Creativity will make an entertainer fresh all the time —MC BBO

Bakare Boluwatife Oluwatobi, popularly called MC BBO, is a fast-rising comedian. In this interview with Olumuyiwa Soga-Oke, he shares the challenges of being an up-and-coming comedian among other issues. Excerpts:

You are called MC BBO, but most people don’t understand what it means. Could you tell us how you came about it?

BBO was derived from my real names. I am Bakare Boluwatife Oluwatobi. BBO is the combination of the initials of my names. I came about the name when it appeared on a flyer for the very first time. I saw Mc Bolu and I didn’t like it. Then, I had to think of a unique stage name for my career. And, that brought about the name.

Some people believe talent makes you a comedian, some say it is about being spontaneous.  To you, who is a comedian?

Talent makes a comedian truly, and like Alibaba said, one can be trained to be a comedian but if you have the ability to make people laugh with original and not stolen materials or jokes, then, to me, you are a comedian.

Some people see comedy as a tool to douse tension, some see it as a way of correcting social ills. What is comedy to you?

To me, comedy is a tool that can be used to extend life’ span because it is medically proven that you need laughter to live long.  Comedy is also a source of income for me.

What do you have to say about the contents of jokes comedians dish out to the audience?

The case of comedians insulting the audience or cracking X-rated jokes will get to a point where people will no longer find it funny. I have discovered that matured audience wants you as a comedian to come on stage, do a funny plus soft, clean joke and also a joke that everybody can relate with. At least, I know of comedians like Alibaba, Kennyblaq and the likes that do simple and nice jokes. They are still very funny. So content has a major role to play in comedy.

How are you coping with being an up-and-coming comedian?

I get to see and go through a lot of things as someone that is just coming up but it is part of personal development for stardom; getting me prepared for a better tomorrow. Rome was not built in a day. Consistency, originality and prayer are the keys.

What are the challenges of being an up-and-coming comedian?

The only challenge one can have is not to be original. If one can be original, crack real  jokes and be prayerful, the sky will be the starting point. With all these, one will make it to the top. It’s just a matter of time.

How do you intend to keep your game going?

Consistency, originality and prayer are the keys. I believe, with these three things, I’m good to go.

Can you mention some of the stages you have performed on?

I have performed at series of events but the major ones are Kiss Like You Mean It with Alibaba, Stand Up for Jesus, HICC in conjunction with JB SUMMIT OOU Night of Worship, and lots more.

Who are the comedians you have shared the stage with?

Alibaba, Woli Arole, Still Ringing, Asiri and a host of others.

What’s your educational background?

I had my primary education at ECWA nursery and primary school, Ibadan. My secondary school education was at Bevy High School in Ibadan, after which I proceeded to study Statistics at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and by God’s grace I graduated this year.

How did your background influence what you do now?

It has had a great influence in my life because I discovered my talent while I was in high school.  I kept the fire burning in the University where I got most of my platforms to entertain.

What gave you the assurance that comedy is your way?

It’s an inner feeling. My talent has proven it. I have also got a lot of encouragement from many people and a couple of my senior colleagues in the industry.

Given the number of comedians in the industry who are pulling stunts and doing great things, are you not intimidated in any way?

I am not intimidated by anybody. Birds fly freely in the sky without any hitch.

Is comedy your only source of income?

Comedy is not my only source of income. I also write scripts, I act, I write songs and sing as well.

If comedy fails today, will you fall back to statistics?

(Smiles) if comedy fails today, I’ll still be involved in entertainment. At least, I have other things I do alongside comedy as I said earlier. Truly, education is good and I don’t see anything wrong in pursuing it but I believe some people have passion for entertainment and I think I am one of them.

What do you do that keeps you fresh all the time?

Creativity is the only thing that can make an entertainer fresh all the time. But the things I do personally are reading books, rehearsing personally and praying, especially a prayer point Alibaba gave us which is “God help me to see the joke in every situation or incident”.

Has there been any moment when you felt like quitting comedy because of the challenges you faced?

To God be the glory, there has never been a situation where I felt like quitting comedy.

Who are your role models and mentors in the industry?

I feel the best thing an entertainer can do is having his close friend or colleague that is better than him, somebody one can have easy access to, learn more and get better. I have one of my close friends as one of the people I watch and learn from. His name is Remote.  I also learn from Kennyblaq, but when I’m in a state of confusion and I need someone to talk to concerning my career, I talk to one of my senior colleagues, Dr Frick.

What was your dream profession while growing up?

I wanted to be an electrical engineer before I fell in love with entertainment and I have never regretted being an entertainer by God’s grace.