Thanks to Drake , the phrase YOLO has been overused to the point of being obnoxious on just about every platform imaginable, and so Walgreens and Macy’s decided to get in on the “fun” by introducing hats and t-shirts bearing the phrase.
As it turns out, Drake isn’t too happy about that.
On Christmas Eve, Drake uploaded two pictures to his Instagram account of YOLO hats and shirts from Walgreens and Macy’s, respectively. He wasn’t happy about either, saying that both companies “gotta either chill or cut the cheque.”
As Gawker points out , it’s unknown whether or not Drake actually has a trademark on the phrase YOLO–but a lot of people are certainly trying to get it.
In case you’ve somehow managed to avoid hearing the phrase until now, YOLO stands for “You Only Live Once.” Canadian rapper Drake is credited for popularizing the phrase, but internet meme compendium Know Your Meme attributes the first usage to Adam Mesh from “The Average Joe.”
The site claims that the phrase was first used during the third season of the NBC reality show. Some time afterwards, Mesh launched an entire “You Only Live Once” clothing line.
In a tweet earlier on this month (via Huffington Post ), Mesh said that the phrase was “meant as inspiration to live life to the fullest,” adding that he is “disappointed” in its current use.
@zoeeeeet When I created the word it was meant as inspiration to live life to the fullest. Disappointed in current use. I have moved on.
— Adam Mesh (@adammesh) December 10, 2012
Do you think that Drake has any right to profit off of YOLO merchandise?