Dunn language (slang)

The dunn language is a style of street slang spoken by East Coast rappers which was popularized in the mid-1990s by rappers such as Mobb Deep, Big Noyd, Capone-N-Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi, Nas, AZ, and some members of the Wu-Tang Clan. The term dunn language has its origin in the Mobb Deep song "Quiet Storm," from their 1999 album Murda Muzik in which Prodigy raps: "You's a dick blower tryin' to speak the dunn language/ What the drilly wit' that though/ It ain't bangin'/ You hooked on Mobb Phonics/ Infamous 'bonics."

The word 'dunn' itself supposedly originated in the Queensbridge housing projects with an acquaintance of Prodigy's whose speech impediment prevented him from pronouncing the slang term 'son.' Mobb Deep has attempted to claim ownership of the language (as seen in the above quote).

Some common words & phrases in the dunn language: dunn, or dunn-dunn, kiko (friend), word is bond, crab nigga (a coware; one who, when threatened, hides in their "shell" like a crab), dome (head), slug (bullet).