What Does "I'm Him" Mean?

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Learn more about the slang phrase popular in the NBA, NFL, and other sports
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If you’ve been on TikTok or tuned in to basketball, football, or virtually any other sporting event in the past couple years, you’ve probably seen at least one person say, “I’m him!” with their whole chest. But who’s him? And why are they all him? In short, it’s a slang phrase used to display your own confidence and mastery. We’ll tell you all about it, including its meaning, origin, how to use, examples of athletes using it, and related slang phrases.

“I’m Him” Quick Explainer

“I’m him” is a slang way to express confidence. Here, “him” just means “that guy,” or someone to watch out for or regard with respect. It originates in AAVE and has recently been popular on TikTok, Twitter, and with athletes celebrating impressive plays.

Section 1 of 5:

”I’m Him” Meaning

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  1. “I’m him” is a show of confidence and bravado. It means that you’re declaring yourself top dog. Saying “I’m him” is like saying, “I’m that guy.” Who’s that guy? He’s the one to watch out for, the biggest threat, the greatest player on the court, the one who all the cameras are focusing on, the moment. [1]
    • The phrase is often used to celebrate one’s own success, like after a victory or a win.
    • Example: “Who scored the winning dunk in the last 5 seconds of the championship? That’s right. I’m him.”
    • Example: “Did you hear my new diss track? Totally dominated. I’m him.”
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Section 2 of 5:

Origin of “I’m Him”

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  1. The phrase has its roots in AAVE (African American Vernacular English), but most likely jumped into the mainstream with the release of rapper Kevin Gates’ album of the same name in 2019. [2] The album’s title of “I’m Him” is Gates’ way of asserting himself in the rap scene, and here is actually meant to stand for “His Imperial Majesty,” doubling down on the bravado.
    • The album went gold in 2020, and platinum in 22, selling over 1 million copies. [3]
  2. Internet users and sports fans have been saying, “He thinks he’s him,” and similar variations as a way to taunt rival fans, or players themselves. Used this way, the phrase means, “You think you’re something special.” It’s a facetious and playful jab at someone who may be a bit too full of themselves.
    • Some say the phrase was popularized online in a 2022 clip by YouTuber JiDion, where, during a confrontation with a woman in a bowling alley, he says, “I’m him,” and the woman responds, “You are not him.” The clip went viral on TikTok.
  3. Reeves is a basketball guard whose breakout moment in the sport was during the 2023 playoffs. After he scored a key basket, he famously screamed “I’m him,” a moment that caught quite the media buzz. [4]
    • Of course, athletes had been using the phrase long before Reeves, but Reeves’ bombastic celebration caught a bit more attention than usual.
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Section 3 of 5:

Using “I’m Him”

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  1. “I’m him” is best used after proving yourself, be it on the court, in an argument, or online. You might say “I’m him” after scoring a clutch basket or a game-saving goal, or even after dominating in a multiplayer video game. Put some stress on that “him,” and put your chest into it.
    • Example: “See the way I sink them from the 3-point line? I’m him .”
    • Example: “Of course I got the best grade on the test. I’m Him.”
  2. If you need to remind those around you that they’re dealing with certified, grade-A medal material, drop a cheeky and confident “I’m him” to make the hierarchy clear. Just be sure you can back up the claim with results.
    • Example: “Of course I can 1v5 them, dude. I’m him.”
    • Example: “Watch me be best-dressed at the party tonight. Everyone knows I’m him.”
  3. Even if you’re not “him,” someone else probably is, and you’ll probably want to tell other people as much. Say, “He’s him” about an athlete, musician, or any other skilled person to praise them and give them their flowers while signaling to others that you think they’re the greatest.
    • Example: “Who else could break through their defense and sprint 100 yards to a touchdown 3 times in one game? I’m telling you, he’s him.”
    • Example: “He can act circles around most other celebs. He’s him.”
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Section 4 of 5:

Examples of Athletes Using “I’m Him”

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  1. You’ll usually hear “I’m him” when watching sports, and basketball in particular. It’s become something of a cultural phenomenon on the court and in interviews, and is especially common from players who just performed exceptionally well. For example:
    • In a 2022 interview, LeBron James said, “I don’t give a f*** what nobody think. I’m him,” while talking about shaking off his naysayers. [5]
    • In 2022, Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant stanced up to the fans and said, “I’m him” after scoring. [6]
    • In 2022, Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey shouted , “I’m him! I love it when they count me out!” after scoring a touchdown. [7]
    • In 2023, Amadou Onana , a soccer player who plays for Everton, mouthed “I’m him” to the camera after scoring against Southampton. [8]
    • In 2023, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was recorded declaring, “I’m him,” after throwing a touchdown pass.
Section 5 of 5:

Related Slang

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  1. A taunt used when someone seems to think they’re impressive or all that, but you want to knock their confidence down a peg. They think they’re him, but they’re not really anybody.
    • Example: “Look at the way he’s yelling and doing laps after that free throw. Bro thinks he’s him.”
  2. A sillier variant of the “him” in “I’m him” that combines “him” with the name Timothy for no apparent reason other than comedic value. It’s more tongue-in-cheek and playful than “I’m him” or “He thinks he’s him.”
    • Example: “She dodged him and nearly broke his ankles with that fake-out. She’s Himothy.”
  3. An acronym that stands for Greatest of All Time. It’s usually used as a reverential title for people who are undeniable icons in their field, perhaps the best to ever perform in their given sport, genre, or any other field of expertise.
    • Example: “We get a new album from the GOAT tomorrow. I just know rap will never be the same thanks to him.”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/bro-thinks-hes-him-im-him
      2. ↑ https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kevin-gates-im-him/
      3. ↑ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kevin+Gates&ti=&format=&type=#search_section
      4. ↑ https://theathletic.com/5125272/2023/12/10/anthony-davis-lakers-win-nba-in-season-tournament/
      5. ↑ https://x.com/uninterrupted/status/1549537067205541892
      6. ↑ https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1481318459019608074
      7. ↑ https://x.com/RamsNFL/status/1571640361193472000
      8. ↑ https://x.com/exceedingxpuns/status/1614287873800564737

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