{{Short description|English rapper, singer and songwriter (born 1995)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}{{Use British English|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Big Zuu | image = Big Zuu.jpg | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter|DJ|television personality}} | caption = Big Zuu in 2021 | birth_name = Zuhair Hassan | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|08|19}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cdn.grmdaily.com/video/big-zuu-so-blessed |title=BIG ZUU CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH CLEAN VISUALS FOR "SO BLESSED" |publisher=GRM Daily |date=19 August 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> | birth_place = London, England | origin = Kilburn, London, England<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/27/big-zuu-interview-grenfell-hold-dat-grime |title=Grime MC Big Zuu: 'The people's response to Grenfell was way better than the government's' |last=Hancox |first=Dan |work=The Guardian |date=27 May 2018}}</ref> | genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|grime|}} | years_active = 2015–present<ref name="redbull">{{cite web |url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/big-zuu-interview |title=Big Zuu interview: AJ Tracey's cousin is blowing up |publisher=Red Bull |date=5 September 2018}}</ref> | label = {{hlist|Independent|Defenders Ent|DITTO}} | website = {{URL|bigzuu.co.uk}} }}
'''Zuhair Hassan''' (born 19 August 1995), known professionally as '''Big Zuu''', is an English rapper, singer, songwriter, DJ and television personality from West London. He is best known for presenting ''Big Zuu's Big Eats'' for U&Dave.
==Early and personal life== Hassan was born in London and grew up on the Mozart Estate in Harrow Road, which is located in West London.<ref name="guardian" /> His mother is from Sierra Leone and his father is from Lebanon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJrNeo1YYQU |title=Big Zuu Interview: KSI Collab, His Come Up, Being A Youth Worker and Music career Transition |publisher=Amarudontv via YouTube |date=11 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/big_zuus_big_eats/interview/big-zuu/ |title=Big Zuu interview - Big Zuu's Big Eats |work=British Comedy Guide |date=11 May 2020}}</ref> During his gap year between college and university, Hassan worked as a mentor for young children in a secondary school in Haggerston, East London.<ref name="redbull" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/big-zuu-doesnt-really-go-clubbing-except-the-time-he-went-with-drake/ |title=Big Zuu Doesn't Really Go Clubbing – Except The Time He Went With Drake |last=Bassil |first=Ryan |publisher=VICE |date=11 May 2020}}</ref> He then spent two years at Goldsmiths University in New Cross studying towards a community development and youth work degree. He is a member of the '''MTP crew''' ''(My Team Paid)'', a rap group that consists of his cousin AJ Tracey and other grime MCs such as Ets and others;<ref name="redbull"/> much like AJ Tracey, his first demos were recorded at their local youth centre, The Rugby Club, which let them use their studio so long as no expletives were used during the recording, forcing him to become creative to make his point.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/big-zuu-mn0003685908/biography|title=Big Zuu {{!}} Biography & History|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=23 May 2020}}</ref>
In a 2018 interview with Red Bull, Hassan stated that his music style was influenced by "old school" artists such as Tupac Shakur, Jme, P Money, Ghetts and Skepta.<ref name="redbull"/>
He is a supporter of Liverpool F.C.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/53268449 |title=Big Zuu's freestyle for Premier League winners Liverpool|publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 July 2020|accessdate=26 February 2021}}</ref>
==Television career== In late 2019, UKTV channel Dave commissioned a new food show starring Hassan and various stand-up comedians. The show, ''Big Zuu's Big Eats'', began broadcasting on 15 May 2020. It features Hassan and two friends, Tubsey and Hyder, in a 10-part series cooking for stand-up comedians who were touring the UK. For each comedian, they prepare a made-to-order pre-show appetizer, followed by a three-course meal.<ref name="comedyguide">{{cite news |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/5566/big_zuus_big_eats/ |title=Dave commissions new food show with Big Zuu and stand-ups |publisher=British Comedy Guide |date=26 November 2019}}</ref> Rosie Jones, Desiree Burch, Ed Gamble, Jamali Maddix, Jimmy Carr, Josh Widdicombe, London Hughes, Lou Sanders, Phil Wang and Guz Khan make guest appearances in the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/big_zuus_big_eats/ |title=Big Zuu's Big Eats |publisher=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> In September 2020 it was confirmed that the show would return for two special episodes followed by a second series in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/5938/big-zuus-big-eats-series-2/|title=Big Zuu's Big Eats to return to Dave|website=British Comedy Guide |date=14 September 2020}}</ref> The third series premiered on 4 July 2022; guests include Johnny Vegas, Katherine Ryan and Mel B.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalworld.com/culture/television/big-zuus-big-eats-season-3-dave-release-date-trailer-and-guests-including-alex-brooker-and-katherine-ryan-3743530|title=Big Zuu's Big Eats season 3: release date, trailer, and guests including Mel B, Big Narstie and Katherine Ryan|website=nationalworld.com/presscentre|accessdate=15 July 2022}}</ref>
He appeared on episode 11 of series 2 of ''Guessable''. He made an appearance on ''Jon & Lucy's Christmas Sleepover''.
Hassan presented ''Big Zuu's Breakfast Show'' on Sunday mornings throughout the spring and summer of 2022 on ITV.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-announces-new-weekend-shows-spring-2022|title=ITV announces new weekend shows for Spring 2022|website=itv.com/presscentre|date=17 March 2022|accessdate=17 March 2022}}</ref>
In May 2022, Hassan won two Bafta TV Awards – entertainment performance and features for his show ''Big Zuu’s Big Eats'' at the 2022 British Academy Television Awards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61243580|title=Bafta TV Awards 2022: Big Zuu, Jodie Comer and Sean Bean cook up success|work=BBC News |date=7 May 2022 |accessdate=9 May 2022}}</ref>
In 2024, Hassan presented ''Big Zuu Goes to Mecca'', a documentary about his Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca. In the documentary, he debated with a friend whether Hassan can be considered Muslim due to his alcohol consumption.<ref>{{cite web |title=Can you be religious and sin? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0hp1ts2 |publisher=BBC |access-date=14 April 2024 |date=8 April 2024}}</ref>
In 2025 he appeared on Celebrity Bear Hunt on Netflix.
He scored the winning goal for World XI at Soccer Aid 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cqxexzx0ddgo|title=Big Zuu and Tevez shine as Soccer Aid raises £15m|website=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2025}}</ref>
In 2026, Hassan was a contestant on the Taskmaster New Year's Treat special. He made a guest appearance on the 20th season of ''The Apprentice'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nz.news.yahoo.com/fifth-candidate-fired-apprentice-big-220000036.html |title=Fifth candidate fired from The Apprentice as Big Zuu makes guest appearance |date=19 February 2026 |website=Yahoo News |accessdate=19 February 2026}}</ref> where candidates had to create a marketing campaign based on his canned water brand, DRIP.
== Discography == ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"| UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |UK Ind. ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |SCO |- ! scope="row"| ''Navigate'' | * Released: 22/10/21<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelinkup.com/content/4977/review-big-zuu-s-debut-album-navigate|title=Review: Big Zuu's Debut Album 'Navigate'|website=thelinkup.com|accessdate=9 May 2022}}</ref> * Label: Big Joint Ltd, eOne Music UK * Formats: CD, digital download | - | - | - |}
=== Singles === ==== As featured artist ==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ ! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:20em;" |Title ! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:1em;" |Year ! colspan="3" scope="col" |Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:10em;" |Album |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |UK<ref name="UK">{{Cite web|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20180209/7501/|url-status=live|access-date=20 June 2020|website=Official Charts Company|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220152006/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20180209/7501/ |archive-date=20 February 2018 }}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |UK Ind.<ref name="independent">{{Cite web|title=Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20180209/130/|url-status=live|access-date=20 June 2020|website=Official Charts Company|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908203747/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-singles-chart/20180209/130/ |archive-date=8 September 2018 }}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |SCO<ref name="Scotland">{{Cite web|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20180209/41/|url-status=live|access-date=20 June 2020|website=Official Charts Company|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707005940/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20180209/41/ |archive-date=7 July 2018 }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |"Uncontrollable" <span style="font-size:85%;">(KSI featuring Big Zuu)</span> | 2018 | 89 | 11 | 85 | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |- | colspan="7" style="font-size:90%" |"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}
==Filmography== ===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Network ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2020–present | scope="row" | ''Big Zuu's Big Eats'' | rowspan="3"| Himself | rowspan="2"| Dave | 4 series | <ref>{{cite episode |season=1 |number=1|series=Big Zuu's Big Eats|network=Dave|date=20 May 2020}}</ref> |- | 2020 | scope="row"| ''Big Zuu's Christmas Eats'' | 2 Christmas Specials | <ref>{{cite episode |season=1 |number=1|series=Big Zuu's Christmas Eats|network=Dave|date=11 December 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3"| 2022 | ''Big Zuu's Breakfast Show'' | ITV | 8 episodes | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-zav9jp/big-zuus-breakfast-show-season-1/?episode=b-jcqob2|title=Big Zuu's Breakfast Show|website=radiotimes.com|access-date=17 April 2022}}</ref> |- | ''Hungry for It'' | Co-presenter | BBC Three | 8 episodes | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0c7228n/episodes/guide|title=Hungry for It Show|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=1 May 2022}}</ref> |- | ''Sneakerhead'' | Mulenga | Dave | Main cast | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://dave.uktv.co.uk/article/sneakerhead_/|title=Sneakerhead|website=dave.uktv.co.uk|access-date=15 July 2022}}</ref> |- | 2024–present | scope="row" | ''12 Dishes in 12 Hours'' | Presenter | ITV | | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/media-releases/itv1-and-itvx-commission-big-zuus-12-dishes-12-hours|title=ITV1 and ITVX commission Big Zuu's 12 Dishes in 12 Hours |website=itv.com/presscentre|access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref> |- | 2024 | scope="row" | ''Big Zuu Goes To Mecca'' | Presenter | BBC Two | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/big-zuu-goes-to-mecca|title=Big Zuu Goes To Mecca will follow double BAFTA-winning TV chef and rapper as he performs the pilgrimage of Umrah for the first time |website=bbc.co.uk/mediacentre|access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"| 2025 | scope="row" | ''Celebrity Bear Hunt'' | Contestant/Winner | Netflix | Reality competition television series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bear-hunt-netflix-line-up-holly-willoughby-bear-grylls-110912766.html|title=Full Celebrity Bear Hunt line-up with Holly Willoughby confirmed|website=uk.news.yahoo.com|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | ''Big Zuu & AJ Tracey’s Seriously Rich Flavours'' | Presenter | Sky Max | Three-part series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skygroup.sky/en-gb/article/big-zuu-aj-tracey-embark-on-a-global-quest-for-the-world-s-most-expensive-dishes-in-sky-max-s-new-original-series-big-zuu-aj-tracey-s-seriously-rich-flavours-coming-in-2025|title=Big Zuu & AJ Tracey embark on a global quest for the world's most expensive dishes in Sky Max's new original series Big Zuu & AJ Tracey's Seriously Rich Flavours, coming in 2025|website=skygroup.sky|access-date=23 November 2024}}</ref> |- | scope="row" | 2026 | ''Taskmaster'' | Contestant | Channel 4 | 2 episodes ("New Year Treat 6") | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/8557/taskmaster-new-year-treat-2026-line-up|title=Taskmaster New Year Treat 2026 line-up revealed|website=comedy.co.uk|access-date=24 November 2025}}</ref> |}
==Publications== * ''Big Zuu's Big Eats'' ({{ISBN|978-1785947292}}), 2021
==References== {{reflist}}
{{British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Big Zuu}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Black British DJs Category:Black British male rappers Category:Black British rappers Category:21st-century British rappers Category:English male rappers Category:21st-century British male rappers Category:English Muslims Category:English television personalities Category:Alumni of Goldsmiths, University of London Category:Rappers from the London Borough of Camden Category:Grime music artists Category:English people of Sierra Leonean descent Category:English people of Lebanese descent Category:Best Entertainment Performance BAFTA Award (television) winners Category:People from Kilburn, London Category:Rappers from the London Borough of Brent