Born Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, iconic comedian Ali Baba is one of the pioneers of stand-up comedy in Nigeria. With loads of awards and other accolades, Ali Baba has grown to become a mentor to several individuals in the business who all draw inspiration from him.
In this interview with ERAVE, Ali Baba bears his mind on several issues including how his wife once thought he was a fraudster due to the kind of money he was making in comedy at a point.
Being one of the first Nigerians to venture into stand-up comedy, how easy was it to sell comedy to Nigerians considering the love for stage play and cinemas when you started?
Billboards blew my career. I had 2 billboards with one positioned at Government House, Marina and the other around Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos. I paid to have the billboard there for 2 years and I ensured the message they carry was very simple.
How easy was it for you to break even when you ventured into comedy business?
The first thing I noticed at that time was that those who can pay my fee were those who earn more money. During those years, some workers earn around N300, N200 or N150 in a month while some others earn well above that in the range of N1,000 or more. At that time, I decided those earning around N300 and N200 would find it difficult to pay my bills if I charge them N100 or more. I practically targeted those earning around N1, 000 using my creative nature to drive my ambition which worked well in the end.
You were one of the top Nigerians to make good money from entertainment. How did you make your first millions?
I made N1.6 million in 1994 from Satzenbrau as an ambassador. The company wanted to do a tour of Nigeria and needed someone who can relate with bike riders, danfo drivers, and every being across different categories of life. I performed at beer parlours for them across different states. I was making lots of money that the press didn’t know of and I was pleased it happened that way. It was easy for the press to think at that time that I was living off somebody. I was not also willing to reveal details to the public until I attended a friend’s lecture and he declared me a millionaire in public glare. At that time, I bought 2 piece of land in Lekki and money wasn’t the problem but how to spend it. My kind of business doesn’t have an overhead cost because it was just me and the microphone. I am not in the industry where I would need a bouncer, manager, dancer and some other people I would buy tickets for to go to an event.
What was your family’s reaction when you made your first millions?
My wife first thought I was a 419 when she realized the amount of money I was making. She didn’t believe me until I invited her for a show where I was paid to do stand-up comedy. Some of the shows might be hosted by Patrick Doyle or Yinka Craig while I was only doing stand-up. I learnt the ropes of being an MC at that time. But guess what, I was making more money than the MCs. It was until when she came around to see me perform on stage cracking jokes for a number of guests that she realized how much I could make doing comedy.
Putting the amount of money made doing comedy into context, how have you remained modest even after making lots of money?
I was only a Tee shirt and jean person before the younger generation of comedians came into the business and started living large. It was the emergence of comedians like Teju Baby face, Julius Agwu, Basketmouth and several others that changed some things about my view of the business.
What is your take on the lifestyle of Nigerian comedians and Nollywood actors?
Nigerian comedians make a lot of money than actors. You wouldn’t believe but let me tell you. You shoot a movie, it takes 4 months for the movie to be released and they get paid. There is hardly an actor that charges N1 million or N2 million per movie unless you are in the top end of the hierarchy such as RMD, Genevieve, and Omotola. But then, there are comedians that charges N800,000 or N1 million per event. In four months, such comedian would have done maybe 30 events but because he doesn’t do a movie that is on cable TV that can be seen in Kenya, South Africa, and all across the country, people do not think he is making that kind of money. There are quite a number of Nigerian comedians whose wives do not have a job but they still live large. A popular comedian would have performed at 6 to 8 different shows in a month before a Nollywood actor wraps up shoot on set of a movie.
How would you address the cliché ‘paying dues’ in the industry?
You would have to learn through the ranks before attaining a particular stage in every sphere of life. Some artistes are still hustling while some others who have the raw talents would venture into the same creative business with them and probably make a name before them. Before talking about paying dues, you must have a career or talent that makes way for you. You don’t just pay dues but you have to understand what you are paying your dues for.
If you weren’t doing stand-up comedy, what profession would you have been involved in?
I would either have been a writer, an advertising practitioner or race car driver. I may be a broadcaster. But one thing I’m very sure of is that I would have been in the arts or entertainment field.
Comparing the past and the present, what are the things that have changed about stand-up comedy in Nigeria?
Well, one is that the comedians are more daring. They are more busy and earn more now. The appreciation level of comedy has also grown. Now, they have a base to build on, unlike when we started and were trying to chart the path. Comedians are more respected now than when I started. Back then, we were fighting for survival and recognition.
You have three grown up daughters and a set of twin boys. How much has being a proud and doting father changed your perspective to life and your profession and how have you been able to balance both sides?
I think my boys are the ones that I have not shown so much love. For my daughters, I’ve spoilt them rotten. And I can see my sons growing out to say that, my father did not love us like he loved our sisters. I want to make the girls know that it is possible to show them love, to expect love, you know. They need to be cared for and loved. I’m teaching my boys how to get along because they are going to work hard. They should know that not all things come for free. So, that is the education I am giving them. The girls are very good. They are beautiful and make me very proud of them. The boys challenge me a lot because every time I see myself in them and I’m like, you have to be better than this.
You will be remembered as a trailblazer who made a success out of stand-up comedy in Nigeria. In your own words, what would you want to be remembered for?
I’d like to be remembered as a catalyst for change and development in entertainment. To be remembered as someone who came and did his best; for the jokes I created. You hear a lot of jokes now, with people re-telling them; whether it’s Akpos’ jokes or some other ones and even now on CDs. And people are like; oh these are the kind of jokes that show you are a comedian. And I say, that is my joke. I want people to sit back later, look through my career and say, ‘so all this stuff that we’ve been enjoying came from this man?’. I would like to be remembered as somebody who created happiness from which a lot of people succeeded in creating happiness for others.
0 comments :
Post a Comment