Mc Acapella
How the journey started
Acapella is basically a stand-up comedian and also a radio
personality. I started comedy long time ago, but got my breakthrough in
2008 when I won the famous AY Open Mic Challenge. So professionally, the
journey started like eight years ago. We have been pushing it from one
end to another, and by the grace of God, we are really growing. We have
done all the major comedy shows in Nigeria and of course across the
globe; we are spreading like virus and we are taking it a step at a
time. Acapella right now is the producer and owner of the biggest gospel
comedy show in Africa, it is called Acapella Live in Comedy Goes to
Church. Every A-list comedian in this country has participated in the
show.
What prompted Acapella Live in Comedy goes to Church
In 2004, I went for a performance at a church. I was
already in the middle of my performance when the pastor came and said
‘who brought this comedian to the altar of God?’ And before I knew
anything, I was embarrassed out of the stage. I started crying behind
the stage and told God that ‘if you are the one that gave me this
talent, make it grow, and when it grows, I will bring it back to the
church. In 2005, I got the concept that when I become a brand, my show
will be tagged ‘Comedy goes to church’ because God is the giver of every
talent and it is necessary that we take it back to him.
Giving helping hand to younger comedians
If you follow Acapella Live in Comedy goes to Church brand
very well, you will agree with me that we have a lot of young guys
coming up. I usually balance the show in a way that when we have 10
comedians for instance, four will be established ones, while the
remaining six would be those you don’t know. We try as much as possible
to grow young guys too. We’ve had the likes of Chimara come from that
rank, Damola, Kenny Black, Still Ringing, Handsome the Mimic…these are
guys that came out through the brand, and we believe that as we grow,
other comedians will be discovered. I promote originality, and when I
see young guys, who are really talented, trust me the platform is for
them.
Where would Acapella have been without winning AY Open Mic
I really do not know, it is only God that is in best
position to answer that. Who knows? It could have happened anywhere
else. I really thank God that I won the AY Open Mic competition because
it was a platform that served as a stepping ladder for me. It was the
platform that made me meet all the top players in the entertainment
industry. I can walk into any brand and introduce myself as Acapella.
Sometimes, a lot of people even know my name but don’t know my face. AY
is a man of grace, so I count myself blessed for winning the AY Open
Mic.
If not comedy, what would Acapella be doing
I used to be a singer; that is why they call me Acapella.
I’m sure I would be singing right now. I also like business, so maybe I
would also be a business man. I used to be a music director and
also play the keyboard, so I’m very attentive to music. I like to pay
attention to every little detail of music. I’m a critic, so while I’m
enjoying a song, I listen to the lyrics attentively. So when I see
faults, I decide to share it with fans on stage. My criticisms are
always constructive and comical.
Rating acting, music and comedy in Nigeria
Comedy is like the new bride that is just coming. Movie was
the first bride before music took over as the second bride. Comedy is
the latest bride right now. For now, I will candidly still give it to
music because there is not TV channel dedicated to comedy alone. Movies
have AfricaMagic and music has MTVBase, Soundcity and the rest, but
there is no channel dedicated to comedy. For instance, I have been in
this game for a whole lot of years and suddenly a Korede Bello surfaces
with Godwin and he is right now looking like a bigger brand to me, not
because he is better, but because there are many platforms where people
can see him and appreciate his works. But you will probably not see me
unless you come to a wedding where I’m the MC or when you come to a show
where I’m performing. That has made music to still be ways ahead of us.
Unity among comedians
It is only a comedian that will stage a show and you see
virtually all his/her colleagues in attendance. The only thing is that
we all have who we are comfortable working with. Helen Paul might be
comfortable working with Acapella and not comfortable with Elenu, while
Elenu on his own part may prefer Seyi Law to Acapella, but that doesn’t
mean we are not friends and colleagues. I can still attend their shows,
even when I’m not on the bill. During AY Live for instance, you will see
a lot of comedians who are not on the bill, but they will still attend
to give their support.
On comedians having bad day on stage
It has happened to me severally. Any comedian that tells he
has not had a bad day is definitely inexperienced. It happened to me
severally while I was growing in the industry. But if it happens now,
I’ll quickly switch to my first experience and apply the same trick I
used to escape it. The best thing I will do is end the performance. It
is better for the audience to say he had a short time and great show
than to have a long time and be insignificant.
Joke theft among comedians
I think the problem started from everybody, or let me
simply say the generations before my own. Talking about the likes of Ali
Baba, Okey Bakassi, Basorge Tariah Jnr. Later came the likes of Julius
Agwu and Gbenga Adeyinka 1st before the Basketmouth and I Go
Dye…they should have formed a regulatory body where we can protect our
jokes. If a young comedian cracks my joke, I consider them as babies in
the industry. In the MTN Project Fame competition for instance, the
contestants sing the songs of Tuface, Timi Dakolo and other established
musicians because they are still babies. But once they get to the labour
market, they are expected to compose their own songs. I tell young
comedians that you can’t be coming to the market with existing product
–it has to be something new because that is the only way you can come to
stay.
How to make Nigerians laugh
Comedy is a calling; it is also something you can learn and
then be perfect about it. For me, what I do is to tell you something
that you can relate with. I like to speak about the environment and the
day-to-day life. For instance if talk about ‘how to avoid traffic’,
everybody would be interested because that is a problem we all face in
Lagos.
Source: Naij.com