Pepe the Frog is a character that has become a cultural phenomenon in the digital age. It’s a meme that has taken over the internet and become a staple in online conversations. From its origins to its most recent controversy, this blog post will cover everything you need to know about Pepe the Frog meme.
How it started
Pepe the Frog first appeared in 2005 as a character in a comic book called “Boy’s Club” created by artist Matt Furie. In the comic, Pepe was depicted as a laid-back frog who enjoyed hanging out with his friends, but he quickly gained popularity online for his relatable and humorous personality.
The first recorded instance of Pepe being used as a meme was in 2008 on the online imageboard 4chan, where users would post variations of the character with different captions. From there, Pepe’s popularity grew, and he became a staple in online communities such as Reddit and Twitter.
Creator History
Matt Furie, the creator of Pepe, initially intended for the character to represent the chill and carefree attitude of his generation. However, as the character gained popularity online, Furie struggled to maintain control of Pepe’s image and how it was being used.
In 2015, Pepe began to be associated with the alt-right movement, which caused Furie to publicly denounce the use of his character for any racist or hate-filled purposes. However, the damage was done, and Pepe’s image continued to be used in various contexts, including as a symbol of white supremacy.
In 2017, Furie went as far as to “kill off” the character in a comic strip, depicting Pepe’s funeral. However, the meme persisted, and Pepe’s image continued to be used by various groups.
Where it’s most used
Pepe the Frog meme has become a global phenomenon and can be seen across various online platforms. The meme is particularly prevalent on social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit, where users frequently share Pepe images with different captions.
Pepe’s image has also been used in a variety of cultural contexts. For example, Pepe has been seen in music videos, on clothing, and in video games. However, Pepe’s popularity has also led to controversy, as some groups have used the meme to spread hate speech or promote extremist ideologies.
$Pepe the memecoin hype of the last weeks
Recently, Pepe the Frog meme has made a resurgence in the form of a cryptocurrency called $PEPE. The memecoin was created in April 2023 and is based on the Ethereum blockchain. The coin’s creators intended it to be a fun and light-hearted way to engage with the Pepe meme.
Since its launch, $PEPE has gained popularity among meme enthusiasts and has seen its value increase significantly. However, the coin’s popularity has also led to concerns about its sustainability, and some have criticized it as a “pump and dump” scheme.
Despite the controversy surrounding $PEPE, the meme’s popularity shows no signs of waning. Pepe the Frog remains an enduring cultural phenomenon, and his image will likely continue to be used in a variety of contexts for years to come. This morning it entered the top 100 of market caps on coingecko, fueled by announcements of a new $pepe listing on exchanges like Binance, Kucoin, and Crypto.com.
You can even trade it on leverage on exchanges like Bybit.
Conclusion
Pepe the Frog meme is a unique and enduring cultural phenomenon that has captivated audiences worldwide. From its humble beginnings as a character in a comic book to its current controversy as a symbol of extremism, Pepe has seen it all. Despite the ups and downs, Pepe’s image continues to be a staple in online communities, and his popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you love or hate the Pepe meme, it’s impossible to deny its impact on internet culture.
