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Has someone asked you to be their "ride or die" but you want to know where you're going, if you can stop for snacks along the way, and why you have to die? The good news is, this is just a metaphor, and no one's actually facing death. We're here to fill you in on the meaning, origin, and usage of this slang term and why it's so popular on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Let's dive in.
Things You Should Know
- “Ride or die” refers to someone who’s always there for you, through the highs and the lows. Someone you can rely on is called your “ride or die.”
- “Ride or die chick” is a term commonly used in hip-hop circles to describe a fiercely loyal female partner.
- Use “ride or die” to describe your closest friends, or use it to describe how devoted you are to something or someone, e.g., “I’m ride or die for her.”
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Where “Ride or Die” Came From
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“Ride or die” is most likely a nod to the crime duo Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie and Clyde were a romantic criminal pair active in the ‘30s. Together they executed a number of high-profile robberies. In 1934, they were infamously apprehended and killed by the FBI while attempting to escape by car.[4] The romanticized image of a pair of lovers running from the law only to be separated by death is likely the inspiration for the contemporary term “ride or die.”[5]
The term might also borrow inspiration from motorcycle culture. Motorcycle enthusiasts or members of biker clubs cultivate fierce loyalty to other members of the club, as well as to the biker lifestyle.[6] They likely picked up the term “ride or die” from hip-hop culture and adapted it to their own scene.- In this context, “ride or die” tends to mean something like, “I’d rather die than not be able to ride my motorcycle.”
The phrase may have been coined by the rapper Baby Gangsta in 1997. In the late ‘90s, Baby Gangsta (or “B.G.”) released the song “Ride or Die,” featuring Lil Wayne and Juvenile. Many fans acknowledge this as one of the earliest, if not the earliest, uses of the term in hip-hop music. The song describes the various exploits of the rapper and his close group of friends.[7]- “Ride or die” was then further popularized by Jay-Z in 1998 when he released his own cover of B.G.’s hit.
"Ride or die" was likely popularized by Jay-Z and Beyoncé. In 2002, the famous hip hop duo released “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde,” a song that described the loyal and unbreakable relationship between the two artists, proclaiming how both are “down to ride ‘til the very end.”[8] After the song was released, “ride or die” was swept into pop culture, where fans used it to describe their romantic partners or best friends.
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Some have pointed out that the concept of a “ride-or-die chick” may be unfair or harmful to women, who are expected to play second-fiddle or be subservient to their male counterparts. This is especially relevant in discussions of hip-hop culture.[14]Thanks
- Others have pointed out that ride-or-die relationships of any sort can quickly become unhealthy or codependent, as one or both people feel pressure to remain loyal to the other despite their better judgment.[15]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://socialself.com/blog/ride-die-friend/
- ↑ https://madamenoire.com/835529/actually-means-ride-die-chick/
- ↑ https://www.braaapjunkie.com/origin-story-ride-or-die/
- ↑ https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/bonnie-and-clyde
- ↑ https://therideordieproject.com/about/what-is-a-ride-or-die-chick/
- ↑ https://therideordieproject.com/about/what-is-a-ride-or-die-chick/
- ↑ https://www.braaapjunkie.com/origin-story-ride-or-die/
- ↑ https://madamenoire.com/835529/actually-means-ride-die-chick/
- ↑ https://socialself.com/blog/ride-die-friend/
- ↑ https://www.scarymommy.com/ride-or-die-friend-2
- ↑ https://www.scarymommy.com/ride-or-die-friend-2
- ↑ https://socialself.com/blog/ride-die-friend/
- ↑ https://socialself.com/blog/ride-die-friend/
- ↑ https://urbanbellemag.com/2010/09/07/the-problem-with-the-ride-or-die-chick/
- ↑ https://goodmenproject.com/sex-relationships/is-your-relationship-ride-or-die-bbab/
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