The phrase “The Money Go Where I Go,” often associated with the extended lyric “smoking on gelato,” has exploded into a viral sensation across the internet, particularly on TikTok. Originating from the rap track “We Don’t Luv Em” by Hoodrich Pablo Juan, this catchy phrase has transcended its musical roots, becoming synonymous with ironic humor and relatable “bruh moment” scenarios online. This article delves into the origins, spread, and cultural impact of “The Money Go Where I Go” meme, exploring why this specific lyric, and sometimes the addition of “smoking on gelato lyrics,” resonates so strongly with online audiences.
Origin of “The Money Go Where I Go”
The genesis of this meme can be traced back to September 14, 2017, with the release of Hoodrich Pablo Juan’s song “We Don’t Luv Em” on YouTube. The track, which has garnered over 32 million views, features the now-iconic opening line, “The money go where I go.” However, it was not until early 2024 that this lyric truly took on a life of its own in the memeosphere.
On January 26, 2024, TikTok user seaniscool4 uploaded a slowed-down snippet of “We Don’t Luv Em,” emphasizing the opening line. This slowed and reverb-heavy version of the song clip struck a chord with TikTok users, quickly amassing over 346,000 likes within a month. This marked the crucial turning point where “The Money Go Where I Go,” detached from the full context of “smoking on gelato lyrics” and the original song, began its journey to meme stardom.
The Meme’s Viral Spread and Evolution
The slowed-down sound quickly became a staple in “Slow Fade-In Irony” videos, often paired with visuals like the “Staring Freddy Fazbear Drawing” and “Bruh Moment” captions. This combination encapsulated a specific brand of internet humor – ironic, slightly absurd, and often poking fun at relatable, mundane situations.
The association with the “Staring Freddy Fazbear Drawing” is particularly noteworthy. This image, combined with the somewhat nonchalant yet assertive tone of “The money go where I go,” created a humorous juxtaposition. The phrase, implying confidence and financial prowess, when placed alongside a blankly staring, slightly unsettling image like Freddy Fazbear, amplified the ironic and comedic effect. The addition of “Bruh Moment” captions further solidified the meme’s tone, highlighting moments of awkwardness, disbelief, or general “what just happened?” scenarios.
Examples of this rapid spread are evident in videos from TikTok users like @soplat and alterwrd. On February 5th, 2024, @soplat posted a video using the sound that quickly gained over 2.9 million views. Similarly, on February 2nd, alterwrd’s video garnered over 5.4 million views in the same period. These videos, typically featuring the Freddy Fazbear image and “Bruh Moment” text overlaid with “The money go where I go” audio, demonstrate the meme’s formula for virality.
@soplatThe money go where I go
While the Freddy Fazbear and “Bruh Moment” combination became a defining characteristic of the meme, its versatility allowed it to evolve and incorporate various other images and scenarios. The core appeal remained the same: pairing the assertive “The money go where I go” with visuals that created an ironic or humorous contrast.
For instance, TikTok user @tickingapril used the sound with a Kevin Hart reaction image, gaining over 3.8 million views. This example showcases how the meme could be adapted to different reaction formats, maintaining its comedic essence. Similarly, @kubekjagoda’s video featuring Duke Dennis, which amassed over 4.4 million views, demonstrates the meme’s application with different popular figures and online personalities. These examples highlight the meme’s flexibility and broad appeal beyond its initial Freddy Fazbear iteration.
@tickingapril that money go where i go 🗣️🔥⛽️ #kevinhart #money #real #handsome #valuable #fyp #meme ♬ Originalton – boisJewels
@kubekjagoda like bruh what did i do? #foryou #fyp #foryoupage #viral #trending #trend #blowup #fypシ #dukedennis ♬ original sound – sean👍
“Smoking on Gelato Lyrics” and Meme Context
While the meme is widely recognized by the phrase “The money go where I go,” the extended lyric “smoking on gelato lyrics” is often included in searches related to the meme. This is because the full opening lines of Hoodrich Pablo Juan’s song are: “The money go where I go, I’m smoking on gelato.”
Although the “smoking on gelato” part is present in the original lyrics, the meme’s popularity largely centers around the shorter, punchier “The money go where I go.” The inclusion of “smoking on gelato lyrics” in search queries likely stems from users trying to find the full lyrics of the song associated with the meme or seeking a more complete understanding of the phrase’s origin. However, within the meme context itself, the “smoking on gelato” portion is less emphasized, with the focus remaining on the declaration of financial mobility and success implied by “The money go where I go.”
Conclusion
“The Money Go Where I Go,” sometimes sought after with the addition of “smoking on gelato lyrics,” has become a significant internet meme, particularly within the TikTok landscape. Its journey from a Hoodrich Pablo Juan song lyric to a viral sound associated with ironic and relatable content demonstrates the dynamic nature of internet culture. The meme’s success lies in its catchy and assertive phrase, its adaptability to various visual formats, and its resonance with online humor trends. Whether users are drawn to the implied confidence of “The money go where I go” or the slightly more whimsical imagery evoked by “smoking on gelato lyrics,” this meme has undoubtedly left its mark on the internet zeitgeist.
External References
[1] TikTok – Seaniscool4
[2] TikTok – Soplat
[3] TikTok – alterwrd
[4] TikTok – @tickingapril
[5] TikTok – kubekjagoda
