Here's Why Rappers Are So Obsessed With Grey Poupon

Maybe you’ve noticed it, or perhaps you haven’t yet. But once you do, you’ll hear it everywhere in hip-hop: Rappers from the east coast to the west, including Big Daddy Kane, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Ghostface Killah, have all name-dropped Grey Poupon in their tracks.

Vox explored this pop culture phenomenon in the video above and with an interactive timeline highlighting lyrics that span decades. Their investigation found that the trend dates back to the 1980s, when one fancy guy first rolled up to another fancy guy and asked him, “Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon?”

“From then on, Grey Poupon became the condiment of choice for rappers who wanted an easy rhyme that also illustrated the idea of status, luxury, and class,” report Vox’s Estelle Caswell and Sarah Frostenson. “From 1992 to 2016, Grey Poupon references popped up in hip-hop songs nearly every year.”

Maybe the company’s new slogan should be “Grey Poupon: Just as easy to spread across your rhymes as it is your turkey sandwich.”

Check out their extensive research in the video above. And if you’re hungry for mustard yourself now, check out the recipes below: