| I make fortunes from
‘drunkeness’
By FEMI SALAWU
Friday, November
20, 2009
|
•Igwemba
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
| |
His drunken act easily makes him out among stand-up comedians
in Nigeria. Afamefuna Klint Igwemba popularly known as Klint
da Drunk, may not be a natural drinker but being ‘drunk’
has brought him so much fame and money.
Since debuting on Opa Williams’ Nite Of A Thousands
Laughs in 2001, the Agwu-Ukwu, Nri, Enugu State born artiste
has established himself as one of the most entertaining acts
on the Nigerian stage.
Recently at the premiere of a movie in Lagos, he fielded questions
on how he developed the drunken character, his training as
an Applied and Fine Art graduate of IMT, Enugu and an encounter
with a crazy fan among other issues.
How it all started
I will never quit my stage drunk act. How can I ever stop
a job that is putting food on the table for my family? I have
been in this industry for a long time. In 1993, when I gained
admission into IMT, Enugu, I had already established myself
as a presenter with NTA and ETV. I was involved in TV Drama
but this was not something common among my peers then, for
a secondary school leaver to be able to do something like
that. Everybody then wanted to take up a professional career
as a Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer etc. Since my Secondary school
days, I had always had a flair for entertainment. I also participated
in drama activities aside leading the school band. Generally,
in all these I had that comical approach to things. Even after
graduation, I was supposed to observe my youth corps service
in PortHarcourt but I ended up doing comedy shows around town.
I focused on stage performance, but my parents were not in
support of my career as at then, I was performing just to
get sprayed by people, I was doing all these for survival.
Getting the big break
After performing at Nite of Thousand Laughs 2002 in Port Harcourt,
things changed for me completely. I could remember when my
performance only depended on handouts at events as a student.
Sometimes, I even performed for free and from there I got
called for a programme in 1994 and got paid for N300. At that
time N300 was quite a good amount of money. I was able to
buy second hand T-shirt and a Pair of jean from the money.
In those days comedy was just for survival, it wasn’t
really a money making thing, now that comedy is lucrative,
everybody wants to be part.
Inspiration for drunken act
Actually, there’s a man called Scatter Moje, who used
to be our caretaker in the village. He took different chores
for people such as pounding yam and they would in turn pay
him stipends or give him beer which he cherishes most. After
he’s fully drunk, one would not help laughing because
of his hilarious jibes, even my father who used to be angry
at him couldn’t hold himself from laughing at his jokes.
Gradually, I started picking ideas from him whenever he showed
up. It began with mimicry, I kept on practicing his ‘act’
for fun. So one day I was singing in a show as an invited
guest and Tuface came to IMT Enugu at that time to perform.
I was billed to perform but I ran away when I heard Tuface’s
voice because I was intimidated, I felt defeated for planning
to become a musician. So I thought of another thing to do
other than singing.
That was how I changed career by mimicking the village clown
and later evolved with the concept. From there, I started
receiving invitation for shows and before I knew it, I was
almost everywhere in Enugu and I began to set standards for
myself because I didn’t face any competition. I have
also had opportunity of performing outside Enugu. I performed
at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNN. When I went for a show
in University of Port Harcourt and was shocked because the
people received me with a standing ovation and I was overwhelmed
that I decided to return to UNIPORT where we have lovers of
entertainment. Some people may think that I used to drink
before going on stage but that is a lie, the fact is that
if you do that you are definitely going to mess yourself up.
I get my inspiration from everyday life. Sometimes, inspiration
comes spontaneously. An example is the now popular reggae
song which I did. I never prepared for it and that is a typical
drunkard for you.
Between painting and comedy
Although God always has a way, aside comedy I read Applied
and Fine Art so if am not into comedy I would have been painting
or acting. Or I could have continued with singing because
I am actually blessed. I act and sing as well my album is
coming out very soon.
Campaign against drunkenness
People used to tell me that they like my jokes but not my
act. I tried to find out and they said I drink too much. I
am about to host a show in Abuja on responsible drinking.
This is a campaign that condemns drunkenness. In other words,
my represents how people are not meant to live, so if you
want to stop any body from drinking. I am a perfect example
and the aim is to show people how they would look if they
become drunkards. I am not a drunk but I am a representation,
because drunkness is a feeling that last for a while hence
Klint da Drunk is just a metaphor for drunkness. By the first
quarter of next year the campaign would be fully launched,
I am working with a lot of people. The good thing about my
act is that, if a drunkard walk up to you and abuses you,
you will take it that he is speaking under the influence of
alcohol unlike a natural person.
How I met my wife
I’ve known my wife, Mrs Lilien Klint-Igwemba for a long
time; we knew each for a very long time, I met her in Jos,
although I wasn’t really attracted to her at first.
We were just friends and years later we finally fell in love.
We’ve been married for two years now. I think I’ve
received numerous gift from my wife; through her God blessed
me with a baby boy who would be one on January 10 next year
and I think there is nothing wonderful than that. When I met
her, I thought she was a Hausa girl because I didn’t
want to marry an Igbo girl. But she turned out to be an Igbo
from Anambra State.
Experience with crazy fans
Embarrassing experiences from fans come with the job. For
instance, one day I was in Abuja at an eatery with a friend
who is a retired soldier. As I scooped the first spoon, midway
into my mouth, a guy suddenly slapped me from behind and the
food spilled all over me staining my dress. I was angry as
a human being. But my friend didn’t take it lightly
and he dealt with the guy seriously. I was the person who
had to rescue the intruder at the end of the day. That is
the only way he knew to express himself because after slapping
me, I heard him say in pidgin “shayo bastard, so you
wan chop wey na drink wey you sabi you go drink today”
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