Go Flo
YOLO is an acronym for "you only live once". Similar to carpe diem or memento mori, it implies that one should enjoy life, even if that entails taking risks. The phrase and acronym are used in youth culture and music. The phrase and acronym were popularized by the song "The Motto" by Canadian rapper Drake.
Contents [hide]
1 Background
2 Use in music
3 In youth culture
4 Criticism
5 References
Background
The phrase "you only live once" is commonly attributed to Mae West,[1][2] but variations of the phrase have been in use for over 100 years,[3] including as far back as (the German equivalent of) "one lives but once in the world" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in his 1774 play Clavigo[4] and as the title of a waltz, "Man lebt nur einmal!" ("You Only Live Once!") by Johann Strauss II in 1855.
A restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida has held the trademark to the phrase "YOLO" since 2010.[5][6]
Use in music
The phrase was popularized by rappers Drake and Rick Ross, who planned to release a joint mixtape entitled YOLO.[7] To promote this mixtape, "YOLO" was mentioned prominently on several of their tracks such as "The Motto", with the aim of promoting the tape. This use has elevated the word into prominence and common colloquial use.[8] Recently Drake claimed to want royalties due to the proliferation of merchandise bearing the phrase and lyrics from his song, which have been commonly seen at stores such as Walgreens and Macys.[9][5]
Hip-hop magazine Da South reported that the rapper Lecrae has deconstructed the phrase "YOLO" in his song "No Regrets".[10]
The popular comedy band The Lonely Island, released a song titled "YOLO" parodying the phrase, and the people who say it. "YOLO" features singer Adam Levine and rapper Kendrick Lamar. The song has charted in many countries including #60 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In youth culture
The phrase has achieved currency in youth culture. For example, a high school prank in Chicago, Illinois involved high
Contents [hide]
1 Background
2 Use in music
3 In youth culture
4 Criticism
5 References
Background
The phrase "you only live once" is commonly attributed to Mae West,[1][2] but variations of the phrase have been in use for over 100 years,[3] including as far back as (the German equivalent of) "one lives but once in the world" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in his 1774 play Clavigo[4] and as the title of a waltz, "Man lebt nur einmal!" ("You Only Live Once!") by Johann Strauss II in 1855.
A restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida has held the trademark to the phrase "YOLO" since 2010.[5][6]
Use in music
The phrase was popularized by rappers Drake and Rick Ross, who planned to release a joint mixtape entitled YOLO.[7] To promote this mixtape, "YOLO" was mentioned prominently on several of their tracks such as "The Motto", with the aim of promoting the tape. This use has elevated the word into prominence and common colloquial use.[8] Recently Drake claimed to want royalties due to the proliferation of merchandise bearing the phrase and lyrics from his song, which have been commonly seen at stores such as Walgreens and Macys.[9][5]
Hip-hop magazine Da South reported that the rapper Lecrae has deconstructed the phrase "YOLO" in his song "No Regrets".[10]
The popular comedy band The Lonely Island, released a song titled "YOLO" parodying the phrase, and the people who say it. "YOLO" features singer Adam Levine and rapper Kendrick Lamar. The song has charted in many countries including #60 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In youth culture
The phrase has achieved currency in youth culture. For example, a high school prank in Chicago, Illinois involved high