Wanksta

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Someone who imitates the style and mannerisms of hip-hop culture without genuine involvement in or commitment to that community
2. A person who affects hip-hop aesthetics and speech patterns but lacks authenticity or real connection to the culture
3. An individual who pretends to embody hip-hop identity and attitudes while being perceived as fake or undeserving of that association

Etymology: "Wanksta" is a blend of "wannabe" and "gangsta," the first a casual term for someone who desperately wants to be something they are not, the second a slang form of "gangster" associated with rap culture. Blending the two produces a label for a person who imitates the swagger of gang life or gangster rap without any real connection to it. The word also carries a second layer. Its sound deliberately recalls "wanker," so the term mocks the imitator while adding a crude jab at the same time. That double meaning is much of its punch: it dismisses the pose as both fake and faintly embarrassing.

Synonyms: poser, fake, pretender

Antonyms: authentic, genuine