The term “boujee” has become quite popular in recent years, especially in hip hop culture and among young people. But where did it come from and is it actually a “black” word? Let’s take a closer look at the origins and meaning of boujee.
What Does Boujee Mean?
The slang term “boujee” is a variant spelling of “bougie” which means “bourgeois.” It refers to something or someone who is fancy, aspirational, and luxurious. For example:
- “I can’t afford to eat at that boujee restaurant.”
- “Her designer shoes and handbag are so boujee.”
- “He’s been acting boujee ever since he got that raise at work.”
So in summary, boujee describes someone or something that is high-class, sophisticated, and aiming to emulate the upper echelons of society. It has a hint of materialism and can sometimes have negative connotations of being pretentious or elitist.
Origins of “Boujee”
The word “boujee” emerged in hip hop culture in the early 2010s, but its roots trace back further. The original form of the word is “bourgeois.”
Bourgeois Background
“Bourgeois” dates back to medieval times and originally referred to the middle class in France who were neither nobility nor peasants. Over time, the meaning evolved:
- 18th century: Used to describe the social class between peasants and nobility
- 19th century: Associations with materialism and conspicuous consumption emerge
- 20th century: Becomes strongly associated with the conspicuous consumption of the middle and upper-middle classes
So already by the 1900s, “bourgeois” had connotations of aspirational consumerism and keeping up with fashions and trends.
AAVE Origins
In the mid-20th century, the word was adopted into African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and shortened to “boogie.” It was used to refer to someone who was pretentious or trying to rise above their expected social station.
By the 1990s, the variant “bougie” emerged. This form gained prominence over “bourgeois” or “boogie” in hip hop lyrics and black culture. Artists like Outkast and Brandy were some of the first to use “bougie” in popular music.
Mainstream Slang Status
“Bougie” was cemented in the early 2010s as a fashionable slang term in mainstream culture by artists like Lady Gaga and Kesha. Around the same time, the spelling “boujee” also came into use.
While “bougie” is still most common, “boujee” has appeared widely from rap lyrics to tweets and memes. But regardless of spelling, the meaning remains the same – fancy, aspirational, and consumerist.
Is “Boujee” a Black Word?
Given its origins and evolution through hip hop and AAVE, “boujee” is widely considered to have strong associations with black culture. However, there are differing perspectives on whether it can be claimed as a uniquely black cultural term.
Arguments For
There are several reasons why “boujee” can be viewed as a “black word”:
- Coined by black Americans transforming “bourgeois” into new slang
- Emerged from hip hop and AAVE, not mainstream White English
- Used widely by Black artists, influencers, and communities prior to mainstream
- Remains most heavily associated with black media, hip hop culture, and young black consumers
Proponents argue the word’s history and genesis in black culture make it fundamentally a part of the Black American vernacular.
Arguments Against
However, there are also counter-arguments that “boujee” should not be claimed solely by black culture:
- “Bourgeois” has origins in medieval French, not African American culture
- It has now crossed over into mainstream slang used by all ethnicities
- The concept behind boujee is aspirational consumerism, which is not limited to one culture
- Claiming sole ownership could be viewed as limiting acceptable use of a cultural term
These arguments posit that no culture can claim definitive ownership over a slang term, particularly one derived from an existing word like “bourgeois.” Its widespread modern use makes it mainstream vernacular.
Conclusion
Overall, “boujee” clearly has strong roots within Black American culture and hip hop but has evolved into a flexible cultural slang term. It may not be definitively “owned” by any one culture.
Rather than arguing whether boujee is a black word or not, a more productive view may be appreciating the nuances of cross-cultural sharing that create modern slang. Elements of AAVE expanding into mainstream culture does not negate black influence. But policing usage of cultural terms can also promote division.
In the end, language constantly evolves through exchange between cultures. Words like “boujee” reveal the complex creative dynamics at play in the development of modern vernacular.
Modern Usage of “Boujee”
While debates continue around its origins, “boujee” has cemented itself as a staple in the lexicon of current slang across ethnic groups. Let’s look at how it’s commonly used in 21st century speech and pop culture.
Pop Culture References
“Boujee” pops up regularly in song lyrics, especially rap and hip hop. For example:
- In the hit song “Bad and Boujee” by hip hop group Migos
- Lady Gaga’s lyrics “I can be anything, I’m just boujee like that” in A-YO
- Drake’s verse “Why all my products boujee but still invite the hood through?” in Want to Want Me
It also appears across black television and movies as a cultural touchstone, like Donald Glover’s award-winning hit show Atlanta.
Branding and Marketing
The term is also leveraged extensively for branding and marketing. There are restaurants, events, and products promoted using “boujee” to evoke sophistication and luxury. Some examples:
- Boujee Biscuit Co. restaurant in Los Angeles
- “Boujee on a Budget” themed parties and brunches
- Makeup and fashion lines like Too Faced’s “Boujee Bae” collection
This connects back to the original bourgeois and consumerist connotations of the word. Brands use it to stylishly sell luxury experiences.
Lifestyle and Trends
More broadly, “boujee” has become part of the lexicon around aspirational living and consumption. For example:
- Content creators sharing “boujee” morning routines, home decor, and food
- Reviews describing products, services or locations as “boujee” to denote higher class experiences
- People labeling their own lifestyle and aesthetic choices as “boujee”
So in lifestyle contexts, boujee ties closely to indulgent experiences and materialism.
Class Signifier
Given its roots in wealth and status, “boujee” is also sometimes used as a class signifier:
- Describing wealthy people, neighborhoods, etc. as “boujee”
- Using “boujee” casually or as an insult to mean pretentious
- Commenting “that’s so boujee” on extravagant purchases or behaviors
This reflects the dual facets of the term – aspirational yet with a subtle negative judgment on pretense and materialism.
Quotable Slang
Like many cultural slang terms, “boujee” is often quoted and parodied on social media for humor and fun:
- Memes riffing off Migos’ lyrics “My whip so boujee, My jewelry too boujee”
- Adding “boujee” to random words in TikTok songs and videos
- Using #boujee on Instagram show off luxury hallmarks like vacations and shopping sprees
As with most viral terms, social media transforms “boujee” into shareable moments of pop culture and comedy. This further spreads the word to new audiences.
Analyzing the Usage of “Boujee” in Rap Lyrics
Rap and hip hop lyrics provide a valuable cultural record of slang terms like “boujee.” By analyzing its usage in songs over time, we can see how the connotations of the word have evolved. Let’s examine some key examples.
Early Uses
In the 1990s, “bougie” began appearing in rap as a shorthand for bourgeois and behavior seen as pretentious. For example:
- Outkast’s 1993 lyric “Player hater, bougie and delayed”
- Goodie Mob’s 1995 song “Cell Therapy” saying “But bougie and boofed up, In the Saab 9000, Is how ya’ll be” to call out pretense
These early uses focused on ridiculing perceived pretense among newly wealthy blacks.
Mainstream Crossover
In the 2000s, “bougie” crossed over more into mainstream rap references to luxury living. For example:
- Kanye West’s 2004 hit “The New Workout Plan” namechecking high-end brands like Louis Vuitton and Lexus as status symbols
- Lil Wayne 2008 track “Mr. Carter” saying “I’m so bougie I’m so fabulous, I’m so fabulous that’s why I live so fabulous”
This reflected growing aspirational wealth in hip hop and associations between “bougie” and affluent lifestyle.
Modern Evolution
Recently “boujee” connotations have evolved again into more varied meanings. For example:
- Migos 2016 viral hit “Bad and Boujee” ties it back to humble roots saying “My momma was raised in the era when/Clean water was only served to the fairer skin”
- The Carters’ 2018 song “Boss” uses “boujee” to mean generally excellent, rapping “My great great grandchildren already rich/That’s a lot of brown children on your Forbes list”
Now “boujee” has come full circle with less focus on pretentiousness and more general usage as an aspiration and term of praise.
Summary of Analysis
Looking at usage over time shows how cultural connotations of “boujee” have shifted:
| Era | Connotations |
|---|---|
| 1990s | Pretentiousness and arrogance |
| 2000s | Wealth flaunting and status symbols |
| 2010s | Aspirational yet accessible, term of praise |
This evolving usage highlights how cultural slang adapts to different generational perspectives and contexts while retaining its core essence.
Conclusion
The slang term “boujee” has a fascinating history intertwined with concepts of wealth, consumption and class. While its exact origins are debated, it clearly emerged from African American vernacular and hip hop culture. However, it has now evolved beyond its initial context into a flexible cultural buzzword.
Despite early associations with pretentiousness, modern usage of “boujee” evokes aspirational living and a touch of luxury. It has truly become part of the mainstream cultural lexicon. But its lasting ubiquity and appeal stem from its subtle undertones reminding us that discretion still matters, even in materialism. In the end, boujee is here to stay as a cultural signifier that shapes how we experience everything from music to food to lifestyle. Its ability to shift so fluidly demonstrates the delight and depth of modern slang.