Detty December, Lagos’s famed festive season, has delivered its first viral moment, and it involves a borrowed supercar, mistaken identity, and a now-iconic declaration.
UK-based Nigerian podcaster Madame Joyce caused a commotion upon her arrival in Lagos after cruising through the city in a Lamborghini Urus borrowed from Nigerian street-pop star Zlatan Ibile. Recognising the singer’s signature vehicle, excited fans swarmed the car, convinced Zlatan was inside and chanting his name.
A video captured the tense yet comical scene as a flustered Joyce, trapped behind the vehicle’s tinted, rolled-up windows, attempted to clarify the situation to the growing crowd. Her efforts to explain were futile against the fans’ enthusiasm. The moment reached its peak when she later posted a now-viral video, looking directly at the camera to firmly state, “I’m not Zlatan, he only let me use his car.”
The phrase has since exploded online, becoming the season’s first major meme and a humorous shorthand for managing grand, yet mistaken, expectations. It perfectly encapsulates the high-stakes glamour of Detty December, where arrivals are performances and even a borrowed Lamborghini can land you in an identity crisis.
This moment marks a fascinating evolution from her last Detty December, which she famously themed “High Profile.” It seems she has mastered the art of turning festive season arrivals into curated personal narratives.
Last year’s “High Profile” was a statement of intent; this year’s “I’m Not Zlatan” is a statement of effect. It humorously acknowledges a level of fame so significant that it requires correction. Both memes are perfectly crafted for an era where social media buzz is the ultimate party accessory.
