We Dem Boyz

2014Catchphrase / music meme / sports anthemsemi-active

Also known as: We Dem Boys · #WedemBoyz · Holla Holla Holla

We Dem Boyz is a 2014 hip-hop single by Wiz Khalifa whose repetitive hook 'Holla holla holla, we dem boyz' became a viral Vine meme and ironic sports-fandom anthem.

"We Dem Boyz" is a 2014 Wiz Khalifa single that crossed over from hip-hop anthem to internet meme through Vine parodies, sports culture adoption, and the Dallas Cowboys fandom cycle. Released in February 2014 as the lead single from *Blacc Hollywood*, the song's repetitive hook ("Holla holla holla, we dem boyz") made it perfect for short-form video remixes and became a rallying cry for friend groups and sports fans alike2. The phrase took on a second life as a sarcasm-loaded meme tied to the Cowboys' annual playoff disappointments5.

hip hop memescatchphrase memesnfl memesvine memesmid 2010s memes

Overview

"We Dem Boyz" started as a straightforward rap single but its appeal as a meme came from two things: the absurdly catchy, endlessly repeatable hook and its adoption by the Dallas Cowboys fan base. The phrase "we dem boyz" became shorthand for squad loyalty online, used in Vines, tweets, and Tumblr posts whenever someone wanted to hype up their friend group2. On the flip side, the same phrase became a weapon for rival NFL fans who used it to mock Cowboys supporters after inevitable postseason exits5.

The song's production by Detail (known for Beyoncé's "Drunk in Love" and Drake's "305 to My City") gave it a trap-influenced, stadium-ready sound that was a deliberate departure from Wiz Khalifa's usual laid-back stoner rap style1. That boisterous energy is exactly what made it so memeable.

Wiz Khalifa teased "We Dem Boyz" with a 15-second preview on February 6, 2014, before fully releasing it on February 11 through Rostrum Records and Atlantic Records3. The track was produced by Detail and Choppa Boi, featuring a trap-influenced beat driven by heavy drums and Khalifa's subtly autotuned vocals3.

The song made history as the first track ever premiered through Shazam. When fans "Shazamed" the preview video on February 10, the full audio unlocked on the app's feed before the official digital release the next day3. Khalifa explained his reasoning for picking it as the lead single: "I like 'We Dem Boyz' as the first single because of the energy. It reaches so many audiences other than just a rap audience. It's kind of like how 'Black and Yellow' was, a big sports song to get everybody riled"3.

The official music video was filmed in Atlanta on March 11, 2014, and dropped on April 143. It featured cameos from B.o.B, Big K.R.I.T., Ty Dolla Sign, Young Thug, Chevy Woods, and Rich Homie Quan3.

Origin & Background

Platform
YouTube (music video), Vine / Twitter (meme spread)
Key People
Wiz Khalifa, Detail, Choppa Boi
Date
2014

Wiz Khalifa teased "We Dem Boyz" with a 15-second preview on February 6, 2014, before fully releasing it on February 11 through Rostrum Records and Atlantic Records. The track was produced by Detail and Choppa Boi, featuring a trap-influenced beat driven by heavy drums and Khalifa's subtly autotuned vocals.

The song made history as the first track ever premiered through Shazam. When fans "Shazamed" the preview video on February 10, the full audio unlocked on the app's feed before the official digital release the next day. Khalifa explained his reasoning for picking it as the lead single: "I like 'We Dem Boyz' as the first single because of the energy. It reaches so many audiences other than just a rap audience. It's kind of like how 'Black and Yellow' was, a big sports song to get everybody riled".

The official music video was filmed in Atlanta on March 11, 2014, and dropped on April 14. It featured cameos from B.o.B, Big K.R.I.T., Ty Dolla Sign, Young Thug, Chevy Woods, and Rich Homie Quan.

How It Spread

The meme life of "We Dem Boyz" kicked off almost immediately. On March 1, 2014, just weeks after the single dropped, the first parody appeared: a YouTube channel specializing in Alvin and the Chipmunks-style remixes posted a sped-up version that pulled over 43,000 views. More parodies followed through the summer. "Hold Up I Need a Donut" hit YouTube on June 18, and "We Dem Hickz" arrived on August 12.

On Vine, the hashtag #wedemboyz maxed out at 500+ posts (the platform's display limit for a hashtag), while Twitter and Tumblr saw thousands more using the tag to shout out friend groups. Facebook logged over 93,000 searches for #wedemboys.

The Dallas Cowboys connection solidified the meme's staying power. During their strong 2014 season with Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, and Dez Bryant, the team adopted the song as an unofficial anthem. Fans flooded social media with "We Dem Boyz" edits, dance videos, and low-quality highlight reels set to the hook. The Cowboys used the song for promotional purposes and played it after big plays during home games.

When the Cowboys lost to the Green Bay Packers in the controversial "Dez Caught It" playoff game, the phrase flipped overnight from sincere anthem to ironic punchline. Every subsequent season followed the same script: offseason hype, mid-season "We Dem Boyz" posts, playoff elimination, and a wave of mockery from rival fan bases using the same phrase.

The song also spread through official remixes. The biggest featured Rick Ross, Schoolboy Q, and Nas, released July 3, 2014. Tyga dropped his own remix on February 18, T.I. followed on April 13, Busta Rhymes and his Conglomerate Records artists on May 5, and Puff Daddy with Meek Mill and French Montana on June 18. French rapper Rohff released a version titled "Où est Rohff?" on September 11, 2014, and Plies put out "We Dem Boyz P-mix" on June 19, 2015.

In late 2016, YouTuber Etika gave the song a second viral wave when he falsely leaked the Nintendo Switch while shouting "JOY CON BOYZ," a catchphrase directly connected to the song that spawned its own merchandise and online community.

How to Use This Meme

The meme works in a few distinct ways:

Squad hype format: Post a photo or video of your friend group doing something together. Caption it "We dem boyz" or use the hashtag #wedemboyz. The tone is typically celebratory and unironic. Works best with the song playing in the background of short clips.

Sports mockery format: After a Dallas Cowboys loss (especially in the playoffs), post "We Dem Boyz" with an image of dejected Cowboys fans, players, or Jerry Jones. The humor comes from the contrast between preseason confidence and postseason reality.

General remix/parody: Take the hook's melody and cadence and replace the lyrics with something situational. Early examples included food-themed versions and regional dialect parodies.

Cultural Impact

"We Dem Boyz" crossed into mainstream media extensively. The song appeared in TV shows including *Selfie* (where Karen Gillan's character twerked to it), *Black-ish*, *Empire*, *Ballers*, *Hawaii Five-O*, *The Mindy Project*, and *Superstore*. It was featured in the 2015 film *Southpaw* and in video games *WWE 2K15* and *NBA 2K16*.

Complex named it the third best song of the first half of 2014, with writer Insanul Ahmed calling it "the biggest street-oriented song Wiz has gotten to pop in years". Billboard placed it at number eight on their 10 Best Rap Songs of 2014 list. The music video earned a nomination at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Hip-Hop Video (losing to Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home") and the song itself was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song.

Team Canada selected it as their goal-scoring song during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where Canada won the tournament. The song peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, though it didn't match the commercial heights of Khalifa's previous lead singles "Black and Yellow" (which hit number one) or "Work Hard, Play Hard" (number 17).

The Cowboys connection gave the meme unusual longevity in sports culture. Since the song's release, Dallas has posted several double-digit win seasons but never advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs, creating what one writer called "the soundtrack to 'almost'". The phrase achieved what Jerry Jones might appreciate most: keeping the Cowboys relevant in online conversation regardless of on-field results.

Fun Facts

"We Dem Boyz" was the first song in history to be premiered through Shazam's music identification app.

Wiz Khalifa held a release party in Los Angeles on February 12, 2014, just one day after the single dropped, featuring producer Detail and Taylor Gang artist Ty Dolla Sign.

The song's first live TV performance was on BET's *106 & Park* on February 13, 2014.

Despite being one of Khalifa's most culturally impactful singles, it was his least commercially successful lead single, failing to match either "Black and Yellow" or "Work Hard, Play Hard" on the charts.

The music video features Young Thug in a cameo appearance, filmed during a period when Thug was still rising to mainstream recognition.

Derivatives & Variations

"Joy Con Boyz"

— YouTuber Etika's 2016 catchphrase, born from a fake Nintendo Switch leak, directly riffed on the song and spawned merchandise and a fan community[3].

"Hold Up I Need a Donut"

— June 2014 YouTube parody by Baby Kanine, replacing the hook lyrics with food references[2].

"We Dem Hickz"

— August 2014 country/rural-themed parody by bigjimmyhickhop[2].

Alvin and the Chipmunks remix

— The first known parody, posted March 1, 2014, racking up 43,000+ views[2].

"Où est Rohff?"

— French rapper Rohff's September 2014 remix that brought the song to Francophone audiences[3].

Frequently Asked Questions

We Dem Boyz

2014Catchphrase / music meme / sports anthemsemi-active

Also known as: We Dem Boys · #WedemBoyz · Holla Holla Holla

We Dem Boyz is a 2014 hip-hop single by Wiz Khalifa whose repetitive hook 'Holla holla holla, we dem boyz' became a viral Vine meme and ironic sports-fandom anthem.

"We Dem Boyz" is a 2014 Wiz Khalifa single that crossed over from hip-hop anthem to internet meme through Vine parodies, sports culture adoption, and the Dallas Cowboys fandom cycle. Released in February 2014 as the lead single from *Blacc Hollywood*, the song's repetitive hook ("Holla holla holla, we dem boyz") made it perfect for short-form video remixes and became a rallying cry for friend groups and sports fans alike. The phrase took on a second life as a sarcasm-loaded meme tied to the Cowboys' annual playoff disappointments.

hip hop memes catchphrase memes nfl memes vine memes mid 2010s memes

Overview

"We Dem Boyz" started as a straightforward rap single but its appeal as a meme came from two things: the absurdly catchy, endlessly repeatable hook and its adoption by the Dallas Cowboys fan base. The phrase "we dem boyz" became shorthand for squad loyalty online, used in Vines, tweets, and Tumblr posts whenever someone wanted to hype up their friend group. On the flip side, the same phrase became a weapon for rival NFL fans who used it to mock Cowboys supporters after inevitable postseason exits.

The song's production by Detail (known for Beyoncé's "Drunk in Love" and Drake's "305 to My City") gave it a trap-influenced, stadium-ready sound that was a deliberate departure from Wiz Khalifa's usual laid-back stoner rap style. That boisterous energy is exactly what made it so memeable.

Wiz Khalifa teased "We Dem Boyz" with a 15-second preview on February 6, 2014, before fully releasing it on February 11 through Rostrum Records and Atlantic Records. The track was produced by Detail and Choppa Boi, featuring a trap-influenced beat driven by heavy drums and Khalifa's subtly autotuned vocals.

The song made history as the first track ever premiered through Shazam. When fans "Shazamed" the preview video on February 10, the full audio unlocked on the app's feed before the official digital release the next day. Khalifa explained his reasoning for picking it as the lead single: "I like 'We Dem Boyz' as the first single because of the energy. It reaches so many audiences other than just a rap audience. It's kind of like how 'Black and Yellow' was, a big sports song to get everybody riled".

The official music video was filmed in Atlanta on March 11, 2014, and dropped on April 14. It featured cameos from B.o.B, Big K.R.I.T., Ty Dolla Sign, Young Thug, Chevy Woods, and Rich Homie Quan.

Origin & Background

Platform
YouTube (music video), Vine / Twitter (meme spread)
Key People
Wiz Khalifa, Detail, Choppa Boi
Date
2014

Wiz Khalifa teased "We Dem Boyz" with a 15-second preview on February 6, 2014, before fully releasing it on February 11 through Rostrum Records and Atlantic Records. The track was produced by Detail and Choppa Boi, featuring a trap-influenced beat driven by heavy drums and Khalifa's subtly autotuned vocals.

The song made history as the first track ever premiered through Shazam. When fans "Shazamed" the preview video on February 10, the full audio unlocked on the app's feed before the official digital release the next day. Khalifa explained his reasoning for picking it as the lead single: "I like 'We Dem Boyz' as the first single because of the energy. It reaches so many audiences other than just a rap audience. It's kind of like how 'Black and Yellow' was, a big sports song to get everybody riled".

The official music video was filmed in Atlanta on March 11, 2014, and dropped on April 14. It featured cameos from B.o.B, Big K.R.I.T., Ty Dolla Sign, Young Thug, Chevy Woods, and Rich Homie Quan.

How It Spread

The meme life of "We Dem Boyz" kicked off almost immediately. On March 1, 2014, just weeks after the single dropped, the first parody appeared: a YouTube channel specializing in Alvin and the Chipmunks-style remixes posted a sped-up version that pulled over 43,000 views. More parodies followed through the summer. "Hold Up I Need a Donut" hit YouTube on June 18, and "We Dem Hickz" arrived on August 12.

On Vine, the hashtag #wedemboyz maxed out at 500+ posts (the platform's display limit for a hashtag), while Twitter and Tumblr saw thousands more using the tag to shout out friend groups. Facebook logged over 93,000 searches for #wedemboys.

The Dallas Cowboys connection solidified the meme's staying power. During their strong 2014 season with Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, and Dez Bryant, the team adopted the song as an unofficial anthem. Fans flooded social media with "We Dem Boyz" edits, dance videos, and low-quality highlight reels set to the hook. The Cowboys used the song for promotional purposes and played it after big plays during home games.

When the Cowboys lost to the Green Bay Packers in the controversial "Dez Caught It" playoff game, the phrase flipped overnight from sincere anthem to ironic punchline. Every subsequent season followed the same script: offseason hype, mid-season "We Dem Boyz" posts, playoff elimination, and a wave of mockery from rival fan bases using the same phrase.

The song also spread through official remixes. The biggest featured Rick Ross, Schoolboy Q, and Nas, released July 3, 2014. Tyga dropped his own remix on February 18, T.I. followed on April 13, Busta Rhymes and his Conglomerate Records artists on May 5, and Puff Daddy with Meek Mill and French Montana on June 18. French rapper Rohff released a version titled "Où est Rohff?" on September 11, 2014, and Plies put out "We Dem Boyz P-mix" on June 19, 2015.

In late 2016, YouTuber Etika gave the song a second viral wave when he falsely leaked the Nintendo Switch while shouting "JOY CON BOYZ," a catchphrase directly connected to the song that spawned its own merchandise and online community.

How to Use This Meme

The meme works in a few distinct ways:

Squad hype format: Post a photo or video of your friend group doing something together. Caption it "We dem boyz" or use the hashtag #wedemboyz. The tone is typically celebratory and unironic. Works best with the song playing in the background of short clips.

Sports mockery format: After a Dallas Cowboys loss (especially in the playoffs), post "We Dem Boyz" with an image of dejected Cowboys fans, players, or Jerry Jones. The humor comes from the contrast between preseason confidence and postseason reality.

General remix/parody: Take the hook's melody and cadence and replace the lyrics with something situational. Early examples included food-themed versions and regional dialect parodies.

Cultural Impact

"We Dem Boyz" crossed into mainstream media extensively. The song appeared in TV shows including *Selfie* (where Karen Gillan's character twerked to it), *Black-ish*, *Empire*, *Ballers*, *Hawaii Five-O*, *The Mindy Project*, and *Superstore*. It was featured in the 2015 film *Southpaw* and in video games *WWE 2K15* and *NBA 2K16*.

Complex named it the third best song of the first half of 2014, with writer Insanul Ahmed calling it "the biggest street-oriented song Wiz has gotten to pop in years". Billboard placed it at number eight on their 10 Best Rap Songs of 2014 list. The music video earned a nomination at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Hip-Hop Video (losing to Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home") and the song itself was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song.

Team Canada selected it as their goal-scoring song during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, where Canada won the tournament. The song peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, though it didn't match the commercial heights of Khalifa's previous lead singles "Black and Yellow" (which hit number one) or "Work Hard, Play Hard" (number 17).

The Cowboys connection gave the meme unusual longevity in sports culture. Since the song's release, Dallas has posted several double-digit win seasons but never advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs, creating what one writer called "the soundtrack to 'almost'". The phrase achieved what Jerry Jones might appreciate most: keeping the Cowboys relevant in online conversation regardless of on-field results.

Fun Facts

"We Dem Boyz" was the first song in history to be premiered through Shazam's music identification app.

Wiz Khalifa held a release party in Los Angeles on February 12, 2014, just one day after the single dropped, featuring producer Detail and Taylor Gang artist Ty Dolla Sign.

The song's first live TV performance was on BET's *106 & Park* on February 13, 2014.

Despite being one of Khalifa's most culturally impactful singles, it was his least commercially successful lead single, failing to match either "Black and Yellow" or "Work Hard, Play Hard" on the charts.

The music video features Young Thug in a cameo appearance, filmed during a period when Thug was still rising to mainstream recognition.

Derivatives & Variations

"Joy Con Boyz"

— YouTuber Etika's 2016 catchphrase, born from a fake Nintendo Switch leak, directly riffed on the song and spawned merchandise and a fan community[3].

"Hold Up I Need a Donut"

— June 2014 YouTube parody by Baby Kanine, replacing the hook lyrics with food references[2].

"We Dem Hickz"

— August 2014 country/rural-themed parody by bigjimmyhickhop[2].

Alvin and the Chipmunks remix

— The first known parody, posted March 1, 2014, racking up 43,000+ views[2].

"Où est Rohff?"

— French rapper Rohff's September 2014 remix that brought the song to Francophone audiences[3].

Frequently Asked Questions