The Brief: Hot Boy Summer is the male version of Hot Girl Summer and a synonym for City Boy Summer.
DEEP DIVE
What Is Hot Boy Summer?
This is a term inspired by “Hot Girl Summer” to refer to boys and men living their best lives this summer. As with City Boy Summer, it’s often implied that this will involve partying, spending time with friends, and casual hookups.
Hot boy summer in full swing. https://t.co/70DOACZdoF
— Reno.911 (@mcfluffinlol) July 9, 2019
On July 18, Future tweeted a Spotify playlist titled “Hot Boy Summer.”
Check out my #HotBoySummer Playlist on @Spotify https://t.co/IvWNi1ypM5
— FUTURE/FREEBANDZ (@1future) July 18, 2019
Hot Boy Summer vs. Hot Girl Summer
Although Megan Thee Stallion, the inspiration for the term “hot girl summer” stated that it’s for both women and men to enjoy, some men appear to have co-opted the term in order to take the focus and celebration away from women. In some cases, the men using the term are acting in a role similar to those of “men’s rights activists” or people who ask why there’s no “straight pride parade.” On Twitter, many people have expressed criticism for the way that this term is being used.
Sigh Megan Thee Stallion pushed the concept of a Hot Girl/ Hot Boy summer to encourage women and men to live their best lives. But boys hate seeing women live their best and decided hot boy summer means hurting women and ruining their experience for points. I’m sick
— aM i YoUr TyPe🥴🥴 (@__hto__) July 18, 2019
saying city boy/hot boy summer is like having a white history month.
— 𝔈𝔯𝔦. (@___nire_) July 5, 2019
I feel like everyone taking this “City boyz/City girlz” “Hot girl/Hot boy” summer thing the wrong way. The goal was to boss up and better yourself but y’all using it as an excuse to play, use & hurt people…y’all mad weird but carry on 🤷🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/MpGngvhtXu
— Chelley🥀 (@celeb_chellz) July 6, 2019
“Hot boy summer” is not a thing, it does not exist. Now, let’s move on.
— Mommiana (@EastAfricanCurl) July 10, 2019
Amidst this debate, it should be noted that some of the best #HotBoySummer memes don’t take the term too seriously…
hot boy summer pic.twitter.com/tricP1HF1m
— maitri thee scallion (@SorryMomDotGov) July 8, 2019
Hot boy summer pic.twitter.com/5PopuXH6aM
— lexapro logn / chelseas wh*re (@thelifeoflogn) July 2, 2019
Hot Boy Summer SZN In Full Swing
In spite of the controversy, there are many wholesome posts about Hot Boy Summer which along a similar vein as Hot Girl Summer, focus on self-care, self-love, and friendship.
wow that @fentybeauty lip scrub and lip balm will really elevate ya hot boy summer. pic.twitter.com/Z3mDMFhxuN
— josh edwards (@joshuedwrds) July 9, 2019
hot boy summer pic.twitter.com/Dz4mslkCRF
— LIL AARON (international music producer) (@lilaaron911) July 10, 2019
Hot boy summer. #Periodtpooh pic.twitter.com/ADacF28yEN
— chut💰 (@chut_3) July 5, 2019
a hot boy summer. ☄️ cc: @_jwigz pic.twitter.com/37YcDwE9AR
— gi² • lil daddy (@omgiigii) July 1, 2019
Man Crush Summer
Some people are using the phrase as they would #ManCrushMonday: to give shoutouts to men that they find attractive.
Did someone say HOT BOY SUMMER pic.twitter.com/Ke1GxFypJ2
— Ben Dunst 🏳️🌈 (@bpdunst) July 5, 2019
Of course Kpop stans have something to say about their favorite stars…
jungkook said it’s a hot boy summer pic.twitter.com/UcSNHFxgZa
— 𝒷𝒾𝒶𝓃𝒸𝒶 (@melakosmos) July 8, 2019