Michael Dapaah on Big Shaq’s incredible year: ‘I never thought Jeremy Corbyn would be quoting me’

It’s safe to say that Big Shaq’s Man’s Not Hot has woven itself into the fabric of 2017.

The track – first born as a joke verse for Charlie Sloth’s Fire In The Booth – is loved by DJ Khaled and Drake, was introduced to Stanley Johnson in the jungle, and has been quoted in the House of Commons.

And the man behind Big Shaq, Michael Dapaah, was just as surprised by the song infiltrating British politics.

Speaking to metro.co.uk at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball with Coca-Cola, Michael said: ‘I never ever thought Jeremy Corbyn would be quoting me! When I saw that video, I had to watch it three times, I thought it was fake. I rewinded it, and was like, “Did he just say that?”

‘The House Of Commons one made me laugh too. It just goes to show you the power of the internet. People just want to have a bit of fun, something uplifting, funny, that’s got a melody to it. That’s what we try to do.’

Man’s Not Hot reached the top five in the UK, and has racked up over 100 million views on YouTube – with the year ending with Big Shaq on the Jingle Bell Ball on a bill with Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and The Script.

Michael told us: ‘It’s amazing, I feel honoured. Humbled, to be honest with you. It’s a great thing.’

‘You go in there for it to do well, but in terms of the way it’s blown up, I didn’t expect it to be as global as it is. Definitely in the UK, but for it to be so global? It’s just God’s work, isn’t it?’

And despite the UK-centric humour in the song, Michael wasn’t surprised that it caught on in the US market.

He said: ‘I just wanted people to kind of bite into the culture and what we’re creating. So I’m happy that people from different parts of the world are able to get an insight into what’s going on over here.’

So what lies ahead in 2018 for the year’s most unlikely music superstar?

Michael said: ‘Definitely more from the web series, put some more smiles on people’s faces. Just more content.’

And does Big Shaq have any big collaborations in the works? ‘Wouldn’t you like to know?’

What a tease.

MORE : Big Shaq and X Factor winners Rak-Su join the Jingle Bell Ball line-up

MORE : An MP just quoted Big Shaq’s Man’s Not Hot in a Commons debate