“Thug life”: What does that mean? Simply explained

Especially in rap circles but also increasingly in YouTube videos “thug life” is becoming a common expression. However, the meaning of this expression is not known to everybody. We’ll tell you what’s behind it. 

“Thug Life” – The Meaning

• Thug Life was a hip-hop music group founded by rap legend Tupac.
• As Tupac himself explained, this is an acronym that stands for “The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody”.
• This means that society harms itself and everyone if it does not love its youngest members.
• Nowadays, however, the term is often translated as “gangster life” or “criminal life”, since “thug” is a term that means “gangster” or refers to somebody who beats up people.
• This is why the term is so popular among rappers: in this context “thug life” usually refers to a hard life between drugs, violence and prison.
• By the way: Animals can also lead such a “thug life”. Animal thug life compilations have become a real internet phenomenon on YouTube.