I love it.
It wasn’t instant. I had to sit with it for a second, think about it, and then decide. But I love it. I’ll get to the obvious Offset connections in a second, but first …
You know that thing where certain names are so singular they become almost unusable, because who wants the comparison? Elvis. Madonna. Drake.
I’m gonna say that’s what’s happening with the letter K – especially when it’s used in places where ‘C’ usually is instead. People seem to automatically associate it with the Kardashians and any associated inferences about being basic or what have you. I have to assume that’s what’s behind some of the sniffy comments about ‘Kulture’, because – what’s the objection to a name that holds so much significance not just for her family but in general?
You know what’s one of the oldest style of names going? ‘Virtue’ names, like Patience, Prudence, Faith. Hell, Grace and Hope fall into the same category. How is Culture, regardless of how it’s spelled, different? I mean, it’s better, because it’s new – but to me the use of a virtue name, a quality you hope your child embodies or brings to the world, not only is that possibly an influence from Cardi’s Catholic upbringing, it’s also kind of what makes everyone love her in the first place, isn’t it?
Then of course there’s the fact that Migos’ last two albums are, sing it with me, Culture and Culture II. I’ll leave the jokes about ‘beg and plead for the Kulture’ to Instagram, but I will point out that Offset’s real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, so they come by the double Ks honestly.
The more I think about it, the more I love it. I would love if the new trend in virtue names wasn’t about being perfect and demure and feminine, but about qualities that are badass and exciting and aspirational. Kulture could be the start of a trend… one that invites the use of names like Forthright, or Calm, or Curious. Why not? Just because it hasn’t been done before?
I love being surprised. I didn’t know this was going to happen. The more I think about it, the more I love it.
