Have you ever heard the term "drip" and wondered what it means? This popular slang has become an anthem of style and swagger in the streets and beyond. But what exactly is "drip"? And why is it making such a splash in popular culture? Welcome to your definitive guide to understanding "drip" - the word that’s adding a dash of color to the worlds of fashion, music, and the Ohio Drip community.
What Does 'Drip' Mean?
In modern slang, "drip" signifies an aura of confidence, style, and appeal. When you've got "drip," you're commanding attention with your unique style.
So when someone says, "You've got drip," they mean you're exuding a cool, unique style at a high-level. More specifically, it can describe clothes or accessories as in "Just bought some new drip." Or you can say, "I see you dripping bro!" - to let someone know you like their fit.
"Drip" is synonymous with confidence and personal style. It's about owning your look and feeling like a billion bucks. Drip is your personal brand of swag and it’s as individual as you are.
As with any term - especially one that takes an existing word and redefines it - it's difficult to pinpoint when exactly it started or who used it first. While "drip" isn't exactly new, it has taken hold in a major way in popular songs and tv shows.
Drip in Pop Culture
"Drip" is making its presence known in pop culture, and it's not shy about it. It's clear that drip transcends fashion; it's a state of mind.
Several musicians have woven "drip" into their lyrics, reflecting its prominence in urban style and identity. For instance, Cardi B in her hit song "Drip" sings, "Came through drippin' (drip drip)."
The lyrics website Genius.com says a Houston rapper named Sauce Walka claims to be the originator of the word in its current form. In an excerpt from the article titled, "How Drip Became Hip-Hop's Most Used Slang Term in 2018,"Sauce Walka explains:
Sauce Walka takes credit for the modern use of the word. Dating back to their 2014 Saucemania mixtape, Walka and his Sauce Family crew have used it as a derivative of “sauce.”
Walka gave his interpretation of “drip” in an interview with Genius. “To drip is to be a king,” he explains. “To drip is to be a winner.”
Offset and Cardi B use the term to refer to their diamonds and wealth, while Atlanta rapper Gunna told Billboard that “drip” refers to fashion:
Drip is your attire, the clothes you wear. My drip today man, I got on a Saint Laurent hoodie, some Balmain’s and some Chanel shoes because it’s Friday. I drip every day, all week, but weekends I’m really putting that shit on. I might wear a $10,000 outfit on a weekend, no
cap .
Some people say it started with Famous Dex in Chicago on his 2015 breakout track, “Drip From My Walk,”
Famous Dex previously acknowledged Walka as inspiration for using the word.
Migos has taken credit for “drip” as well.
LetsLearnSlang.com says, "Drip was first used in the early 2000s in the Atlanta rap scene." While UrbanDictionary.com claims it started in New Jersey.
The first time I heard it casually used in a sentence was in 2018. I was at the Worthington Rec center in Columbus, Ohio playing basketball with some friends (wheelchair came in 2019). It was a crispy day outside weather-wise, so I had on this purple and grey, sherpa-style Patagonia zip-up. I was putting it on to leave after and bro walks up to me like, "I like that fleece bro, that shit is drippin."
They way he said it - billion dollar confidence took over.
Drip, Swag, and Rizz: The Style Trinity
While "drip," "swag," and "rizz" might seem interchangeable, each word carries its own weight in the fashion vernacular. "Swag" is about your entire persona, a swagger that permeates everything you do. "Rizz,"actually comes from the word charisma - and means someone's ability to flirt and be charming, especially for their verbal communication while pursuing a romantic interest. The term can be used as a noun or verb, depending on the sentence.
"Drip," on the other hand, is more nuanced. It's about the details that set you apart. You might have a killer outfit (swag), and know how to work it (rizz), but the drip comes in when you pair that ensemble with the perfect accessory - like a pair of Ohio Drip socks.
Drip has a lot of versatility as a word.
You can "put on drip everyday from the flo' up" like Lil Baby in his song Low Down - one of me and Kelsey's favorite songs.
You can go buy some drip.
You can drip on em at the function.
And we all know someone with no drip who could use a little help from us at Ohio Drip.
Drip also refers to our unique ice dyeing process, where vibrant dyes "drip" through fabric to create one-of-a-kind patterns. Our clothes are a physical embodiment of "drip" in both senses of the word – a blend of head-turning style and artisanal craft.
There you have it, the definitive guide to understanding "drip". Remember, everyone has their own unique drip. It's about owning your style and feeling confident in your skin. So next time you slip on a pair of Ohio Drip socks, remember, you're not just adding to your outfit, you're adding to your drip.
