December 27, 2012 10:21

Drake could seek royalties for use of YOLO motto on merchandise

Rapper calls out two US chains for using the "YOLO" slogan on baseball caps and T-shirts

Photo: Tom Oxley/NME

Drake has hinted that he could seek royalties for the use of his popular "YOLO" motto on merchandise.

On Christmas Day (December 25), the rapper posted a photo on his Instagram feed showing a sales rack of YOLO baseball caps at a branch of US pharmacy chain Walgreens. The photo was accompanied by the caption: "Walgreens...you gotta either chill or cut the cheque."

Shortly afterwards he posted a photo of a YOLO T-shirt at a branch of US department store Macy's, together with the caption: "Macy's... same goes for you."

"YOLO" is an acronym that stands for "You Only Live Once". Although Drake is unlikely to have invented it, he and Rick Ross have made the phrase popular by using it on several of their tracks, including 'The Motto'. Back in June (2012), Drake told MTV that the slogan had become so popular it was "like an epidemic". He and Ross are planning to release a mixtape titled 'YOLO' next year (2013).

Back in October (2012), Drake revealed that he had finally graduated from high school at the age of 25 - a delay caused by his decision to pursue an acting career during his teenage years on Canadian TV show DeGrassi: The Next Generation. Sharing his academic success on Twitter, the rapper posted: "97% on my final exam. 88% in the course. One of the greatest feelings in my entire life. As of tonight I have graduated high school!"

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