I’m still a hustler — Owen Gee

In this interview, Owen Osemwengie a.k.a Owen Gee, gives an insight into his trials and triumph as a stand -up comedian

What does Owen GEE mean?

It is actually an acronym. Owen is my real name and the GEE stands for God Exceptionally Elevates.

Are you trying to portray yourself as being deeply religious?

I am an upright person who loves God and loves to serve Him. Everybody might have a special relationship with God but I have a super special relationship. I am nothing without God. I specifically chose that name because as my career went by, I wanted to grow more and I know that the only way I could achieve that will be by His grace.

You were a musician before becoming a comedian…

I started as a rap artiste and I thought I would be one of Nigeria’s greatest musicians. I started as a dancer and went on to form a musical group called Dynamic 5 fashioned after the Jackson 5. The group also comprised of two of my younger brothers – Gino and Sosick -who are also in the entertainment industry today. When I got to the tertiary institution, I formed a rap group called ‘Your Uncle in the Psychiatric Hospital.’ It was one of the most unsuccessful rap groups ever.

Did you influence your brothers in any way?

They saw my decision and decided to go in the same direction. I started the whole rebellious thing by deciding that was what I wanted to do even though we started together as kids. They already had it in their heart but when I took that first step and they saw the acceptance, they decided to go in the same direction. As for my parents, I think they just gave up after me. They knew they just had to give their blessings and support. There haven’t been any regrets.

When did comedy come in?

It was when people saw that I was better at comedy that they advised me to give it a try. That was in 2001 and that’s when I had my first sojourn into stand-up comedy. I studied Mathematics and Statistics at Yaba College of Technology and did other attachment professional courses, did my NYSC, worked in an oil company but I resigned to pursue a career in comedy. I took a risk and went into a profession where I did not know where my next meal was going to come from. For the next 14 months, I did not make a dime and my mother kicked against my going for entertainment. I stuck by it because I knew it was what I was called to do and it really paid off eventually.

Do you still do music?

Music is now my hobby and comedy is my mainstay. I am not just a comedian, I am an all-rounder. It’s just that I am better at being funny.

When did you start making money?

I started making money in 2003 but I had been doing it since 2001. I did a lot of free shows so much that I am the reason they established the word freedom.

When did you get your big break?

People keep asking that question but I am yet to get that break. Saka is 50 and that is when MTN signed him for millions which must be his big break. I am under 40 years and I am still paying rent in somebody’s house. I have only two cars to my name and a small business by the side and you want me to tell you I have had my big break. If I had a big break, I won’t be taking a loan to do my project.

Where does the inspiration for your jokes come from?

There are three ways an artiste performs. There is preparation, spontaneity and ability. I put all of the three together. Every artiste gets stage fright but the first thing I do as a person is that immediately you hand over the microphone to me, I see it as my power. Most times, it is good to be briefed on the type of people you would be performing for.  You cannot prepare for lawyers when you are coming to perform for doctors.

Have people ever refused to laugh at your jokes?

I count gains not losses. I do not get to keep record of what happens once in a blue moon, I record only successes not failures. In life, you must have good times and bad times, the latter makes you stronger.

How original are your jokes?

I don’t know and I won’t know. The reason is I create my jokes but I might not be as outgoing as the other man who is using my jokes; so how do you know who owns it? If I perform to a small crowd of 200 and I don’t get invited to a big show like Rhythm Unplugged; then another comedian is invited to the show of 5000 people and uses my material. They will say he is the original owner of the joke, just because he is in a larger crowd. What do you want me to do in a situation like that? So, the barrier does not matter to me any longer.

Don’t you think even the old order of comedians are no longer creative?

A colonel has no right in the army to accuse a general before a civilian. I have no right to place anybody on the chopping board because we are all in the military.

Entertainers give the impression they are affluent when in actual fact they are not…

It depends on your orientation. I will not claim to be who I am not. I am comfortable, wear what I want to, eat whatever I desire and go where I choose to but that does not make me a big man because the things I really want, I have not gotten them. I am still a hustler. One thing I can beat my chest to tell you is that out of the artistes in this country, only 20 per cent are truly where they want to be, the others are just struggling. You can’t blame them because a video is being shown that you are popping Moet Rose and driving big cars, people begin to have that notion you are that person. When an American artiste is singing about having Bugatti or Rolls Royce, they truly have it, Nigerian musicians are only singing about their dreams!

What are the frustrations attached to what you do?

It is hard to get people to support you when you have dreams. There are a lot of people who are willing to kill your dreams. They know it’s good but they are just not ready to pursue it with you. People don’t like to take risks, even corporate organisations. If you go to them, they keep telling you they will get back to you and within that period, you see that they must have sponsored two golf tournaments. Part of what is keeping Nigeria together is entertainment.

Tell us about your growing up years?

I grew up in Ilupeju and I had a normal life. I was born into an average family; my father was working for a construction company before he started his business, my mum was a sit-at-home wife who said, ‘ Look I can’t sit at home again.’ She actually told my father to resign and join her in the business and today that business is good. I was born into a family of seven.

How did you meet your wife?

I got married about seven years ago and we have two boys. We got married when I was 31. By then, we had dated for about 11 years.  I did not marry her for love because after 10 years in a relationship, you begin to ask yourself what that word love means. I married her because she is a friend I can’t do without.