New Times,
New Thinking.

26 August 2017

Big up MLE – the origins of London’s 21st century slang

The communities that created Notting Hill Carnival have shaped language as well. 

By Sanjana Varghese

“Let’s settle this: Big Narstie debates who can say wagwan.”

For an unsuspecting BBC iPlayer viewer, this might just be another incomprehensible video. But for most people under the age of 30, it makes perfect sense. Obviously, popular grime MC Big Narstie would be addressing the contentious issue of whether white people can say “wagwan” – “what’s going on” – as a greeting.

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