BBM, Goodie Goodie, Share A Coke – Things Millennials Got to Experience that Gen Zs Haven’t, Yet
Every generation has that one era that defines its cool. For Gen Z, it’s the age of AI, TikTok, BeReal, and soft life aesthetics. For millennials? It was vibes, chaos, and cultural resets every other week that make you understand why the phrase “Back then” gets used often.
From BBM pings, indestructible phones, legacy Nollywood, dancing your heart out to win a notebook and Goodie Goodie at birthday parties, to the era of Falz’s ‘Ello Bae’ when finding your name on a Coke bottle made you a superstar.
Here are a few things millennials got to experience that Gen Zs missed out on until now.
The BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Era
Before WhatsApp and iMessage games became default, there was BBM. A messaging app, that quickly became a status identifier and cultural identity in itself. Your BBM pin was your social currency and networking (or flirting) came down to the words, “What’s your pin?”
A day in the life of a BBM user included seeing what friends were listening to, Broadcast messages, “DP changes,” and that PING!!! that could ruin your peace – but at least there was the thrill (and drama) of BBM gist.
Indestructible Phones, Snake & Bounce
Phones used to go to war and back. They were weapons and saving grace when needed. Advancements in technology are great and all, but there is the bittersweet nostalgia of when life was punctuated with batteries falling out, memory cards getting full, and playing Snake or Bounce until they brought light.
Birthday Parties
And then there were the birthday parties, third spaces that were the real Olympics of youth where you danced like your life depended on getting that notebook, pencil, and pack of Goodie Goodie. There was tree pride in earning the win when dancing your entire soul out to Yahooze or Kukere, hoping the adults would shout “Give it to him! He’s trying!”
https://tenor.com/view/pawpaw-aki-aki-dance-gif-21880620
The OG Share-A-Coke Craze
Fast forward a few years, to simpler times before algorithms and aesthetics when Falz dropped “Ello Bae” and Coca-Cola launched its Share-A-Coke campaign. Suddenly, bottles featured names like “Bae”, “Sis” and Nigerian first names that kept everyone hunting down bottles for themselves and loved ones. Giving someone a Coke was a gesture that built connection and community.
In the early days of Instagram and Facebook and posting your Coke bottle was the ultimate “I’ve arrived” flex. Celebrities joined in too — Bovi posted his first, Linda Ikeji got hers, Waje, Denrele and more. It was loose, fun, and great energy.
Meanwhile, the youngest Gen Z was in primary school, enjoying the economy.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPo3q0FjyoT/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
The Comeback
Now, the circle is complete. Share A Coke is back, and this time, it’s Gen Z’s moment. Millennials walked so Gen Z could run – and just like the previous version, it’s not just about names, but identity and shared moments to hold on to.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP4Wvu5Cn0c/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
What started as a groundbreaking campaign has evolved into a cultural time capsule for the next generation with 1000+ pan-Nigerian names, slangs, and squad names like Pookie, Sabi Girl, Idan, Ravers, Terminators, Dey Play, for Nigerians to find and Share A Coke.
When “Back then” becomes a thing for Gen Zs to say, who will you have Shared A Coke With?
