Make America Slime Again: How NBA YoungBoy Flipped the Script on History
By Katelyn Denise Baxter
Communications, Journalism, and Arts & Sciences | Freelance Media Writer for Beyond The Breakthrough.
Understanding the Term "Massa"
The term "massa" is a phonetic spelling representing the way enslaved African Americans pronounced "master" during the era of slavery in the United States. It was commonly used to refer to slave owners and has since become symbolic of the oppressive structures of slavery. In contemporary contexts, the term is considered offensive, especially when used by individuals outside the Black community, as it evokes painful memories of subjugation and racism (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).
NBA YoungBoy's Reappropriation of "MASA"
By naming his tour MASA, NBA YoungBoy is taking back the word "massa" and putting his own NBA YoungBoy spin on it. He’s creating his own art, his own tour—showcasing how he makes new generations think differently about portrayals historically imposed on Black people. While we can never forget our history, we can shape how it affects us in our art. "MASA"—Make America Slime Again—turns a word rooted in violence and dehumanization into a cultural and artistic mission.
The acronym also plays off of Donald Trump’s infamous campaign slogan “Make America Great Again,” a phrase loaded with historical nostalgia that many critics argue evokes a return to a time of racial inequality and exclusion. NBA YoungBoy flips that on its head. By altering the slogan to “Make America Slime Again,” he repurposes the rhetoric, transforming it into something subversive and distinctly Black.
In a society where Black identity is so often framed through the white gaze, his act of naming and redefining "Masa" is intentional. He refuses to be seen only through the lens of historical oppression and instead forces the audience—especially those outside the culture—to confront a new narrative on his terms.
The Role of Black Art in Cultural Reclamation
Black art has long served as a medium for expressing resistance, resilience, and the redefinition of identity. Movements such as the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement have used poetry, visual art, music, and performance to challenge dominant narratives and center Black experience. Artists like Kerry James Marshall and Kehinde Wiley have highlighted the importance of portraying Black aesthetics and realities without catering to white approval or visibility.
NBA YoungBoy follows in this legacy, not just by performing but by claiming space. He’s building a world where Black struggle, style, language, and leadership are no longer interpreted through someone else’s lens—but experienced directly and unapologetically.
THE MASA TOUR DATES PROMOThe MASA Tour: A Cultural Milestone
The MASA Tour is not merely a concert series; it’s a bold cultural moment where history, rebellion, and artistry collide. Most people of the younger generation—face it—he has Gen Z and even millennials on lock. With the aggressive life he’s living, the rockstar lifestyle, he connects to the youth in a raw and unfiltered way.
Tupac once said, “And don’t blame me, I was given this world, I didn’t make it.” That sentiment echoes deeply in NBA YoungBoy’s work—he didn’t choose the history, the struggle, or the perception forced on him, but he’s answering it with unapologetic art. Just like Tupac before him, YoungBoy uses his platform to speak not only for himself, but for the pain, rebellion, and resilience of an entire generation.
That’s what makes this tour so impactful.
It isn’t just entertainment—it’s a challenge. A dare. A reworking of the word "massa" into MASA—something creative, chaotic, and culturally owned. With tickets already live on Ticketmaster, the tour is set to gross millions. But more importantly, it’s set to push the conversation about who gets to control history, language, and representation in America.
Conclusion
NBA YoungBoy's MASA Tour exemplifies how Black artists continue to use their platforms to challenge historical narratives and assert control over their cultural identities.
What makes this even more significant is how it pushes back against the long-standing pattern of Black expression being filtered through the white lens. MASA is not seeking approval—it’s creating a standard, one that centers the Black voice, the Black struggle, and the Black future unapologetically.
Through this tour, YoungBoy turns the weight of a painful past into a future-facing force. No longer “massa,” but MASA—Make America Slime Again. From trauma, he makes truth. From legacy, he makes art.
References (APA Style)
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Massa. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/massa
Ticketmaster. (2025). NBA YoungBoy - MASA TOUR Tickets. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.ticketmaster.com/nba-youngboy-tickets/artist/2465815
Etymonline. (n.d.). Massa. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/massa
Houston Chronicle. (2025, May 16). Rapper NBA YoungBoy bringing first headlining tour to Houston. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/nba-youngboy-houston-tour-20329623.php
Roots Revealed. (2020, October 25). I Ain’t Taking Massa’s Name. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://rootsrevealed.com/2020/10/25/i-aint-taking-massas-name/
Gibbs, A. (2024, February 17). Black Artists Are Reclaiming 'Country'. Medium. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://adrienne.medium.com/black-artists-are-reclaiming-country-7195d9ea83fa
FAMSF. (n.d.). Kehinde Wiley's Reclamation of Black Lives. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.famsf.org/stories/kehinde-wiley-reclamation-black-lives
Shakur, T. (1997). Interview in Tupac: Resurrection [Film]. Paramount Pictures.
Trump, D. J. (2015, June 16). Full text: Donald Trump announces a presidential bid. Washington Post. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/06/16/full-text-donald-trump-announces-a-presidential-bid/
Bible Hub. (n.d.). Massa: Hebrew 4853. Retrieved from https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4853.htm
Chapman University. (n.d.). The Art and Expression of Reclaiming Black Bodies. Scalar. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://scalar.chapman.edu/scalar/ah-342-black-subjects-in-white-art-history-fall-2021/anna-coogans-essay-title
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Katelyn Denise Baxter is a dynamic communicator, journalist, and student leader from Alabama, merging a passion for storytelling with a deep commitment to education, faith, and service. A proud student at Alabama State University, she is majoring in Communications with a concentration in Radio/Television and minoring in Biology—bridging the worlds of science and media with a unique voice.
As the creator and host of Broadcasting Breakthrough, Baxter leads powerful conversations that spotlight student experiences, emerging professionals, and cultural dialogue, making space for authenticity and empowerment on air. Her impact extends beyond the mic: she serves as a Biology Tutor, Student Government Association Senator for the College of Health Sciences, and Vice President of Women of Faith—roles that highlight her dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and spiritual grounding.
A BeyGood Scholar recognized for her academic achievements and community impact, Baxter uses her platform to inspire others and champion underrepresented voices. Whether she’s reporting from campus, mentoring peers, or organizing events that promote student success, Baxter is the future of broadcast media—where intellect, purpose, and passion collide.
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