The music of 2024 has given us countless catchy phrases that have become a part of our daily conversation.

We declared, “This ain’t Texas” and “They not like us.”

We smirked and asked, “Yes, and?”

We cooed, “That’s that me espresso.”

And I know you’ve seen endless Instagram club selfies captioned with, “Everybody at the bar gettin’ tipsy.”

Megan Thee Stallion has also entered the chat. The Houston native, who released third album “Megan” last month, has a viral hit with “Mamushi,” an English and Japanese song featuring rapper Yuki Chiba. Against droning, minimalist production, Megan proclaims, “Okane kasegu, watashi wa suta” — “I get money, I’m a star.”

The brilliantly simple song connected instantly with listeners. TikTok user @mona712_official created an easy-to-follow dance with a few hand and hip movements that went viral and inspired a flurry of imitators, including Megan herself. The song has since been used in 1.6 million TikTok videos. And that was before it was released as a proper single. Last week, “Mamushi” was the most added song at urban radio. Megan performed the song, and the dance, during a rally last week for Vice President Kamala Harris. She also created another TikTok video backstage. A music video for “Mamushi” dropped Friday morning.

“I love the interchange between English and Japanese,” says Guilla, a Houston rapper whose music is also heavily influenced by a “Boa,nime and Japanese culture. His 2023 album “Obliterated” features the songs “Naruto Running in the Gym” and “Ahiru No Sora.”

“I don’t think she appropriates the culture for the money or exposure. I think she has a genuine love that she prides herself in and shares with the world.”

Indeed, Megan has been a proud weeb (fan of anime and Japanese culture) for several years. As far back as 2019, she name checked Sasuke, a character from “Naruto,” in her song “Girls in the Hood.” That same year, her “Running Up Freestyle” referenced “Pokemon” (“Yellow diamonds, Pikachu”) and “Dragon Ball Z” (“When I switch my hair to blonde / I’m finna turn up like Goku”). The love is mutual. Manga artist Shōta Noguchi has used Megan as a reference in drawings of Mirko, a character from “My Hero Academia.”

“Wanna Be,” Megan’s 2024″ duet with GloRilla, includes the line, “I’m the female titan,” a reference to the anime “Attack on Titan.” Megan regularly showcases detailed anime cosplays on her Instagram. The influences are also apparent in many of her stage outfits, hairstyles and even nails. Several of her merch drops have included anime-inspired pieces. She teamed up with anime streaming service Crunchyroll in 2020 for a limited collection of shirts and hoodies and was a presenter at this year’s Anime Awards.

“I genuinely appreciate how she promotes Japanese art and culture through her music. Her ability to blend contemporary sounds with cultural elements is refreshing, and it opens doors for greater appreciation of Japanese artistry,” says Deneice Leigh, founder and chairman of Anime Matsuri. The popular convention’s 17th edition runs through Aug. 11 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Leigh is also co-owner of The Anime Bar in Sugar Land and says one of her favorite female rappers is Awich from Okinawa, Japan because, like Megan, her “powerful and playful lyrics” resonate with and empower women.

During a 2020 Instagram Live with Crunchyroll host Tim Lyu, Megan explained her love of all things anime.

“I always liked the storylines. You grow with the characters. You see all the trials and tribulations they gotta go through, and you see him meet new people along the line that really help him become the hero that he’s meant to be. I feel like I apply that to my life,” she said.

This year’s “Megan” album is her clearest love letter to Japanese culture. “Mamushi,” with its references to Japanese food and nightlife, has gone worldwide. It topped Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart and is among the 15 most Shazamed songs in Japan. A mamushi is a venomous pit viper species found in Japan, continuing the album’s serpent theme.

 “Boa,” the album’s third single, is an homage to Boa Hancock, known as the “Snake Princess,” from the popular “One Piece” anime. “Otaku Hot Girl” seems destined to be another single. Virtually every line contains an anime reference, and the spoken intro is by Adam McArthur, the English-language voice of “Jujutsu Kaisen” protagonist Yuji Itadori.

Chris Doan, owner of PopFancy in Asiatown, says the rise of social media has created a global connection that is ultimately amplified by celebrities such as Megan, Lizzo, Billie Eilish and tennis player Naomi Osaka, all of whom have proudly showcased their love of Japanese and anime culture.

“When I was in high school and middle school, it was definitely not cool to like anime. The only way you could watch was tuning in during odd hours. Now through the interconnectivity of social media, anime ‘nerds’ can wave their freak flags freely,” Doan says. Popfancy hosts monthly events dedicated to specific animes and aspects of Japanese pop culture.

“Megan has been consistently and unapologetically expressing her love for anime culture for a long time. It’s part of her brand and why so many young people are drawn to her music and persona.”