Lie-tino

Lie-tino / Lietino Definition: A coined neologistic adjective, blending the words "lie" and "Latino", used to characterize the behavior of a small subset of individuals of Latino descent—particularly those of Puerto Rican heritage —who became widely known in FBA grassroots circles for exaggerating or distorting historical facts regarding the origins and history of Hip Hop culture during online debates. Though sometimes provocative, the term is intended as a satirical descriptor, not a pejorative noun or ethnic slur. Background: Coined in the early 2020s during online debates about Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary, the term arose as some Nuyoricans (Puerto Ricans from the Bronx) argued their cultural centrality to Hip Hop. These debates, occurring during the COVID-19 lockdowns and beyond, prompted backlash from grassroots Foundational Black Americans (FBA), who emphasized that Hip Hop’s core elements were created nationwide and exclusively by FBA artists, particularly drawing from Southern Black musical traditions. As claims from the Nuyorican side grew more combative and exaggerated, FBA commentators coined “Lietino/Lie-tino” as a satirical nickname. YouTube content creator Great Black Shark is credited with originating the term.