My first million naira confused me —KennyBlaq

The gist in town now is that Kennyblaq has become expensively unaffordable. How do you react to this?

Really? Now, I must confess that your question cracked me up so much. I was not expecting the first question to come from this direction. Nonetheless, I will do justice to it. I think it is wrong to say that I have become unaffordable.  I think the proper word should be that I am now expensively affordable. The truth that people don’t understand is that I have been very busy these days and people think because they don’t see me around often means that I have become so expensive. But between you and I, you know I am still affordable.

You have played at virtually all the big stages in Nigeria. You don’t even seem to be getting tired. Where do you get the strength from?

It is just God. Nothing else would have given me the strength if not God. Beyond that, I love what I do and I love to do it well. So, I do my job with a great sense of passion and determination to keep getting better. Trust me, I love what I do so much.

You ruled 2018 so much that your name was on every major show within and outside the country. How were you able to handle that moment of your life?

Like I said earlier, it can only be God. Every year, people say last year was one of your biggest and it keeps getting better. All I can say is I am not ready to give up now, it keeps getting better because I am heading to a place no comedian has been. I am raising my game to a level no one has ever achieved before. I think people should keep watching out for something new and different from Kennyblaq.

You are still young but you are already making big moves. Tell us the first thing that came to your mind when you made your first million?

I almost was confused that I didn’t know what to think. I looked at myself after thanking God, and said there is more and the best is yet to come from me.

Obviously, things have changed for you. The story has been rewritten in a good way. What does this tell you about where you were coming from?

I will not lie to you; I am a product of grace. Honestly, I can’t explain how the story changed for me because I remember trekking the streets of Ejigbo in Lagos looking for platform, begging to even get access to venues and all.  But I can testify to the fact that hard work with passion, and knowing that everything that was happening then was a test. I knew the story was going to be rewritten, but didn’t know it was going to be this soon.

So, what do you owe your sudden growth to?

I give everything back to God.

You are at a stage where you don’t have to struggle to make yourself relevant. You have also been able to put your name on the lips of many. What is the motivating factor for you at this time?

I always tell people that I still have a lot of work to do. I am at the point of making the KennyBlaq brand a household name in Africa. Secondly, no matter how big you are, if you want to remain relevant, you have to work hard every time. I still see myself as an upcoming comedian so the hunger for new jokes and always killing it on stage is still here for me.

Looking back at the days when you dreamt of having and attaining where you are today, could you say the sacrifices and hard work have paid off?

It has not been easy, but we bless God for His grace and mercy because everything I do goes online as soon as I post it. I have to always create something fresh for my fans. Being a music-comedian, I have to think as a comedian and also as a musician before blending both.

How hard has it been for you to keep the momentum going and still putting out your best at every event?

So, you see it’s a lot of work, but God is able. I sacrificed a lot for my brand when I started; ill, starved because I needed the money to take bus to the venue, and getting to the venue I’ll trek back. Now, the story is not the same. Today, I roll very well and comfortably with those I looked up to back then. The relationship is like family. Inasmuch as I know I still have a lot of work to do, because the best is yet to come, I can boldly say that I am proud of myself.

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Some people believe that Kenny does not have the capacity to contain the blessings you have experienced in the last few years. Is that true?

I don’t think that is right. I believe that God will not give us what we cannot handle; they should wait and see what God has in store for me this year. The best is yet to come.

Now, talking about creating jokes with music, it may get to a point where people would demand for something new and shift from the norm. How do you intend to sustain this euphoria and even make it better?

Music-comedy is not the norm, but I know at some point it will become the norm. So, what we have been able to do is be relevant with every new song that comes out. For those who attend The Oxymoron of KennyBlaq will know that it shifted from just music-comedy. There was music, comedy, dance, drama and word play. Right now, we are gradually changing the music-comedy industry and making sure that our fans will not be disappointed.

How do you create your jokes and where do you prefer to stay to create something fresh?

I lock myself in my writing room almost every day trying to create something new, and I must say it has not been easy but with a lot of hard work we will do more. I see the kennyBlaq brand breaking new barriers this year.

Last year you took the Oxymoron to the UK, where you had a sold out show. But the feelers we got was that you were not well compensated by the organisers. How do you react to this?

Last year KennyBlaq State of Mind was a show I will not forget in a hurry. Selling out the Indigo O2 was no beans at all and I still haven’t got over it. I don’t know what you heard but I was well paid and I am thinking of doing another one. I will not do anything that will affect my brand in a way I will not be happy. So big shout out to SMADE Entertainment, who made it all happen.

You are planning this year’s Oxymoron of KennyBlaq and we heard it is going to be massive. What should the people expect?

I’ll call it growth. We are getting better every year and we hope to tour the world with the brand. So far, we’ve got positive comments from the audience and they keep asking for more. We will continue to give our best every time. People should expect the very best.  From music to comedy, to the dance, the drama et al.

Those who attended the previous ones can tell that it is always full of surprises. So, expect to be wowed like never before.