The Dual Origin Of "Wake Up It's The First Of The Month": From 90s Hip-Hop Anthem To 2024 TikTok Trend

Every time the calendar page flips to a new month, a powerful, rhythmic call echoes across social media: "Wake up! It's the first of the month!" This simple phrase has become a modern-day digital ritual, signaling everything from a fresh start for personal goals to the arrival of payday. As of December 2025, the trend remains one of the most consistent viral phenomena online, but its true origin is often misunderstood, rooted deep in the social commentary of 1990s hip-hop culture.

The phrase is a direct sample from the iconic 1995 track "1st of tha Month" by the legendary Cleveland group, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. While newer generations may associate it with dancing cows, motivational "reset" videos, or even a snippet from a Playboi Carti song, the original meaning is far more profound, capturing the bittersweet relief and struggles of communities relying on government assistance. Understanding this dual identity—a classic hip-hop anthem and a recurring 2024 meme—is key to appreciating its enduring cultural impact.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: The Architects of the Monthly Anthem

The song "1st of tha Month" is the cornerstone of this cultural phenomenon. It was the lead single from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s second studio album, *E. 1999 Eternal*, released in 1995. The track quickly became a massive commercial and critical success, peaking as a top 20 single in the US and earning the group widespread recognition.

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Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Group Profile & Key Entities

• Origin: Cleveland, Ohio, United States.
• Formation Year: 1991 (originally as B.O.N.E. Enterpri$e).
• Original Members: Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, and Flesh-N-Bone.
• Key Albums: *E. 1999 Eternal* (1995), *The Art of War* (1997).
• Signature Style: Known for their rapid-fire, melodic, and harmonizing rap delivery, often referred to as the "Bone flow."
• Producer of "1st of tha Month": DJ U-Neek.
• Other Major Hit: "Tha Crossroads," which won a Grammy Award in 1997.

The group’s unique, fast-paced delivery and blend of dark, spiritual themes with street narratives set them apart in the mid-90s hip-hop landscape. The song "1st of tha Month" was pivotal in defining their sound and cementing their legacy in hip-hop history.

The Profound Social Meaning of "1st of tha Month"

The phrase "Wake up! It's the first of the month!" is not merely an upbeat greeting; it is a direct reference to the day government assistance checks, commonly known as "welfare checks" or "disability checks," were traditionally distributed.

A Narrative of Struggle and Relief

The entire song is a narrative centered on the brief, monthly reprieve from poverty experienced by many in inner-city communities. The lyrics detail the relief of being able to pay bills, buy food, and provide for family after weeks of financial struggle.

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• The Context of Welfare: In the 1990s, the first of the month was a crucial date for millions of Americans. The song captured the emotional rollercoaster—from the stress of an empty fridge to the temporary joy of economic stability.
• The Bittersweet Celebration: While the song sounds celebratory, it carries a heavy undertone. It celebrates a moment of survival, not sustained prosperity, highlighting systemic issues of poverty. This raw, honest social commentary is what made the track a cultural touchstone that defined mid-90s hip-hop.
• Lyrical Entities: The song mentions specific struggles like paying rent, buying new clothes, and getting necessities, painting a vivid picture of life in Cleveland, Ohio.

The group's decision to focus an entire single on this sensitive, yet universally understood, topic cemented their reputation as storytellers who gave a voice to the marginalized.

The 2024 Viral Resurgence: The Dual Meme Phenomenon

Decades after its release, the phrase has found a new life and a new meaning in the digital age, becoming a recurrent, highly predictable viral trend on platforms like TikTok, X (Twitter), and Instagram. This modern trend has a fascinating dual origin that contributes to its perpetual freshness.

1. The Bone Thugs-N-Harmony 'Reset' Trend

The most direct trend uses the original song's audio. It has evolved from its original welfare context to symbolize a "First of the Month Reset."

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• Monthly Motivation: Users create videos focused on self-care, fitness goals, financial planning, and organizational tasks, using the phrase as a motivational rallying cry for starting the new month strong.
• The Dancing Cow/Animal Meme: A popular recurring format involves a short clip of an animated or real animal (famously a dancing cow) set to the song's audio snippet, simply to announce the arrival of the new month. This decontextualizes the song, turning it into a purely calendrical celebration.

2. The Playboi Carti Alternative

In a surprising twist, a separate, more recent meme trend uses the phrase "Wake up, it's the first of the month!" but sources the audio from a completely different song: "Sky" by Playboi Carti, released in 2020.

• The Playboi Carti Connection: A snippet from Carti's track, where he says the line, was often used in mashups and remixes on TikTok, leading to a confusion of origins for younger users.
• Throwback and Comeback: This dual-song usage illustrates how digital culture often layers new meaning onto old concepts. The phrase itself is the entity, surviving across genres and generations, ensuring its longevity as a recurring viral moment in 2024 and beyond.

Why The Phrase Remains a Cultural Juggernaut

The longevity of "Wake Up! It's the first of the month!" is a testament to its powerful themes and adaptability. It has successfully bridged the gap between a 90s hip-hop classic and a modern internet meme, ensuring its annual—or rather, monthly—resurgence.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

The enduring power of the phrase is built on several key concepts and entities:

• Economic Struggle: The core theme of surviving on a fixed income, resonating with anyone awaiting a payday or financial relief.
• Cultural Touchstone: Its status as a defining song of the mid-90s hip-hop era.
• Viral Marketing: Businesses and content creators use the phrase monthly to drive engagement, using LSI keywords like monthly reset, payday, new goals, and motivation.
• The Cleveland Sound: The unique musical heritage of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, distinct from East Coast or West Coast rap.
• Social Media Trends: The consistent use in TikTok mashups and meme templates (e.g., the Bruh meme and dancing cow).
• Musical Entities: *E. 1999 Eternal*, DJ U-Neek, Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Flesh-N-Bone, "Tha Crossroads," and Playboi Carti’s "Sky."

Ultimately, whether you hear the melodic harmony of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony or the trap beat of Playboi Carti, the message is the same: the calendar has turned, and it's time to face the new month. It's a universal moment of reflection, anticipation, and, for many, a deeply rooted cultural celebration of making it through another 30 days. The phrase is a monthly reminder that classic hip-hop culture continues to shape and define the modern digital landscape.