The word “stan” found its way into rap music almost immediately, including in the lyrics of Nas’ infamous 2001 diss track, “ Ether.” That was enough to make an impact though. The track was only a minor hit at the time, peaking no higher than No. In 2000, it never would’ve seemed like “Stan” could become one of the most influential songs of the millennium.

That’s why, with the intensity and focus of a super-obsessed fan, In The Know has put together a brief history of stanning - and how the concept has evolved over time. The word’s meaning has changed a lot over the past 20 years, but one thing is undeniable: It’s become a vital part of the way we define ourselves and the things we love. So, how did we get from a creepy Eminem song to BTS fans raising money for Black Lives Matter?

The track, as you might imagine, centers around “Stan,” an Eminem-obsessed megafan who writes the rapper a series of increasingly frightening letters. The word draws its origins from the Eminem song of the same name, which, as of November 2020, is officially two decades years old. In our highly politically charged year, stan communities have made headlines for their involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2020 presidential race.įor the uninitiated, a stan - a portmanteau of the words “stalker” and “fan” - is basically just a way to describe someone who’s very obsessed with someone or something. It’s possible you’ve even read news articles about stanning. Maybe you stan the cauliflower gnocchi at Trader Joe’s ( you wouldn’t be alone there). You might be a Carly Rae Jepsen stan or a Timothée Chalamet stan. In 2020, you can stan for just about anything.

Bts dark and wild meaning