Its very obvious that most comedians now delve into Music as they see they are also selling in the comedy market, in the likes of Akpororo, Maleke, Julius Agwu, Okey Bakassi, Klint d Drunk, Yanbaba, Kelvinsapp, etc always add music during their performances while on stage.
But popular Nigerian Comedian and Colossus Gists BRAND Ambassador Kelvin Sapp has recently uncovered that he can still do stand up comedy without adding music as he bares it all on this interview with "D OLOKPA SHOW". The music-Comedy artist with an album at hand spoke about his career, brand, upcoming project amongst others.
Now for the benefit for those that don't know much about you, can you tell us about yourself?
Kelvinsapp: My names are Eseavworho oghenero kelvin aka kelvinsapp. Am from Delta State, a comedian and a gospel music artist, presently a final year student of Delta state university Abraka precisely history and international relations. Am the eldest son of my family.
So how was growing up like for you as the eldest?
Kelvinsapp: Growing up for me was a rigorous task because as the eldest son I needed to set a standard and act as a role model for my younger ones to follow,most especially academically. In all by God's grace am building a legacy that they are proud of and even my family too. So growing up demanded I live a disciplinary antecedents for my younger ones. Which I am still doing everyday.
At what point did you go into comedy? How did the journey start for you?
Kelvinsapp: I got into comedy during my my diploma program at the Delta state university (Oleh Campus) although I was just a funny guy at first until a friend of mine by name princewill who happens to be a wonderful spontaneous comedian till now told me I could be a standup comedian. So I started in school,hosting the student union event and some other church concerts and that's how it all began.
People know you as that guy that does music comedy. Did you begin by singing and later decided to add comedy to it? Or how did that style came about?
Kelvinsapp: I started with music. By the age of 9, I was already the junior choir master,it was over time I started developing the flare to actually do music comedy,so what I did was to write out my own comedy songs the way I want then. Although I flipped some songs and turned them upside down but I did change the flavor of the song.
And when you started performing officially in school, how was the response from the students?
Kelvinsapp: I started in school 2013 and at first the encouragement from the students was wow because they really loved me maybe because I was very friendly plus I stayed in the school's boys hostel,so I had this formal relationship with most of them and that aided me spontaneously.
Looking back at your career from where you started till how, how would you describe the journey so far?
Kelvinsapp: The journey so far I must confess has been and will always be God's grace. There are sometimes I get really discouraged because performing comedy and doing real music are two different concept but indeed God's grace has helped so much in mastering the enterprise and developing the talent.
A lot of persons have argued that if you remove the music aspect from your comedy, there will be no kelvinsapp, do you share their thought?
Kelvinsapp: Hahaahahahaha (Laughs), I totally disagree and that's because when it comes to standup comedy without me having to sing,trust me I have a lot to offer and some of my close friends will attest to it. I have been in event where the client asked me not to sing any comedy song,that he wanted to see my spontaneity and trust me by God's grace I wowed him. Kelvinsapp can crack jokes without having to sing. Although the singing is what makes the performances unique than other comedians.
How has it been for you combining school and comedy?
Kelvinsapp: Comedy and school is like giving a child a bone with thick flesh attached to it, the child is tired of bone but wants to continue because of the flesh on it. I Can't count classes I missed sometimes and some few test too. It's not easy at all but what has kept me going is myself discipline and how I choose to work with the time at my disposal. At the end I just tell my self I can make it work and that guts has kept me going
Has it in anyway affect your growth in the industry?
Kelvinsapp: On some occasions it has but I don't regret it anyway. I believe it's all for the better good.
You been coming and going to Lagos. Some feel to make it big in the industry, you need to station in Lagos, are you planning making that switch after school?
Kelvinsapp: I don't believe in that notion that many artist bore in their mind for their respective careers. The truth is God does not need a map to locate you, once your time is set you don't force things to work,they work for your sake. I don't undermine the fact that Lagos is the center of all entertainment endeavors in Nigeria but that not withstanding growing your personal self still matters a lot. You can achieve what you want where you are,it's all about your mindset.
I have shuttled Lagos and back over a few times and I made tremendous growth in my personal career but what has helped me is that fact that I worked on myself here in Delta state where I grew up and when I entered Lagos I came as an already made material and anybody that want to support me would gladly do so. This is because I have worked on my self. Warri language will say; who wan blow go blow so no reason am at all. Even the bible tells us that time and chance happens to us all for it is not by our will. So no need to force things.
What's that thing that stages you out from your equals? That special thing about Kelvinsapp brand.
Kelvinsapp: The most unique thing about the brand kelvinsapp is the God factor in it. The next is the voice and the grace backing it. Note; in my introduction I forgot to mention, that I am one of the registered partner to the power house entertainment company where, Mr Ajiri Afimoni stands as the CEO. Onosakponome Cyril Komeno a.k.a Youngchief is also a partner ,together we hold the core the company and upload it's integrity
You have climbed big stand, performed in numerous cities around the country, the fan base is increasing, just like your partner, Youngchief, should we be expecting a Kelvinsapp concert soon?
Kelvinsapp: Yea it will surely come forth. That's the peak of every career,the ability to give back to the fans. But for now we just concentrating on the scheduled album tour. As event unfolds we will unleash information on where and when this concert will happen.
You are one artist that still does gospel music. Can you shed light on that?
Kelvinsapp: Yea thats correct. The truth is, performing gospel songs in our environment in Nigeria calls for lot of patience and persistent efforts. It's easy for Nigerians to absolve a circular song and forgo it after some specific time but gospel songs are evergreen and this is because the process of making the listeners accepting the content is tedious but the moment they accept it,an artist stay all of his life eating the benefits of that one song. I have my own album which is still very new for grab and the sound is entirely different from the regular gospel beats.
How many tracks and what inspired the album?
Kelvinsapp: The album comprises of 9 tracks and it was a 2years recording process. Sometimes I and my producer Ebiscoondabeat, would record and delete and re record again. What has inspired me in all this, is God and my faith. I never stop believing in the actuality of the best.
Any special plan for the album?
Kelvinsapp: For now we working on how to circulate the album and so far there is a forgoing plan for an arranged tour and this tour is open to other churches who are interested in having kelvinsapp and his crew at their respective denominations anywhere in Nigeria. The major aim is to spread the content within our individual strength and allow the marketers do the rest in regards to nation wide spreading.
Coming back to you. Being an handsome talented artist, how do you relate with your female fans that flock around you?
Kelvinsapp: Female folks will always be there and I am fully aware of that fact and God helping me I have been able to manage them as time passes.
Is there any Mrs Sapp TO Be currently? Cos all artist claim to be single.
Kelvinsapp: That's my private life and I would love it to be private so help me God
Where should we be expecting to see your brand in few years to come?
Kelvinsapp: Expect to see my brand where God is taking it because I am too confident he is not taking me to crash.
Last word for your fans.?
Kelvinsapp: My fans are my strength and I respect them, on this note I wish to let them know that more is yet to be seen and heard from kelvinsapp whom they have continually supported
Any special appreciation?
Kelvinsapp: Special appreciation to the CEO Powerhouseent, also to my friend and brother younchief,my producer ebiscoondabeat, my crew (boldknights) and to everyone who has not stopped believing in my career and my rising, words are not enough to say thank you, I can't mention all name but to my spirtual father in the lord,mothers and guidance in faith,I say thank you, Mr Peter Enas,Mr Richard gbajimi, Mr voke, crownfm 89.9 , kpokofm 100.5 thanks to everyone.
Thanks for your time.
Kelvinsapp: You welcome sir.
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