The phrase Thug Life comes from 1990s West Coast hip-hop culture, most famously associated with Tupac Shakur, before becoming a widely shared internet meme in the mid-2010s. Short videos began adding the music, a pair of pixelated sunglasses, and the words Thug Life to otherwise ordinary moments, turning a small act of defiance or confidence into a joke punchline. The format spread across YouTube, Vine, and later TikTok because it is instantly recognisable, easy to edit, and works with almost any subject, from pets to sports highlights.