Nigerian singer and business mogul Mr Eazi has asserted that he is the original creator of the popular phrase “Detty December,” which has become the standard description for the intense festive partying culture in Nigeria and Ghana.
The Origin Story
While performing at his Detty Rave concert in Accra, Mr Eazi told the audience that the term was born during his days as a show promoter in Ghana. He explained that in 2016, he suggested the name and hashtag to his friends for an event they were organizing.
A Cultural Movement
However, the singer admitted that the concept has since evolved beyond his personal ownership. He described “Detty December” as a mindset of returning to one’s roots and intentionally enjoying life, noting that it now belongs to the general public rather than any single individual.
He stated:
“While working as a show promoter with my friends, I suggested that we call our December event ‘Detty December.’ Hashtag Detty December.
“So in 2016, me and my guys invented Detty December. And Detty December is all about going back to your roots, having fun and enjoying life intentionally. Detty December is bigger than Mr. Eazi. It’s bigger than anybody. Detty December is for all of us,”
Trademark Controversy
The report notes that the ownership of the phrase has previously been a subject of debate. In 2019, Deola Art Alade, wife of singer Darey Art Alade, sparked public outrage after legally trademarking “Detty December.” Many Nigerians at the time criticized the move, arguing that the slang was a shared cultural property that should not be monopolized by a corporate brand.