Koffi Nuel Idowu is a complete entertainer. He is gifted in all aspect of entertainment: acting (both stage and screen) music, comedy, script writing and production. He opens up on his career and the other side of life in this interview with SAMUEL ONYEKWERE
You said online comedy cannot displace stand up comedy but more people are getting addicted to social media because of comedy skits. Don’t you think comedy skits are gradually taking the shine away from stand up comedy?
Taking away the shine is a term that belittles the depth of comedy that most Nigerians don’t have. Comedy is diverse and beyond skits and standup. Before standup comedy blossomed in Nigeria we celebrated sitcoms like ‘New Masquerade’, ‘Basi and Company’, ‘Samanja’ etc.
The growth of standup comedy did not in anyway disrupt or disturb the growth of comedy in the other areas and people like Osuofia, Mr Ibu, Victor Osuagwu, Charles Inojie etc didn’t stop being screen delights. It is the advent of social media that just provided a vehicle for new content creators to cut down the ideas of full length comedy movies into short sketches and get to the market place faster. This has not in anyway stopped full sitcoms like ‘The Johnsons’, ‘Flatmates’, ‘Jenifa’s Diary’, ‘Papa Ajasco’ etc to continue to thrive .
Neither has it stopped comedy movies from making box office or standup comedians from projecting further. We have had a tremendous rise in the number of standup comedians who now sell out venues across the country as against previous years. It is a collective growth for the comedy arm of the Nigerian entertainment space.
What job are you doing currently, Is it movie. Tell us more about it.
I recently released the music video for the song FLEX which is part of my ‘Area Boy Blues’ album
We are also preparing for the shoot of two movies, ‘An Area Boy [Legend of Muta]’, and ‘Stiletto Chikito’
What is Muludun Night 2.0. What was the show all about?
Muludun Night is a celebration and performance of quality music with a live band in an engaging and fun atmosphere. This allows me and my friends perform to a live audience and interact spontaneously. It also affords me the opportunity to dish out good music fused with comedy with my fans and audience in a very unique way.
Mulund means giving joy to the land.
How did growing up in the ghetto shape your up bringing and your kind of jokes?
Growing up in Maroko and Bariga gave me first hand experiences and ability to speak on the realities of life. My humour is quite deep and intellectual and I can chose to be pedestrian in delivery due to first hand knowledge and interaction with my environments over the years.
What is the greatest lesson life has taught you as a struggling young man then and now a successful entrepreneur?
Life has really been good to me in all fairness because I have always been mentally prepared not to expect and reap from what or where I didn’t sow. I learnt early enough to work hard to earn my worth and respect. I have always thrived to achieve everything by sheer determination and courage to dare the odds.
I would work and save up money to actualise my dreams. I would read and burn the midnight oil on research to deliver quality service to the client at all times. These attributes and principles have helped me thus far and keeps me going. Integrity and a good name is key to surviving in business.
25 years in the entertainment industry, what’s the high point of your career and the low point in your career, if there is any?
I am still looking to God and keep working towards the acme of my career, however I believe in the collection and collation of the little pictures coming together as a big picture. I have never had any low point in my career. God has been good.
30 movies, 32 music albums, two albums and many stage dramas. What next. What are you reinventing?
It is actually 33 Albums, 5 movie soundtrack albums, 2 books, 3 different variety TV shows in English, Yoruba and Togolese Ewe language. Going forward we shall be projecting our new variety music TV show ‘Nostalgia’ and go on tour with it. Besides that, our TV shows ‘Humour Hangouts’, ‘Awada Express’ and ‘Mivado’ will be projected heavily on YouTube along with several new movies. We also intend to start a new sitcom soon amongst several packages to encourage up and coming talents.
Why are your songs and music videos not receiving quality airplay?
This is a question that can best be answered by the music platforms who have decided to project certain kind of songs as against the value we want to continue to bring to the table. Several of the stations we have approached would rather we infuse some obscene acts in the video before they can air it.
As a responsible family brand, there’s no way I can dish out such products. Moreso a lot of the singers from the past hardly put out content so it becomes more difficult for these platforms to make a case of limited quality against the volume and quantity of other options. Also, we had few outlets back in the day to project our songs but nowadays there are several outlets run by young people who would rather project their own generation sound.
Your marriage is 16 years. What is it that has kept the marriage strong all these years?
Respect and caring for each other. No airs. No ego. Just soul mates in Love..
What is that special quality in her that keeps endearing her to you?
Not forgetting who we were and maintaining our simple lifestyle.
You said marriage should not be centred on sex, from your experience what are the ingredients that build a successful marriage?
Team work. Transparency. Sacrifice.
You have been friends with someone like Owen Gee for a long time. What is your definition of true friendship?
Looking out for one another at all times. Honest truths. Forgiveness. Common goals. Desire to see the other person grow.
