How I come up with my skit contents — Isbae U

In this interview by ADEOLA OTEMADE, comedy skit maker, Ridwan Adebayo, popularly known as Isbae U, speaks on how consistency and passion for entertainment have propelled him. Excerpts: 

How did the journey into skit-making start for you?

I started making skits at the end of 2017, November to be precise. I just started acting. That year, it felt like something I could do, so I went into it. I went to see one of my friends, a member of a Yoruba film making circus, owned by my dad and his friends, so I wanted to do something of my own, since I could not afford doing a movie. I decided to make my first skit. When the first skit came out, people really liked it and the feedback I got was quite encouraging. So, I made more comedy skits, I posted them on Instagram. My friends advised me to keep it up, which I did, and so far so good. It’s been an overwhelming experience ever since.

So, would you say passion drove you into doing what you are doing?

Yes, it’s passion. I really love doing what I am doing. I only worked harder to have gotten to where I am today. People are going through a lot presently in Nigeria, and the only way one could lift the soul of many is through comedy, putting out funny, motivational contents out there. Social media platforms have made things easier. Take Instagram for example, you get to post your skits, people get to watch and make comments, funny ones at that, and it goes on and on like that. So, it is all about doing what you do best, touch lives in your own little way, and see all that you do come back to speak for you.

What advice would you give to young minds out there seeking opportunity in an already filled space?

The only thing I would tell them is to be consistent with life; they should be consistent with living, and to also have this at the back of their mind, that passion is like an investment. Many do not see it so, but passion is an investment. The more you keep doing what you love doing, the more you are investing in yourself, because you become better each day, and a day will surely come that your passion will speak for you. When you invest into what you love doing, over times it brings reward beyond your wildest imagination. So, to struggling and upcoming skit-makers, we are all in this together, the sky is wide enough for us to fly, and most importantly know that God and consistency changed my life, and it can change yours too.

How do you come up with contents? 

I won’t say it’s easy to come up with contents two or three times a week or more at times, but people love and appreciate what I do, and this inspires me a lot. Most times, happenings around give me inspiration, imagination at times, like what if this thing was to happen, then I turn into to skit. Feedbacks from people also motivates me and inspires me. Coming up with skit back to back is no child’s play but God and fear of being idle have been my biggest motivations.

Comedy as a form of entertainment is fast becoming a big industry that seems to be taking over the entertainment industry, as we now have influx of people doing skit making. What would you say is responsible for this rebirth?

I can only say the discovery of talent has spurred many into what they are doing now, like I discovered mine, and I was able to channel my strength towards what I do now. To say there has been no influx of many into skit making would be wrong, indeed there has been and the wave is still on, because many are still going to come on board.

And whatever works for you should keep you on your toes to make you become the better version of yourself. And also some people do comedy skit these days because it’s just one minute or two minutes, they feel they can do it, and they feel some certain people are making money from it, why can’t they do it. That’s why you see some people roll in for a while and they roll out again because the motivation behind was money-based.  But for those who do it for passion, they keep up with it with much concentration and hard work, giving it their all.

What were the challenges you faced while starting out as a skit-maker?

Every comedian wants people to see their contents, so one of the challenges I faced was getting more people to watch my stuffs, getting people to acknowledge what I do, times I make skits and I get few likes and views and it was discouraging truth be told, times I just delete some things, getting people to believe in what you do. I didn’t relent as I kept doing more, it was not funny at first, I mean I was sure I have nice contents, e come remain make people get to watch am and see for themselves.

Can you make clarifications about your name, some people call you Ismail Adebayo?

I love that you asked this question. First, please my name is not Ismail Adebayo my name is Adebayo Ridwan Abidemi aka BaeU Barbie, Isbae U or just BaeU. I don’t know why everywhere on google they refer to me as Ismail.

What was growing up like?

Growing up was fun, I spent most of my childhood on the mainland Ebute Meta, Yaba. When I lost my mum, I moved to Lawanson to stay with my aunt to finish my primary school education. Then I moved back to Ebute Meta for my secondary school, but in all, it was fun for me, the moving around and all.

How has moving around affected you personally, not growing up with your parents?

It has both positive and negative sides. If I had lived with my parents, I wouldn’t have made some mistakes, because my parents would have been there to guide me. But at the same time, these mistakes I made, braced me up and taught me lessons I wouldn’t take for granted in a life time. I missed the parental care to some extent, but life happens.

What should your fans expect from you this year?

I would be making my own movie. It is one major plan I have ahead of me, so all my fans watch out for this. And also I look forward to directing other people’s movies, because I feel people have wonderful ideas that they want to put out there. When it comes to skit-making, people think directors are not all that important, they just make it anyhow, and they get poor feedbacks.

If you were to do something differently, what would that be?

If I am to do something differently, maybe I would have started my acting career way sooner because I really wasted time doing other things, but still it was fun while it lasted though.

Who is Ridwan Adebayo when he is not on set?

I am just myself most times, being the funny type, I love being around people. Most times when I am all by myself, I tend to think about my past, and it weighs me down so I try as much as possible to have people around me, I love caring for people, I love playing games and I love watching movies.

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