Nigerian singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur , born Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, has reignited conversations around the origin of the popular festive phrase Detty December, asserting that he was the one who coined the term while working in Ghana as a show promoter.
Speaking to a charged audience at his annual concert in Accra, Mr Eazi recounted how the phrase came into being during his early hustling days in Ghana’s entertainment space. According to him, the idea was born organically among friends who were organizing events during the December festive season.
“While working as a show promoter with my friends, I suggested that we call our December event ‘Detty December’. Hashtag Detty December,” he told the crowd. “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.”
Despite making the bold claim about its origin, the Leg Over hitmaker was quick to clarify that the phrase has since outgrown individual ownership and now belongs to everyone who participates in the festive culture.
“Detty December is bigger than Mr Eazi. It’s bigger than anybody. Detty December is for all of us,” he added, drawing loud cheers from fans at the venue.
Over the past decade, Detty December has evolved into a defining cultural movement across Nigeria and Ghana, describing a season packed with concerts, festivals, parties, beach outings, homecomings, and nightlife experiences. What started as a casual slang has now become an economic and cultural force, driving tourism, entertainment, fashion, and hospitality during the Christmas and New Year period.
Cities like Lagos and Accra have become global December destinations, attracting Africans in the diaspora, international tourists, and global artistes who time their visits and performances to coincide with the festive season. Events such as Detty Rave, Afro Nation, and several headline concerts have helped cement West Africa’s place on the global entertainment calendar.
Mr Eazi’s comments also revive memories of a major controversy that erupted in 2019 when Nigerian entrepreneur , wife of award-winning musician , secured a legal trademark for the phrase Detty December.
The move sparked widespread backlash across social media, with many Nigerians arguing that the term was a shared cultural expression that should not be owned or commercialised by a single individual or corporate entity. Critics described the trademark as an attempt to privatise a communal slang that had been freely used and popularised by the public.
Although the trademark registration was defended at the time as a business decision tied to branding and intellectual property protection, the debate highlighted deeper tensions between culture and commerce, and who gets to profit from grassroots movements that emerge organically from the people.
Mr Eazi’s latest remarks appear to strike a more inclusive tone. While asserting that the phrase originated from his creative circle, he emphasized that its meaning goes beyond branding or ownership. For him, Detty December represents a mindset — a season of reconnection, freedom, enjoyment, and intentional living.
Industry observers note that regardless of who coined the phrase, Mr Eazi’s role in popularising it cannot be ignored. Through his music, events, and cultural influence, he has consistently promoted December as a time for celebration and African excellence, particularly among young people.
As an entrepreneur, Mr Eazi has also been instrumental in building platforms that empower creatives across the continent. From music distribution to live events, his ventures continue to shape how African culture is consumed globally.
In Ghana, where he once lived and worked before rising to fame, his influence remains strong. His decision to host Detty Rave in Accra underscores the deep cultural exchange between Ghana and Nigeria, especially during the festive season when borders blur and shared identities take centre stage.
Today, Detty December is no longer just a phrase. It is a season, a movement, and an experience that defines how millions of Africans celebrate the end of the year. From packed concert arenas and luxury beach resorts to street food joints and family homes, the spirit of Detty December continues to thrive.
Whether credited to one individual or many, its impact is undeniable. And as Mr Eazi himself admits, the phenomenon has become bigger than any single name — a cultural legacy owned by everyone who lives it.
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