Thug Lifes (TLs)

Thug Lifes (TLs) are Non-African American juveniles -- typically from the middle class -- that attempt to embrace the hip-hop/rap culture by wearing baggy clothing, ERA hats with the sticker still on the bill, Air Force Ones, and large polo shirts with horizontal stripes. Additionally, they fuse their everyday language with Ebonics, in an attempt to sound "ghetto." They also acquire tapered fades, thus emulating their African-American counterparts.

Socially, they attempt to act "hard" even when surrounded by perfectly well-groomed kids. Psychologically, they actually believe that they are either African-American or truly embrace the ghetto life, when the closest they will ever get to that realm is listening to Tupac CDs.

Within the White, Asian, and Latino cultures, these kids are known as wiggas, chiggas, and miggas, respectively.