Anger drove me to comedy
– Owen Gee
By DAMIETE BRAIDE
Friday, April 18, 2008
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Owen
Gee
Pix: Sun News Publishing |
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Fast rising comedian, Osemwengie Owen, a.k.a Owen Gee believes
Nigerian comedians are some of the best in the world hence
his joy being a comedian. Though he studied Mathematics and
Statistics at the Yaba College of Technology, Owen, who hails
from Uhunwonde Local Government area of Edo State says he
takes comedy as a form of therapy, mainly to relieve people
of tension and stress.
A comedian, scriptwriter and singer, Owen Gee is now set to
release his musical album. In a recent chat with Daily
Sun, the musician-comedian spoke about his foray
into music, women in comedy, comedy and the Nigerian society
as well as his journey so far.
Background
I am from Uhunwonde Local Government area of Benin, Edo State.
I attended Community Primary School, Maryland and later Baptist
School, Obanikoro Lagos. I bagged my Higher National Diploma
in Mathematics and Statistics from Yaba College of Technology.
Foray into comedy
In my third year at Yaba, I was involved in the entertainment
industry as an organizer and I was a member of a rap group
called Your uncles from the psychiatric hospital. People told
me I was funny but I did not take it serious as a profession,
but I told them that I would later in life become one of Nigerian
popular musicians.
In 2000, during one of our rap performances, the crowd was
not responding to our songs and I got angry and told the DJ
to stop playing the songs. I challenged the audience on why
they should wait till we die before they recognize that we
were doing a great job. I told them that when I graduate,
I would no longer sing because my album would not sell, owing
to their lukewarm response. I told them that if I were engaged
in any negative activity, they would be the ones to blame
me. And the audience began to laugh because of my jokes and
they were excited.
Later, the organizers wondered why I was wasting my time being
a musician, they urged me to start anchoring events and get
paid for it. I complied and it was really nice and I was motivated
with what I was given. So, I made up my mind to be a comedian
and had a lot of performances before my graduation. Since
then, I have been a professional comedian.
Usage of words
I express my comedy in Queen’s English and as an indigene
of Edo State, I can also express myself in Pidgin. I perform
more at corporate functions, so I have to speak good English
because of the audience. I prefer to say my jokes in Queen’s
English, so that people would see me as someone who is educated.
I don’t want people to see comedians as those who are
not educated when they make use of Pidgin.
Outside comedy
When I discover a talent in people, I help them harness it.
I have an entertainment outfit called Temwangbon Entertainment,
which trains artistes on script writing. I also present programmes
on comedy, I am equally a radio presenter and I have received
the best comedian award on radio. I have also staged plays,
and I have just acted in a film that would be released next
month. Aside writing songs, I am currently working on my debut,
which would be released soon. I have just shot my first video
and I am the Vice President of a record label called MO’BB
Records.
Performances
I have featured in many comedy-based shows such as Nite of
a Thousand Laughs, Rhythm Unplugged, Holy Lafta, Bursting
Loose, Second Term, Krazy Comedy, Ali Baba live, while my
stage performances include Once upon a mad man and Two Black
birds. I just completed my album entitled: Owen Encyclopaedia,
which comprises 11-tracks, which is a combination of contemporary
hip-pop songs. I started out as a musician and I am trying
to return to music. Radio stations around the country are
currently playing my music and my musical video is also on
the way.
Funniest person in my life
I would say that the funniest person in my life is my father,
Dickson. He is talented and I wished he took comedy serious
when he was much more younger. He is about Zebrudayah’s
age. I also see every situation as funny. Anything that happens
to me in Nigeria is fun. When policemen stop me on the road
or when there is power failure, I would simply relate with
such situations and use them as raw materials for my jokes.
Source of inspiration
First, it is God who inspires me. Also, I derive my jokes
from day-to-day experiences in life. I study the environment
and I do not sleep for many hours to enable me put my jokes
together. I also listen to radio, watch television, and listen
to people’s conversations to obtain one or two ideas
that can enrich my jokes.
Piracy
This is just like corruption that may be difficult to stop
in Nigeria. People will continue to pirate other comedians’
jokes. The same goes for pirates of compact discs in the country.
But comedians who do these are the young and upcoming ones.
It is not really the best because pirates deprive owners of
benefit from their work. I would advise that when comedians
listen to other people’s work, they should take it home
and work on it and bring in out in their own version.
Women in Nigerian comedy
It is a good thing for them to be in the industry. I met one
of Nigeria’s popular female comedians at an event. She
was the master of ceremony at the event organized by her church,
while I was invited as a comedian. I was thrilled by her performance
and after our performance; I suggested she should join the
comedy industry on a full time basis. I told her the industry
needs more ladies and that she should pray to God and put
in her best and she promised to give it a trial. Today, the
woman is one of Nigeria’s top female comedians without
any regrets. I would urge more female comedians to come into
the industry and join the likes of Princess, Mandy, Lepacious
Bose among others who are doing well.
Comedy and society
The Nigerian society cannot exist without comedy. Comedy is
a form of therapy which reduces tension in people and it makes
them laugh and happy. People watch comedy for relaxation and
this is also good for their health.
Nigerian comedy and foreign reception
Nigerian comedy is widely accepted all over the world. On
the Internet, I have read responses from people about Nigerian
comedians. Nigerian comedy sector ranks one of the best in
the world and I am proud to be one of the practitioners.
Future plan
I don’t want to stick to comedy alone. I want to go
into other areas too. For example, in America, standup comedians
such as Martin Laurence, Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby etc are
involved in real acting more than playing comic roles and
they earn more money than they do in comedy. I want to feature
in movies as well as become a music producer. I want to produce
more musical albums and discover new artistes. I also intend
to introduce a sit-com comedy.
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