Sheletta helps with the state’s new Wolves-inspired slogan Edwards

“Bring your ass.”

An improvised post-match commentary from Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to TNT announcer and NBA great Charles Barkley, it quickly became the catchphrase for Minnesota fans excited for the series against the Dallas Mavericks.

“I was watching it live. I thought, oh wow, he did it for the culture,” comedian, podcaster and WCCO Radio host Sheletta Brundidge said of Anthony’s banter with Barkley. “I knew exactly what he meant.”

But as the phrase gained momentum, Brundidge determined that enthusiastic Timberwolves fans – primarily his “white friends” – were not doing the phrase “Bring your ass” justice when they repeated it.

“It’s not three syllables. It’s only two syllables. It’s three words but it’s two syllables. Because “you” and “ass” are together. So it’s “Bring Y’ass,” she said. “It’s black talk.”

Brundidge took to social and broadcast media to correct widespread faulty pronunciation. His humorous tutorials quickly became a phenomenon, with over 60,000 impressions on X (formerly Twitter) and thousands of views and shares of his videos posted on Facebook and Instagram.

“When the national media spotlight shines on our great city and we announce our new slogan, I want to make sure they don’t make fun of us. I want us to say it correctly,” Brundidge said. “I want us to represent well.”

Brundidge patiently coached Breaking the News anchor Jana Shortal on the intricacies of the phrase in a video broadcast on KARE 11 and posted to YouTube.

“You put an R on Ya. “Get your ass on.” “No,” Brundidge explained. “Come on.” Come on, do it with me.

Still in the game, Shortal repeated the catchphrase until she got Brundidge’s approval, even after Brundidge urged him to “put a little stink on it.”

Brundidge complimented Shortal on Facebook, saying that after their lesson, the KARE host “sounded like Della Reese in Harlem Nights.”

Brundidge also allayed Shortal’s concerns that saying the slogan as Brundidge had advised would be considered offensive.

“This is not cultural appropriation. Y’ass is a word and you don’t have to be black to say it,” Brundidge said reassuringly. “It’s the new slogan for the state of Minnesota and the people of the great state of Minnesota need to say it right. This slogan is for all of us. We have to say it better than anyone in the country.

Brundidge added that she is “making appointments, holding virtual meetings, working with people in person,” to teach them how to say the phrase.

His individual videos coaching WCCO Radio reporter Steve Simpson and political consultant Blois Olson went viral on social media, with users posting their gratitude and appreciation for his explanation.

“Oh my god! I need to practice, I said everything wrong!” one follower posted. “Get your ass!! If this old white woman can do it, anyone can do it. You bet! wrote another.

Brundidge plans to continue her individual mission in what she calls her “uphill battle” to help Timberwolves fans get it right.

If you need encouragement to put your own stink on the phrase, here’s the YouTube link to his tutorial!

Come on wolves! And bring your ass!