Every Thursday night, laughter seekers from across Lagos find their way to Farm City, Ogudu for their regular dose of comedy, laughter and straight-up good times at LAFUP LOUD, one of the city’s hottest weekly shows.
Lafup Loud is hosted by award-winning comedian, entertainer and entrepreneur ‘Segun Ogundipe AKA LAFUP, who during his time as a Theatre Arts student in University of Ìbàdàn dominated the Ìbàdàn stand-up comedy. I’ve always decried the comedy club culture in Nigeria, so when I first heard that he was hosting a weekly comedy club in Lagos, I strongly doubted it would work. But since attending for the first time, around 2020, I’ve realised how wrong my assumptions were. I’ve rarely missed an edition since, unless I’m out of town.
Ogundipe, a fantastic stage actor, is regularly joined at the comedy club by three of the fast rising comedians around – the quick-witted Phronesis with two comedy specials under his cobelt already, popular MC and funny man Tomiwa Sage fresh off his first special last year, and the hilarious Kaycee. Together, they deliver weekly doses of jokes about daily struggles in Nigeria that almost everyone can relate to.
The show is unscripted, with Lafup, whose comedy style can be described as matured and measured, just welcoming the crowd before each comedian showcases their creativity and ingenuity. The more experienced acts always nail their jokes perfectly while some of the younger guest comedians need more polish. The comedy club audience is so chill, it embraces them nonetheless.
The audience, usually averaging 50 attendees, cut across gender, age and ethnic lines, packing the room with infectious energy. Despite having to work the next day in many cases, nobody is in a hurry to leave.
Two hours fly by in a sea of rib-cracking comedy, impersonations, banter, candid takes on Nigerian culture and politics and music provided by the DJ or sometimes performed live by bands. The jokes hit on rising rents, state of the nation, sports, entertainment, and some struggles familiar to residents of this city that never stops. Patrons leave grinning and buoyant, spirits recharged from the nonstop humour with many already looking ahead to the next week’s show.
The regulars are occasionally joined by a roster consisting of comedy royalty as well as fast-rising stars. Giants like Ali Baba, Julius Agwu and Omo Baba plus talents like Kenny Blaq, Asiri and Dee-One have all headlined the show at different times, each to resounding cheers. 9ice and other musicians have also entertained with cameo appearances.
Over 60 comedians and artists have graced the stage in the last 5 years. The comedy club also showcases Lafup as a natural leader and collaborator with some of the younger comedians he mentors performing from time to time, serving as a platform for them to polish their skills as they look to grab attention within the comedy scene in Lagos and beyond.
As time has gone by, the need for a bigger venue to host the show has become more pronounced. The audience is growing and the space is feeling smaller. Hopefully, finding a bigger space is being worked on by Lafup and his crew.
I give Lafup Loud a solid 4 stars out of 5. Yes, it’s that good as it has proven to be the city’s riotous release and a safe space to unwind through the communal magic of comedy.
‘Șẹgun Ọdẹjimi is a writer, adman, arts aficionado and “retired” film critic.