The rap lyric "I Just Lost My Dawg" from Roddy Ricch's song "Ricch Forever" has become a trending meme on TikTok and elsewhere lately.
Ricch's passionate delivery of the line has become the subject of meme exploitation, similar to the rapper's other hit songs like "The Box" and "Ballin'." Roddy Ricch is keeping the meme rap game alive, unknowingly, as covers of "I Just Lost My Dawg" are being sung by TikTokers like Don Blanco, among other poor vocalizers (sorry Don Blanco).
Anyways, where did the I Just Lost My Dawg meme come from? Why is this Roddy Ricch song being used in memes and who started it? Let's explain.
What's The 'I Just Lost My Dawg' Song?
The "I Just Lost My Dawg" lyric comes from Roddy Ricch's song "Ricch Forever," which was released in late 2018. Unlike Ricch's other songs, "Ricch Forever" never received an official music video despite being one of his most-streamed. Regardless, fan-made music videos exist on YouTube, which have racked up millions of views over the past years.
What's The 'I Just Lost My Dawg' Song Lyrics?
In accordance with Genius, the lyrics website, the opening bar and chorus of Roddy Ricch's "Ricch Forever" is, "I just lost my dawg (yeah)." In subsequent lyrics, Ricch talks about a deceased friend who taught him how to "chase the bag." The chorus reads in full:
I just lost my dawg
nigg*, my brother taught me how to chase the bag
Get right in the field, I had to make a bag
The day he lost his soul, wish I could take it back
I just wanna go get one more bag with my nigg*
Wanna be rich forever for my dawg
Supposed to take you on yo first trip on a private jet
I vow to always ball until I fall
Where Did The 'I Just Lost My Dawg' Meme Come From?
"Ricch Forever" was originally used in memes back in 2022 when a TikToker named @hav7x shared a screen-recording of their own SoundCloud track that progressively sped-up the "I Just Lost My Dawg" lyric.
The video's audio became a viral sound, used by others for photo slideshows and nonsensical meme edits.
@hav7x #fyp ♬ original sound – havoc
What's The 'I Just Lost My Dawg' Meme?
After 2022, the "I Just Lost My Dawg" sound evolved, first becoming the anthem for the Gojo Backshots meme in 2023. The meme involves Jujutsu Kaisen character Satoru Gojo seemingly giving "backshots" to other characters.
Somehow, Roddy Ricch's song got involved and became the "canary in a coal mine" for an impending Gojo Backshots meme.
@sageilicious It Was Too Small #gojo ♬ GOJO BACKSHOTS – kaiism
This year, the "I Just Lost My Dawg" sound has moved passed its lewd past, mostly because of a series of poorly sung covers. TikTokers TRINITY and Don Blanco are the culprits. Their renditions of the song have inspired viral slideshow audios in which YTP-style meme edits are thriving.
@trinitystreet Roddy Ricch – Ricch Forever #singing #roddyricch #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #cover #singersongwriter #upcomingartist #viral #uk #singer #london #artist #vocals #voice #trending #acapella #coversong #hiphop #rap @Roddy Ricch ♬ original sound – TRINITY
@donblancoaventuras Yall been asking so here you go #fyp #ijustlostmydawg #foryou #skibiditoilet #emotional ♬ original sound – Don Blanco
Many of these weird "I Just Lost My Dawg" edits follow the Don Pollo, "Zawg" and "Goofy Ahh" school of thought. They could also be classified as brainrot or lobotomy, depending on which irony-poisoned viewer you ask.
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7391322744014572842
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7399863353604181291
What Other Roddy Ricch Songs Are Memes?
"Ricch Forever" is not the first Roddy Ricch song to be used in memes. The rapper's smash hit "The Box" from 2019 became an instant viral meme, spawning a TikTok dance and memes on the then-named Twitter.
However, Roddy Ricch's music in memes is largely considered infamous due to the inclusion of his 2019 song "Ballin'" in the Animan Studios meme.
If you're one of the lucky few who didn't watch Axel In Harlem back in early 2023, then the opening lyrics, "I Put The New Forgis On The Jeep," must not be a trigger for you. But for everyone who was there, flashbacks are likely coursing through your brain.
From then on out, the emotional deliveries on Roddy Ricch's tracks have become prime material for ironic exploitation.
For the full history of I Just Lost My Dawg, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.
