initials stood for “Devastating Mic Controller,” but it’s just short for his name Darryl McDaniels (I do like Devastating Mic Controller. It’s fresh, yo.).
KRS-One: Comes from the name Kris, not from “Knowledge Reigns Surpreme Over Nearly Everyone.” (If you took out the “nearly,” this would be kind of cool)
Beastie Boys: “Boys Entering Anarchistic States Toward Inner Excellence.” (I finished grad school and I have absolutely no idea what this means)
Ja Rule: “Jeffrey Atkins Represents Unconditional Love’s Existence” (AHAHAHA!!)
Memphis Bleek: “Makin’ Easy Money Pimpin’ Ho’s in Style” (………)
Notorious B.I.G.: “Business Instead of Game” (Isn’t B.I.G. just spelling out big? You know, because he was a big guy?
They spoke to Mims, whose debut album is called M.I.M.S – Music Is My Savior, but he clarified that Mims is just his last name – Shawn Mims.
So my favorite rapper NaS has transformed into Nastradamus and used the phrase NaS – “N!ggas against Society,” on his God’s Son album, but I’m pretty sure that he just cut his name Nasir short because that’s what everyone called him.
I got to thinking, what other secret acronyms are out there that make as much sense as some of these?
Busta Rhymes: Bring Ur Stupid Tush And Ride Home You Might Eat Scampi
P. Diddy: Prada, Don’t I Do Dat Yo?
Jay-Z: Jalapenos and Yellow Zebras
3 Six Mafia: 3 Silent Incomparable Xylophones Make a Fortress Into Apathy
J-Kwon: Jelly Kroissants Want Out Now
Bow Wow: Bring On Willie Wonka or Waldo
Lil Romeo: Like (a) Little Rapper Or Maybe Enormous Origami
Thank you for the knowledge, Blender.
i think this is my favorite blog posting evar.
many lols.
Ja Rule is such a douche.