Hip-Hop slang term ‘opp’ traces roots to Chicago drill scene

The slang term ‘opp’ is a shortened version of ‘opposition’ or ‘opponent,’ used to describe an enemy, rival, or someone on the opposing side of a conflict. While the term has become a widespread part of everyday language on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, its origins are rooted in the Chicago drill music scene of the early 2010s.

In the context of drill, trap, and street rap, the term originally carried significant weight, referring to genuine adversaries or rival crews and neighborhoods. Artists such as Chief Keef, Lil Durk, and King Louie were instrumental in bringing this vocabulary from Chicago into mainstream hip-hop, where it eventually gained global recognition.