Who Is Big Zuu? The UK Rapper Who Dissed Eminem
In an era where authenticity often gets lost in image, Big Zuu stands out as a rare voice—raw, relatable, and remarkably versatile.
Born Zuhair Hassan in West London, Big Zuu has carved out a unique space in British culture as a grime MC, television presenter, chef, and social activist.
From freestyling in youth clubs to winning BAFTA awards and serving up meals to celebrities, his journey is a story of creativity born from struggle, and ambition shaped by community.
But in 2025, Big Zuu made headlines for something entirely different: a surprise diss track targeting Eminem, one of hip-hop’s most revered legends. The move shocked fans and critics alike, raising eyebrows across both the UK and US rap scenes.
- Related Content: Who Is Skepta? Biography, Career, Albums, Early Life & More
This biography dives deep into the life, music, career, and controversy surrounding Big Zuu—exploring how a West London youth worker became one of the UK’s most unpredictable and influential cultural figures.
Early Life & Upbringing
Zuhair Hassan was born on “19 August 1995” and grew up on the Mozart Estate in “West London”, navigating stays in temporary housing across areas like Victoria, Battersea, Swiss Cottage, and Kilburn.
is mother, a Sierra Leonean refugee, raised him largely on her own after his Lebanese father was absent during his childhood.
As a child, Zuu stood out in school as a smart, cheeky class clown who used humor to connect with others.
Though his mother had limited formal education, he thrived academically and found confidence through mischief and creativity.
Youth Work & Community Mentoring
After finishing secondary school, Big Zuu spent a gap year mentoring young people at a secondary school in “Haggerston, East London”.
He then enrolled at “Goldsmiths, University of London”, studying community development and youth work for two years before dropping out to focus on creative pursuits.
Entry into the Grime Scene
Raised alongside his cousin “AJ Tracey”, Zuu began freestyling with friends at youth clubs and pirate radio stations like Mode FM.
He formed part of the “MTP (My Team Paid)” crew, where his early demos—recorded under the rule of no expletives—helped develop his inventive lyrical style.
Musically, he draws inspiration from legends like “Tupac”, “Skepta”, “Ghetts”, “JME”, and “P Money”.
Music Releases & Collaborations
- In *2017*, Big Zuu independently released a self-titled *EP*, quickly followed by his first mixtape.
- In *2018*, he featured alongside KSI on the track “Uncontrollable”, which charted in the UK and elevated his exposure within grime and crossover rap circles.
- His debut studio album *Navigate* was released on **22 October 2021**, further cementing his place in the UK rap scene
From Social Cookery to BAFTA Stardom
Big Zuu’s passion for cooking began in childhood—helping around the house from age 10—and was refined through GCSE food technology at school and professional stints at Harvester and *Nando’s*, despite proclaiming the grill was "so hot I was melting like a candle"
He originally shared cooking videos on *Snapchat*, which led to radio segments, blog features, and eventually the pilot for *Big Zuu’s Big Eats*, commissioned by Dave in *late 2019*.
The show premiered on “15 May 2020” and has run for at least “four seasons”, with “38 episodes” so far.
It features Zuu, Tubsey, and Hyder cooking meals for touring comedians from their branded food truck, sourcing ingredients from local shops, and blending food, humor, and culture.
In “May 2022”, “Big Zuu’s Big Eats” won two “BAFTA TV Awards”: Best Feature and Best Entertainment Performance for Zuu himself.
Exploring Faith & Identity:
In “April 2024”, Big Zuu presented the BBC documentary “Big Zuu Goes to Mecca”, chronicling his “Umrah pilgrimage” during Ramadan.
He reflected on an evolving relationship with Islam, facing challenges like cutting his hair, letting go of vanity, and embracing community during the journey.
The documentary will be broadcast on “14 April 2024” on BBC Two and iPlayer.
The 2025 Eminem Diss Track: “Bun Em”
On “16 July 2025”, Big Zuu released a diss track titled “Bun Em”, using the instrumental of Eminem’s 2004 hit "Just Lose It".
In the lyrics, he refers to Eminem as a "little hillbilly," references his daughter “Hailie Jade”, jabs at his parenting skills, and calls into question his lyrical relevance.
He also targets Eminem’s late friend “Proof”, drawing strong criticism.
Critical and public reaction was harsh: one review described “Bun Em” as a "spectacular miss" with cliché rhymes, and many online users dismissed it as embarrassing or corny.
Public Image, Impact & Legacy
Beyond music and TV, Big Zuu remains deeply committed to community and representation.
He has spoken widely about food poverty, youth outreach, and the importance of diversity behind the camera—crediting “Natalie Rose”, a commissioning editor, for championing his early work.
His production company “Big Productions” aims to uplift underrepresented creators in the media industry .
Zuu is also known for his love of “Liverpool FC”, for which he wrote a viral freestyle featured in BBC’s Premier League coverage.
He remains a symbol of creative versatility: a rapper, chef, presenter, entrepreneur and cultural advocate—someone who turned humble beginnings into across-the-board influence.
Big Zuu’s journey—from freestyling grime in youth clubs to winning BAFTAs and cooking for celebs—reflects wide-ranging ambition grounded in community, culture, and authenticity.
His 2025 diss track “Bun Em,” targeting Eminem, was a provocative move that sparked global attention, though its reception leaned more toward criticism than acclaim.
Whether through music, TV, or public dialogue, Zuu continues to challenge norms and uplift voices often overlooked.