Language

Hip hop has a distinctive slang.  Due to hip hop's commercial success in the late nineties and early 21st century, many of these words have been assimilated into the cultural discourse of many different dialects across America and the world and even to non-hip hop fans. The word dis for example is remarkably prolific. There are also words like homie which predate hip hop but are often associated with the culture.

Sometimes, terms like what the dilly, yo are popularized by a single song (in this case, "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" by Busta Rhymes) and are only used briefly. One particular example is the rule-based slang of Snoop Dogg and E-40, who -izzle add -izz to the middle of words. This practice, with origins in Frankie Smith's nonsensical language from his 1980 single "Double Dutch Bus", has spread to even non-hip hop fans, who may be unaware of its derivation.