S4 Ep 7: Big Zuu

Summary

In this episode of Hip Hop Saved My Life, host Romesh Ranganathan is joined by collaborator Ben Green to interview the multi-talented Big Zuu. The conversation explores Zuu’s rapid ascent as a television presenter, his background as a grime MC, and his unique ability to bridge the worlds of music and mainstream media. The hosts discuss Zuu’s successful cooking show, where he crafts bespoke meals for comedians, and how the program’s organic, unpolished feel—aided by the inclusion of his real-life friends—contributed to its success on the channel Dave. Zuu reflects on his journey from writing early bars in his youth to becoming a staple of the UK grime scene, emphasizing the importance of staying true to his roots even as he navigates larger commercial opportunities. The discussion also touches on the influence of his mother, the evolution of grime as a distinctly British art form, and the early days of discovering music through CDs and digital file-sharing platforms. Throughout the episode, Zuu shares insights on balancing his creative output, from his passion for radio and spitting bars to his growing ambitions in the television industry.

Updated Jun 1, 2026