#AMAKAxNATIVE

The origin of the word zazuu is constantly debated, some say it came from the Yoruba term, s’azu which means to spend lavishly but some say it is a word of Hausa origin coined from the vibrant city of Zazzau, Regless of its origin, one thing that is not in contention is its unbelievable and growing significance among Nigerian youth, especially those considered to be street urchin.

In 2019, renowned rapper Olamide Adedeji, known in these streets as Badoo released a song called “Zazuu Zeh!” where he featured an up and coming musician known popularly as Portable. The song quickly gathered a lot of fanfare due to its infectious melody and Portable’s eccentric delivery especially with the repeated line “who dey zazuu?” pushing it deep into the consciousness of the average Nigerian.

Zazuu goes beyond the musical as it has become a versatile street slang which can be said in different situations. At its root, it reflects affluence, the capacity to display money and the ability to spend said money lavishly. You’d often hear sentences like “I’m living Zazuu'' or “the house is zazuu” used by the youth as a way to project a superficial image of success, which is something constantly sought after in a country constantly on the brink of financial ruin.Even at this, Zazuu goes beyond material possession as it has become an anthem for nonconformity and individuality especially the Nigerian Youth living in urbanized areas who often feel trapped by societal expectations. With Zazuu, they can carve out an identity of their own embracing self-expression to the fullest, signifying difference, not following any crowd and doing things the way you prefer.

The use of the word and its connection to Nigerian individuality isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It emphasizes a nonchalant display of wealth which feeds on materialistic ideals and breeds a sense of instant gratification.This pressure to maintain a Zazuu lifestyle can push youth further into debt or nefarious ventures to fund their not so prudent lifestyles.

Zazuu could also be interpreted as disdain and disrespect for constituted authority or tradition further expanding the rift between those in power and the people they govern.

These pitfalls notwithstanding, Zazuu’s impact on Nigerian youth is not in contention, it has become a language, a symbol of status and a way of life fostering this deep sense of community among those who identify with the word, a unity through shared slang and cultural references. It expands the boundaries of language exploring the dynamic nature of Nigerian youth culture and its ability to repurpose and recondition words to fit their needs.

Just like any other trend, the word Zazuu will fade away but not the reason it became popular. It might become a relic of a time past as so many pop culture references soon become in this world of constant change due to the availability of technology but while the word still rings in the ears of the youth, it will continue to reflect their aspirations, hopes, their anxieties, and unending desire to carve their own place in a world that seems to have their backs against the wall with the unending pressures of financial security.

Link to my CV:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/162W0SSclYDhmguiEebffcmbwTD_LumXT/view?usp=drivesdk