We caught up with the brilliant and insightful KOFFI IDOWU-NUEL a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, KOFFI thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I started off as a stage actor in 1998 in the university of Lagos, Nigeria.
It was never that easy to break out into the mainstream entertainment circle in my country but with perserverance and consistency I found my path to the public.
I got the opportunity to do stand up comedy routines within and outside the school and in 2003 ventured into music and got a hit record and blew in 2004
KOFFI, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My brand name is Koffi Tha Guru, and I am regarded as Africa’s most versatile entertainer with awards in comedy, music and movies.
I have practiced the art of being a seasoned and professional master of ceremony for almost 3 decades, released 34 music albums and made almost 40 movies.
I have been able to impact humorously and brought smiles and value into the lives of people.
I have helped nurture and bring up other young talents like ‘Josh2funny’ of America’s Got Talent fame amongst several others.
My media company Fun Media has been responsible for producing brilliant music act ‘Ashny’
I recently moved to the US to expand and continue the journey on a more global scale.
Since I got to Arlington, Texas I have been able to make new projects like ‘Destination Dallas’ and ‘The Delivery Guy’ and hope to start a new sitcom ‘Pidgin Street’ very soon.
I have had some stand up comedy features in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Maryland.
I look forward to making more ground breaking projects that will connect with my Diaspora community. I am also working on a new music album Mr. KAIN/ SugarKain: Diaspora Diary.
Visit www.koffithaguru.com
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Society can best help artistes by supporting laws that can best protect our craft. There is too much pressure on artistes lately that work so much yet get so little in return. We need laws that will favour and protect creatives.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
It is very rewarding to be able to bring your imagination to life especially for me through standup comedy and the real life experiences being shared in a humorous way. Telling stories through the lens in movies or through your thoughts in music.
It brings a certain level of fulfilment and accomplishment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.koffithaguru.com
- Instagram: @koffithaguru
- Facebook: Koffi Idowu-Nuel
- Linkedin: Koffi Idowu-Nuel
- Twitter: @koffithaguru
- Youtube: Koffi Idowu-Nuel
Image Credits
Koffi Idowu-Nuel