The 'Thug Life' meme is a cultural phenomenon that originated in the early 2010s, drawing inspiration from 1990s gangsta rap aesthetics, particularly the philosophies of Tupac Shakur. It typically features a video or image of someone performing an unexpectedly bold, clever, or rebellious act. At the moment of triumph, the scene freezes, often turning black and white, while pixelated 8-bit sunglasses, a gold chain, and a joint descend onto the subject. It has evolved from a parody of 'hard' personas into a universal celebration of moments where someone stays cool under pressure or delivers a savage comeback.