Here's Why The Phrase 'Nah He Tweakin' Has Been Taking Over Your Instagram Feed
Over the past 48 hours, the phrase “Nah, he tweakin’" has managed to take over nearly every comment section throughout the internet, simultaneously amusing us zoomers to no end, while singlehandedly making anyone over 35 the question if they're having a stroke.
Yet the phrase's origins – and subsequent social media dominance -- are more complicated and erm, weirdly bloody, than meets the eye, involving iconic rapper Lil Nas X, blood-filled shoes, blood-filled skateboards, and everyone's favorite 50-something white guy, Tony Hawk.
It all started back in March, when rapper, artist, and creative genius behind certified ya'llternative banger, “Old Town Road," Lil Nas X, descended into Hell via stripper pole in his equally controversial and iconic music video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” In promoting the chart-topping track, which he says serves as a letter to his younger self about coming out as gay, the artist teamed up with Brooklyn-based creative agency MSCHF to create a limited collection of “Satan Shoes,” or modded Nike Air Max 97 sneakers allegedly featuring a drop of bonafide human blood donated by members of the art collective. Although sneaker collectors flocked to pick up a pair of the rare kicks – all 666 shoes "sold out almost immediately”, per CNN, – it seems several others weren't too thrilled about the drop – namely Nike.
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Unlike many of Lil Nas X's outspoken online critics, many of whom claimed the song exemplified devil worship, the sneaker brand decided to take their beef with the rapper to the next level, suing MSCHF for trademark infringement, as the shoes featured Nike's signature swoop, according to The Verge.
Although the two parties ultimately settled their legal dispute the following month, it seems the negative precedent surrounding bloody merch was not enough to deter Tony Hawk from peddling his own fluid-filled fare (get your mind out of the gutter, you sick pervert). Recently, the legendary skater announced that he would be teaming up with ultra-edgy water company, Liquid Death, to create a limited run of 100 skateboards, all shellacked with deck paint featuring a vile's worth of Hawk's blood, according to Input Magazine.
“I am deeply thankful to have a connection with my fans, and I appreciate how Liquid Death connects with theirs,” the 53-year-old, who previously sold his soul to the company via legally binding contract, explained in a press release. “This collaboration is taking those connections to a new level, as I have literally put my blood (and soul?) into these decks.”
Considering the fiasco surrounding his sneakers, Lil Nas X did not take too kindly to the largely positive reaction surrounding Hawk's boards. “Now that Tony Hawk has released skateboards with his blood painted on them, and there was no public outrage, are y’all ready to admit y’all were never actually upset over the blood in the shoes? and maybe u were mad for some other reason?” the artist mused in a Twitter post that has since garnered more than 421,000 likes.
However, amid the blowback, Lil Nas X also took to Instagram, commenting on a post from a page called Rap, asking their followers about the boards and if “y’all rockin with it⁉️”
“Nah he tweakin,” the rapper replied, a comment that racked up north of 148,000 likes.
Just like most things related to Lill Nas X on the internet, the phrase spread like wildfire, taking over Twitter …
… the comment section of popular Instagram influencers …
… not-so-ironically, including the comment section of BBC News's post about the popular phrase.
So, folks, here's to Lil Nas X and Tony Hawk, two of the most iconic figures of the 21st century. Oh and to anyone else who wants to drop blood merch? Nah, you trippin'.
Top Image: Shutterstock/Shutterstock
For more internet nonsense, follow Carly on Instagram @HuntressThompson_ on TikTok as @HuntressThompson_, and on Twitter @TennesAnyone.
