Whassup?

This article focuses primarily on an advertisement campaign. For details the phrase itself, see What's up.

Whassup? was a catch phrase of an Budweiser advertising campaign in early 2000s. It is used as an alternative way to say "What's up?". Variations include "Wazzup?" and "Wassup?".

The ad campaign was created by Charles Stone III, Fred Thomas, Paul Williams and Scott Brooks. In 1998, Stone directed a two minute short movie called "True" in which four people would sit around using the catch phrase. The short movie caught the attention of the Chicago based Budweiser ad agency and signed Stone to direct television commericals based on the concept.

The catch phrase and the advertisments that spawned it, has been parodied worldwide, often using colloquialisms that appeal to a regional audience. For example, a parody of Yorkshiremen used the catchphrase Ey up! This also is a term used by "gangstas" or "straight up G's" the people are the "shiznit," "yo homie dawg." This is and example of some "gangsta lingo,"..."byotch"

Reference

• "They're up: With a stop at Comerica Park, the friends starring in Budweiser's 'Whassup' commercials say hello to success", Detroit Free Press, (April 21, 2000)