Big Shaq

Tough-talking grime rapper Big Shaq is the comic creation of English actor Michael Dapaah, who created the online mockumentary series Somewhere in London. Inspired by the London grime scene, Dapaah’s Big Shaq (aka Roadman Shaq) character appeared on various online freestyle videos — including a spot on Charlie Sloth’s Fire in the Booth — before being referenced by British Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn in one of his political speeches. His debut single, the platinum “Man’s Not Hot,” was issued in September 2017. The tongue-in-cheek look at the grime lifestyle peaked in the Top Three of the U.K. singles chart upon release, later landing on Australian and European charts. Contributing to the viral success of the track, the video for “Man’s Not Hot” recruited American rappers Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Yachty, and DJ Khaled, expanding the song’s viral success to the U.S. In 2018, Big Shaq followed with another declaration, “Man Don’t Dance.” ~ Rich Wilson & Neil Z. Yeung