The Complicated Relationship Between Shaku Shaku and Drug Abuse in Nigeria

Nigeria’s popular Shaku Shaku dance movement has taken the country by storm, but beneath the catchy beats and viral moves lies a troubling connection to drug abuse that has sparked national debate and concern.

What is Shaku Shaku?

Shaku Shaku emerged as Nigeria’s most popular dance craze in 2017-2018, originating from the streets of Agege in Lagos. The dance movement became so influential that it created an entire subculture, launched new artists into stardom, and gave established musicians fresh relevance. In many ways, Shaku Shaku has become what the controversial Yahoozey dance was a decade earlier – a cultural phenomenon that extends far beyond music and dance.

The Dark Origins

According to DJ Real, who is widely credited for the rise of Small Doctor and the Shaku Shaku movement, the dance has troubling roots. He claims that Shaku Shaku was named after the way street urchins (awawa boys) danced after smoking large amounts of marijuana. The dance reportedly started among these street youth in the grittier parts of Agege before spreading to other areas of Lagos through street parties.

Nigeria’s Growing Drug Problem

The timing of Shaku Shaku’s rise coincides with Nigeria’s escalating drug crisis. The country faces twin challenges of drug availability and abuse that have worsened among millennials. While marijuana becomes more socially acceptable and hard drugs like cocaine remain expensive and stigmatized, prescription medicines like Codeine and Tramadol have become the drugs of choice for many young Nigerians.

These opiates, prescribed for pain relief, are considered “downers” because they sedate users. Codeine, naturally derived from poppy plants, is found in cough syrups, while Tramadol is synthetic. Both drugs are highly addictive and bind to the brain’s opioid receptors, controlling pain, reward, and addictive behaviors.

The Alarming Statistics

The scale of abuse is staggering:

• Millions of bottles of codeine are consumed illegally every day across Nigeria
• A bottle of codeine cough syrup can be purchased on the street for just ₦1,000
• A 10-tablet strip of 100mg Tramadol costs as little as ₦100
• The NDLEA routinely busts trafficking rings worth millions of dollars

Music’s Role in the Crisis

Olamide’s “Science Student”

Rapper Olamide brought Shaku Shaku into mainstream music with his controversial hit “Science Student”. The song walks a thin line between documenting and glorifying drug culture. Its chorus includes lyrics like “Kosewe, kosegbo, kosewe, kosegbo; won ti po omi gutter po, oju ti dirty; won ti po chemical po, awon omo science students,” which translates to references about mixing gutter water and chemicals.

Olamide has insisted the song aims to highlight rather than promote drug culture, but the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) banned “Science Student” due to concerns about glorifying substance abuse. The controversy sparked much-needed national conversations about drug abuse among Nigerian youth.

Other Problematic Songs

DJ Enimoney’s song “Diet” featuring Reminisce and Tiwa Savage takes a more blatant approach to drug references. While the title seems innocent, the lyrics openly reference being “on a codeine diet”. Reminisce’s verse particularly stands out as he admits to being an active participant rather than just an observer of drug culture.

The BBC Documentary Impact

The relationship between Shaku Shaku and drug abuse gained international attention when the BBC released a documentary titled “Sweet Sweet Codeine” highlighting Nigeria’s codeine epidemic. The documentary embarrassed the Federal Government into hastily announcing a ban on the production of cough syrups containing codeine.

Cultural and Social Implications

The connection between Shaku Shaku and drug abuse represents a broader problem in Nigerian popular culture. Just as the Yahoozey dance became associated with internet fraud over a decade ago, Shaku Shaku risks becoming permanently linked with substance abuse.

The Controversy Continues

Religious groups have also criticized the dance movement. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) specifically called Shaku Shaku a “drug-related” dance when criticizing Falz’s “This Is Nigeria” music video, which featured women in hijabs performing the dance.

The Way Forward

Experts call for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the intersection of popular culture and drug abuse. This should include discussions about:

• Mental health awareness and support
• Addiction treatment and rehabilitation
• Unemployment and youth empowerment
• Regulation of prescription drug sales
• Responsible content creation in entertainment

Conclusion

While Shaku Shaku has undoubtedly brought joy and cultural expression to millions of Nigerians, its association with drug abuse cannot be ignored. The dance movement serves as a mirror reflecting deeper societal issues that require urgent attention. As Nigeria continues to grapple with substance abuse among its youth, the entertainment industry faces the challenge of creating content that reflects reality without promoting harmful behaviors.

The controversy surrounding Shaku Shaku and songs like “Science Student” has at least succeeded in one important way – it has forced Nigeria to confront its drug problem and engage in difficult but necessary conversations about the role of popular culture in shaping social behaviors.