Having been around since at least the late 1890s with the meaning of intoxication, the slang word “lit” was fading out of popular use. But then Hip-Hop came to the rescue.
Late 1990s Hip-Hop delivered the culture shock “lit” needed to stay relevant. But this time, the slang word moved to a different beat and rhythm, taking on new meanings.
Rap stars such as Nas and Camp Lo were using “lit” in their 90s hit songs, but it didn't just mean getting drunk. It also expressed excitement and excellence, breathing new life into an old term. The word fell out of popularity again in the early 2000s, but Hip-Hop was there to pick it right back up.
In the early 2010s, a new wave of Hip-Hop artists began using “lit” frequently, making it synonymous with the era. Artists like A$AP Rocky and Travis Scott helped start this wave that continues flowing today, and the word hasn’t fallen off since.
Our culture possesses a unique power that extends beyond our own circles, turning even the simplest things into mainstream phenomena. By harnessing this cultural power, we can transform our liberation into a truly lit future for us.