I'm Rick James, Bitch! — Three-panel cat comic ending with cat slap and 'I'm Rick James Bitch' caption

I'm Rick James, Bitch!

2004catchphraseclassic

Published September 1, 2026

"I'm Rick James, Bitch!" came from a February 2004 Chappelle's Show sketch in which Dave Chappelle played funk singer Rick James recounting his own bad behavior to Charlie Murphy1. The line grew into a widely quoted bit from the show and spawned an "I'm X, Bitch!" catchphrase template used across image macros3.

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Overview

The catchphrase works as a shout of dominance after somebody does something outrageous or lands the upper hand, tracking the sketch's context in which Chappelle-as-James uses it to wave away all sorts of appalling behavior3. Fans quote the line over reaction images of Chappelle in the Rick James wig, high-heeled boots, and sequined jacket seen in the segment1.

The "I'm X, Bitch!" swap is a persistent macro template, with users substituting any name in place of Rick James to claim a win or a boast4. Urban Dictionary entries from the mid-2000s log the line as a straight expression of superiority, often shouted after a fight or a brag4.

Origin & Background

Platform
Comedy Central (TV) / YouTube (viral spread)
Creator
Dave Chappelle and Charlie Murphy
Date
2004

The line comes from the sketch "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories," which Charlie Murphy co-wrote with Dave Chappelle for the second season of Chappelle's Show on Comedy Central2. In the segment, Murphy tells a story about partying with Rick James in the 1980s, with Chappelle acting out James's antics in flashbacks, including the moment James slaps Murphy and yells the line1. The Rick James episode aired February 11, 20042.

How It Spread

The sketch clip is widely circulated on YouTube and kept the audio and Chappelle's delivery in constant rotation online long after the show ended1. Rick James himself died on August 6, 2004, only months after the sketch aired, and the coincidence pushed the catchphrase back into wider circulation as fans reposted the clip2.

The line and its exploitable "I'm X, Bitch!" variant spread through image macros, with the cornrowed, glittery Chappelle-as-James still shot working as the base image3. It is still a widely quoted moment from Chappelle's Show and gets referenced in music, sports commentary, and internet posts whenever somebody wants to punctuate a brag3.

How to Use This Meme

People typically drop "I'm Rick James, Bitch!" after doing something bold, winning an argument, or landing a joke, mimicking the sketch's cocky delivery4. The "I'm X, Bitch!" template swaps in any name, from celebrities to fictional characters, to claim a similar swagger3.

Frequently Asked Questions