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how you what

A multi-purpose Indianapolis slang phrase meaning “what’s up,” “what are you on,” “what you doing,” or “what’s going on with you?” depending on tone and context.
It’s a conversational check-in that blends curiosity, recognition, and street familiarity.

Origin & History
First publicly popularized in 2013 through the song “How You What” by Freshduzit, which featured 10 local Indianapolis artists, each representing different sides of the city.
The song was intentionally created to:
Promote Indianapolis lingo
Unite multiple neighborhoods on one record
Put Naptown slang on wax the same way other cities do (Atlanta, Detroit, Memphis, etc.)
While the phrase existed in street conversation before, Freshduzit’s record was the first documented, recorded, and distributed use that spread it city-wide.
Aye nasty , how you what?”

“I just touched down, how you what tonight?”

“He been moving different, how you what?”

“Call me when you free, let me know how you what.”
by 99problemsmoneyaint1 January 29, 2026
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