Encomium
Comedy segment of entertainment industry as come a long way, opening doors of opportunities to serious, hilarious rib crackers. Generations take their turn in building a career, also mentoring new entrants and proteges.
In the chat for the second time with ENCOMIUM WEEKLY’s JOSHUA SHOBIYE, these new generation of comedians open up on their journey so far and where there are headed.
‘I never planned to go into comedy’ – – BABA DE BABA
I am Chidi Uzoma, popularly called Baba De Baba (comedian with the biggest ears). I am a compere and comedian. I am from Ahiazu, Mbaise Local Government in Imo State.
I never planned to go into standup comedy. I wanted to be a comic actor, I tried going for auditions, I passed the auditions, but I was never given a script to act while some ended up duping me. Since the whole idea was to make people laugh and happy, I went into standup comedy in 2004.
Basket Mouth and Alam bloo.
First comedy club” by Gbenga Adeyinka.
Standup Nigeria.
It’s been interesting because God has been faithful.
At the time I started comedy, most of the comedians were from Warri and others were claiming to have come from Warri just to gain favour. If you were not from Warri or you don’t give jokes about Warri, your chances of getting shows would be one out of 100. I insisted not to do a joke on Warri and let the world know I am Igbo. Although I was born in Benin and brought up in Delta State, I didn’t flaunt another man’s land just to gain favour. And I can proudly say that I am the only comedian in Nigeria who has not done a joke about Warri and I am not ready to do it. By the Grace of God, people have now accepted BABA DE BABA and the name has come to stay.
I studied Computer Science and I am also a journalist. So, I will be either a Computer Scientist or a journalist.
I just released my audio comedy CD, Comedy Quake 2 with Baba De Baba, and I am making sure it circulates. I’m also trying to create more content for my youtube channel. You can search for Baba De Baba comedian on youtube to watch my videos.
‘My wife is my number one fan and critic’ – MR. PJ
My names are Perry Joe Okoroalum, also known as Mr. PJ the ‘funtrepreneur’. Born in Lagos, from Ebonyi State. I am married and a Christian by religion. I’m an Event MC, comedian, strategist, a choreographer, business system developer, printing consultant and artist.
I started as a MC for kiddies parties and fanfairs (I still do), but due to reaction from people who always ask me “are you a comedian?” Whenever I finish doing my thing, because I made them laugh, I decided to branch out to comedy. So, I started comedy about three years ago.
First, my inspiration comes from God Almighty, then everyone around me – my family, my friends and especially my wife, who happens to be my number one fan and critic. My environment inspires me too. Professionally, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st really inspired me.
My first show was in my church (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Ogba) during our annual talent hunt show.
It was at an award event I anchored for a Chinese company where I doubled as the comedian. It was big! The “Chinko” guys were laughing at my jokes.
It’s been amazing. With a lot of ups and downs and a lot more to learn and do. In all, we thank the Lord.
One of the major challenges is pricing. People want you to give them the best for very little gratification. This is how we feed our families, so sometimes we have to compromise.
I’ll be doing whatever will bring money. Maybe something in the creative industry because I’m artistic in nature and I love the arts.
In the nearest future, people will know the brand, Mr. PJ The Funtrepreneur, and will touch lives with it. We are working on a lot of concepts for the brand. Watch out.
‘I’m growing steadily’ – SLK
Oluwaponmile Salako (SLK) is a young comedian, compere (MC), actor and writer. I am from Sagamu, Ogun State, born in Lagos. SLK is the second of two boys. I had my primary education at Carol Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja, Lagos. Secondary education at Dansol High School, Ikeja (Lagos).
I started comedy through stage acting at seven, but I was doing it in form of drama. Standup comedy, for me, started 2009, in Covenant University, even though I had been writing jokes since I was in secondary school .
I was inspired not just by one person! Ali Baba played a major role in this though. I used to watch comedians and I will just imagine myself doing stand-up. But I would say it was Emma Oh Ma God that pushed me on stage. Since then, I’ve been inspired by people like Ali Baba, Bovi, Omobaba No1, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, to mention a few.
Really, my first show was in my house in front of my cousins! But my first official show would be Laugh Concert by Emma Oh Ma God on the December 18, 2009. The aftermath of my performance on that stage gave birth to my career as a comedian. Because if I had bombed, I would probably have faced my books!
Like I always say, break is relative. I don’t see success as a destination, but a journey. So, I can’t really call a show a break, because breaks come as you go higher in your career! For instance, there was a time Night of a Thousand Laughs was a break for Basketmouth. Now, he’s done Comedy Central which could also be called a break! However, talking of major platforms I’ve been on, I would say, Stand-up Nigeria, Yaw’s The Street, Gbenga Adeyinka’s Laffmattaaz and co-hosting Omobaba No1’s Unknot Your Tie every Wednesday are a few major platforms I hold dear.
It’s been great, though not easy. Thank God for the passion. If not, I would probably have bowed to the challenges on the way. But I’ve been learning and I still am learning. Like I said, it’s a journey. It has been an amazing journey so far. Steady growth.
I face one major challenge, which is plagiarism. You can call it Joke Theft if you like. It seems normal now for comedians to tell another man’s joke without giving credit to the rightful owner. Someone can say my joke now at a major show and if I say the joke, I look like the thief. It’s really bad. I really wish something could be done about this.
I would probably be a football analyst or a football manager. I love soccer a lot, don’t blame me!
I’m heading to the top, the pinnacle of my career. I am doing it in my own special way. I’m also an actor and writer. I should also have a sitcom running on TV and many more. Just explore the unexplored in entertainment. That’s what SLK is all about.
‘If not for comedy, I would have joined some armed-robbers’ – DAVIDSON
My name is David Eboigbe well known as Davidson. I am from the North Eastern part of Ika Local Government in Delta State. But I reside in Lagos.
I started comedy in 2006, but professionally in 2011. I enjoyed entertaining friends and family and it was just a hobby. Until my brother told me I could do it professionally.
I have always loved watching Gandoki, Ali Baba, Basket mouth, so they all inspired me.
My major break was when I performed at Daystar Christian Church in 2012. It was amazing.
It hasn’t been easy, as the business of comedy is wide and still growing.
If not for comedy, I would have joined some armed-robbers. Because anything that brings pain, worry and depression, I like to steal them. Making people happy has always been my dream.
I just released my comedy CD entitled Laffta for Healthy Living. And there are many more things God is using us to do in the entertainment industry.
‘My challenges are stepping stone to the next level’ – CHIMA RAPH
Chima Raph is a professional event compere, standup comic, actor and general talk service provider.
My humour talent came to the fore in 2011, when I emerged the undisputed champion of Comedy Face-off, a platform designed to discover fresh comedy talents and launch them into the entertainment industry as professionals.
Professional in 2011.
Holy-Mallam and Julius Agwu are those that inspired me.
AY Open Mic.
Stand Up Nigeria by Bunmi Davies.
The experience has been great and interesting.
The challenge so far for me is blessing. What others call challenge is what I use as stepping stone to the next level.
I would have been a broadcaster.
ChimRaph is headed for the very top of entertainment business. Globally.
‘I love having fun while working’ – ELDER O
My names are Ogechukwu David, aka Elder O, the youngest elder of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the only comedian that dresses in corporate/native attire and I call it corporative dressing. I am from Nkpa in Bende LGA of Abia state, the first in a family of six (all boys).
I started comedy in 2006 in my church (Christian Pentecostal Mission, Surulere, Lagos). Back then, it was just the church programmes and all that. Most times I tried to mimic other known comedians just for the fun of it. But an opportunity came for me to take it higher at the end of 2006 at a friend’s wedding when the MC refused to show up, and as guests were getting restless. I summoned courage and asked the DJ to give me the mic, and that was how I compered the wedding for the first time. I was so on point that after the reception, a guy collected my number and told me he’ll like me to be his MC in two week’s at his own wedding. I almost told him I was not a MC, but something in me told me to collect the job and I did. Today, the rest is history.
I get my inspirations from God and my Reverend (Chris Cephas) who, at some point prescribed some books on public speaking for me and I remain grateful till date.
When I started, I did more of wedding until 2008 when I registered for the AY’s Open Mic competition, and my eyes opened the more. Though I didn’t win, the experience really prepared me for the future. But before then I’d taken part in Enter d Lafta with Edo Charles and Laugh and Learn with Aboma and Koffi.
I had my major break in 2010, when I anchored an event at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos where I met Mr. Chijioke, the band leader at Ojez and that was how I met Ojez himself and became their in-house comedian. I met so many important people that helped my career. The biggest break was when I anchored the send forth party of Exxonmobil’s first female director. Honestly, I derive more joy in anchoring events.
It’s been a wonderful experience so far. One important thing is that I love having fun while working. I don’t just entertain, I have fun as well.
We thank God for everything, because challenges are also part of the game. They help to sharpen us. But I really think that we comedians need to have an umbrella body so as to be able to organise and package the industry.
If not comedy I would have been a very successful businessman. I was doing well in my business, though most weekends I’d lock up the shop and go for shows that I was not even collecting money because I was just doing comedy for the fun of it and the passion was my major driving force. I stopped every other business in 2008 and delved fulltime into comedy and since then no regret.
I am heading towards the right direction and I am still working very hard to continue being original and spontaneous, and most definitely making the name E
‘Sometimes I perform in pains’ – REMS
Ogbedada Micheal is my name, born to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ogbedada. I attended Dukes Nursery and Primary School, Ajegunle, Lagos and went to Government College, Ketu, Epe, Lagos State, where I had my secondary school education, to University of Ibadan where I studied Theatre Arts. I remember while in school I mastered the act as a standup comedian, actor, director and dancer.
I started comedy in 2002, but I was just doing it just for fun. I believe when I am around people I must be noticed and I want my presence felt. I can say I am an attention seeker. Professionally, when I was in University of Ibadan, I met a senior colleague of mine who was like the biggest comedian in my department (dept. of Theater Arts).
I will say God.
My first major show was Koffi’s Comedy Night Live.
Lafmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends and Jedi One Man Stand.
It’s been fun all the way. I can’t complain, it’s been so fruitful too. I love my job, not only standup comedy but also hosting events.
A lot of disappointments from friends, colleagues and some funny family members have kept me thus far. Those challenges I can say make me want to prove everyone around me wrong. There are times you get some cheeky words from clients, there are times you don’t want to perform not because you can’t but because you are going through some pain but man must chop.
I will definitely be a Petro-Chemical engineer.
I’m headed to the top where I belong. The sky is wide enough for everyone to shine. I am heading to the place where the brand, REMS will be in every house and the name will be in the lips of everyone, not only in Africa but the world at large.
