Mr Macaroni Explained

Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo
Birth Date:3 May 1993
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Alias:Mr Macaroni
Nationality:Nigerian
Alma Mater:Redeemer's University Nigeria
Occupation:Actor, Content Producer
Years Active:2012–present

Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo (born 3 May 1993),[1] popularly known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, and activist.[2] [3] [4] [5] He is known for his online comedy skits and roles in films such as Ponzi (2021), Ayinla (2021), Aníkúlápó (2022), Freedom Way (2024), and Lisabi : The Uprising (2024).[6] [7]

Adedayo first gained popularity in 2019 from his satirical skits on social media, playing characters such as the philandering political figure "Daddy Wa" and a strict lecturer, "Professor Hard Life".[8] He popularized catchphrases like "Ooin", "Freaky freaky" and "You are doing well".[9]

He is an advocate for civic empowerment, and most notably was involved in the 2020

  1. EndSARS
movement in Nigeria, when he himself was a victim of police brutality.[10] [11]

Since then, Adedayo has increasingly used his platform to champion social causes and frequently combines humor with civic education in his skits.[12] [13] [14] In 2022 and 2023 he won the Trendupp Awards' Force of Influence award given to the "influencer or content creator who commanded the highest influence in the Nigerian social media space".[15]

Early life

An indigene of Ogun State, Adebowale Babatunde Adedayo was born in Ogudu, Lagos into an Upper middle class, Islamic and Christian family on May 3, 1993. He grew up in Magodo area of Lagos where he attended Tendercare International Nursery. He went to Primary school in Ojota, Ogudu[16] and then attended Babcock University High School. In 2009, he gained admission to Lead City University, where he studied law but was forced to leave by his second year due to the university's accreditation issue.[17]

By 2011, Adedayo was a law student at Houdegbe North American University Cotonou in the Republic of Benin but was forced to leave before earning his degrees.[18] [19]

Upon leaving Cotonou, Adedayo decided to discontinue his education and pursue a career in acting. After being featured in a few film and television roles his parents convinced him to resume his education. He went on to study Theatre Arts at Afe Babalola University before switching to Redeemer's University Nigeria in 2013 where he earned a degree in Theatre Arts and Film Studies in 2018.[20]

Career

Adedayo started as an actor[21] in Nollywood before creating comedy videos.[22] [23] In an interview with Punch Nigeria, he said that he had been an actor for a long time by doing movies and soap operas. He said movie roles were no longer coming at some point and it took a while before he decided to start online comedy.

Debo's comedy addresses events and real issues in Africa.[24] He always plays the role of a sugar daddy. In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, he said he chose the role of a sugar daddy because it represents a good percentage of naughty men who cannot control themselves.[25]

His satirical skits highlight social and political issues like bad governance, civic responsibility, and human rights. He typically plays the role of a Sugar daddy politician known as "Daddy Wa" or a strict lecturer known as "Professor Hardlife".[26]

Debo, in an interview with Punch Nigeria, said he knew he had a flair for comedy when he would mimic Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and everyone would laugh.[27]

His skits typically feature veterans of Nollywood and the Nigerian entertainment industry, like Jim Iyke, Bimbo Ademoye, Lateef Adedimeji, Sola Sobowale, Falz and Mr. P. He has also featured fellow skit makers like Oga Sabinus (Mr. Funny), KieKie, Remote, and Broda Shaggi. He has also featured Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.[28]

Filmography

Movies

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2020DoubtOtunbaDirected by Ubong Bassey Nya
2021PonziUchennaPonzi is a 2021 Nigerian comedy movie that was based on the 2016 MMM Ponzi scheme.[29] [30]
AyinlaBayowaAyinla is a musical film based on the life of Ayinla Yusuf, popularly known as Ayinla Omowura, an Apala musician who was stabbed to death by his manager Bayewu in a bar fight on 6 May 1980 at Abeokuta.[31] [32]
2022SurvivorsSurvivors is a story about two roadside technicians battling for financial success. They ultimately ran upon a criminal named David, who taught them the ropes of kidnapping.
AníkúlápóAkanjiAníkúlápó narrates the tale of Saro, a man who was looking for a greener pasture. However, due to the course of events and his relationship with the king's wife, he met his untimely death and an enigma known as Akala, a mystical bird thought to grant and revoke life.[33]
King of Thieves: Agesinkole
BrotherhoodAduraAction / Crime
2023Gangs of LagosWemimoCrime / ThrillerDirected by Jadesola Osiberu
Jagun JagunMoyaleDrama / HistoryDirected by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani
2024The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of LagosAbisoroCrime / Drama / Mystery / Thriller
Lisabi: The UprisingOsokenuDrama / History

TV series

Title Role References
OkirikaAlaga [34]
Ile AlayoSweet Daddy [35]
FlatmatesAK 47 [36]
The JohnsonsCasper [37]

EndSARS

Adedayo has been active in the End SARS movement.[38] [39]

On Saturday, 13 February 2021, police arrested him at Lekki Toll Gate during the #OccupyLekkiTollgate protest.[40]

After staging a sleep-in at the state house in Alausa, with Rinu Oduala and a group of protestors on the 8th of October 2020, Adedayo continued to lend his platform to the protests and became one of the key faces of the #EndSARS movement.[41] [42] In February 2021, upon learning that the government intended to resume tolling at the toll gate, protests resumed once again under the #OccupyLekkiTollGate movement. Adedayo and numerous other protestors were arrested and savagely brutalized by the Nigerian police till public outcry forced their release.[43] [44] He was subsequently picked up among 49 other protesters and arrested for defying the Lagos State directive against the protest. The protesters have since been granted N100,000 bail each and arraigned on charges bordering on flouting the COVID-19 protocol on public gatherings and ‘breaking an order not to protest’. In October 2021, on the 1-year anniversary of the Lekki massacre, key #EndSARS figures, including Debo, Folarin “Falz” Falana, and others, led a successful drive-by event at the toll gate in memory of the massacre victims.[45] [46] In November 2021, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu invited key #EndSARS figures and stakeholders to participate in a peace walk. His offer was vehemently rejected by Adedayo, who instead urged the government to implement the findings of the panel that investigated the Lekki massacre.[47]

Awards and nominations

!Year!Award!Category!Result!Reference
2018Best of Nollywood AwardsRevelation of the Year – male[48]
2020The Future Awards AfricaContent Creation[49] [50]
City People Music AwardComedy Act of the Year[51]
2021Net HonoursMost Popular Comedian[52]
2022Africa Magic Viewers' Choice AwardsBest Online Social Content Creator[53] [54]
2021Gage AwardsOnline Comedian of the Year[55]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Mr Macaroni, from Nigerian comedian to EndSARS activist. BBC News Pidgin. 2 March 2021.
  2. Web site: Adebowale Adedayo . 2022-09-27 . IMDb.
  3. Web site: 9 October 2020. Mr Macaroni, others in marathon #EndSARSProtest in Lagos. 2 March 2021. Vanguard News. en-US.
  4. Web site: 29 January 2021. Broda Shaggi, Mr. Macaroni others top the list of digital content creators. Premium Times. 2 March 2021. en-GB.
  5. Web site: Gatefield . 2022-05-03 . Gatefield's People Journalism Prize for Africa 2021 Winners . 2024-10-05 . Gatefield . en-US.
  6. Web site: Elfadl . Murtada . 2024-09-17 . ‘Freedom Way’ Review: From Nigeria, a Kinetic Thriller Juggles Many Intertwining Narratives . 2024-10-05 . Variety . en-US.
  7. Web site: Cletus . Confidence . 2024-09-28 . MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Lisabi the Uprising’ is Nollywood’s best epic yet . 2024-10-05 . Premium Times Nigeria . en.
  8. Web site: BellaNaija.com . 2024-06-11 . Mr Macaroni Speaks on The Character "Daddy Wa" & Finding Success in Entertainment With Teju Babyface . 2024-10-05 . BellaNaija . en-US.
  9. Web site: MrMacaroni (@mrmacaroni1) • Instagram photos and videos . 2022-09-27 . www.instagram.com . en.
  10. Web site: Egbas . Jude . 2020-10-09 . Mr Macaroni, #EndSARS protesters, spend cold night at Lagos House of Assembly . 2024-10-05 . Pulse Nigeria . en.
  11. Web site: biodunbusari@vanguardngr.com . 2023-10-20 . [Photos] #EndSARS: Mr Macaroni, others stage walk at 3rd Anniversary of Lekki Tollgate shootings ]. 2024-10-05 . Vanguard News . en-GB.
  12. Web site: Okogba . Emmanuel . 2021-02-14 . #OccupyLekkiTollgate: They beat, threatened to kill us - Mr Macaroni tells experience with police [video] ]. 2024-10-05 . Vanguard News . en-GB.
  13. Web site: Odutuyo . Adeyinka . 2022-04-30 . I use my 'freaky freaky' character and art to drive social change: Mr Macaroni . 2024-10-05 . Legit.ng - Nigeria news. . en.
  14. Web site: THE TOYIN FALOLA INTERVIEWS: A CONVERSATION WITH DEBO ADEDAYO, PART3 . 2024-10-09 . groups.google.com.
  15. Web site: 2023-07-11 . Trendupp Awards: Mr Macaroni Emerges Force Of Influence Winner, Goes Home With Brand New Car - Brand Communicator . 2024-10-05 . en-US.
  16. Web site: Abdullahi . Idowu . 2022-03-24 . I studied at four universities before graduating - Mr Macaroni . 2023-06-12 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  17. Web site: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/519360-why-i-attended-four-universities-mr-macaroni.html?tztc=1 . 2024-10-05 . www.premiumtimesng.com.
  18. News: Idowu . Abdullah . 24 March 2022 . studied at four universities before graduating – Mr Macaroni . The Punch Newspaper . 28 December 2023.
  19. News: Ademola . Olonilua . 24 Mar 2022 . Why I Attended Four Universities Before Graduating — Mr Macaroni . The Daily Trust . 28 December 2023.
  20. Web site: After Struggling for 10years, Actor, Debo Adedayo Graduates with Upper Credit. 2 March 2021. Modern Ghana. en.
  21. Web site: 30 January 2021. Mr Macaroni: I'm single, but not searching. The Nation Nigeria. 2 March 2021. en-US.
  22. Web site: 26 December 2020. Mr. Macaroni walks through narrow tubes. The Nation Nigeria. 2 March 2021. en-US.
  23. Web site: Naughty requests from ladies are appreciation of my works –Mr. Macaroni. 2 March 2021. Punch Newspapers. 10 January 2020. en-US.
  24. Web site: 13 July 2021. How Mr. Macaroni Is changing the face of the comedy industry and pushing other talents along By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu. 30 July 2021. Qwenu!. en-GB. 30 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210730115452/https://qwenu.com/2021/07/13/how-mr-macaroni-is-changing-the-face-of-comedy-industry-and-pushing-other-talents-along-by-adetayo-omotoyosi-adeolu/. dead.
  25. News: Adeoye. Faith. 1 February 2020. I always find it hard to see myself as a comedian —Adedayo, Mr. Macaroni. Nigerian Tribune. 2 March 2021.
  26. Web site: Omorogbe . Paul . (OPINION) Debo Adedayo: Mr Macaroni and socio-political activism . Tribune Online . 2022-06-05 . 2022-07-28.
  27. News: 11 January 2020. Naughty requests from ladies are appreciation of my works –Mr. Macaroni. Punch Nigeria.
  28. Web site: Ogunsemore . John . Mr Macaroni features Tony Umez in sizzling new comedy skit (Video) . 2020-10-04 . 2022-07-28.
  29. Web site: 9 March 2021. Kayode Kasum: People's experience with MMM inspired 'Ponzi'. 3 April 2021. TheCable Lifestyle. en-US.
  30. Web site: Tv. Bn. 1 March 2021. Meet the Star-Studded Cast of Kayode Kasum's Comedy Film "Ponzi" + Watch the Trailer. 3 April 2021. BellaNaija. en-US.
  31. Web site: 11 July 2021. Shades of a Tragic Hero. 14 July 2021. THISDAYLIVE. en-US.
  32. Web site: 11 December 2020. Tunde Kelani commences movie on late Apala legend, Ayinla Omowura. 14 July 2021. en-GB.
  33. Web site: 2022-08-15 . TRAILER: Kunle Remi, Sola Sobowale, Mr Macaroni star in 'Anikulapo' . 2022-10-02 . TheCable Lifestyle . en-US.
  34. Web site: Online . Tribune . 'Okirika' revamped as Nollywood stars, StarTimes collaborate on new comedy series . Tribune Online . 2021-09-23 . 2022-07-28.
  35. Web site: Mr Macaroni, Broda Shaggi to star in "Ile Alayo" showing on StarTimes . Vanguard News . 2021-07-13 . 2022-07-28.
  36. Web site: My Flatmates – Mr macaroni on this one as AK47 . Abidon TV . 2021-10-16 . 2022-07-28 . 12 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221212204024/https://www.abidontv.com/my-flatmates-mr-macaroni-on-this-one-as-ak47/ . dead .
  37. Web site: Mr Macaroni debuts on The Johnsons on Africa Magic . News Express Nigeria Website . 2021-05-16 . 2022-07-28.
  38. Web site: 14 February 2021.
    1. OccupyLekkiTollgate: They beat, threatened to kill us – Mr Macaroni tells experience with police
    . 2 March 2021. Vanguard News. en-US.
  39. Web site: 22 February 2021. WATCH: Mr Macaroni hails #OccupyLekki protesters in 'One Coward, 39 Heroes' skit. 2 March 2021. TheCable Lifestyle. en-US.
  40. Web site: Mr Macaroni arrested by Police at #OccupyLekkitollgate protest. 2 March 2021. guardian.ng. 13 February 2021.
  41. Web site: Online . Tribune . #ENDSARS: How Nigerian celebrities, social media influencers backed protests . Tribune Online . 2020-10-17 . 2022-07-28.
  42. Web site: Egbas . Jude . Mr Macaroni, #EndSARS protesters, spend the cold night at Lagos House of Assembly . Pulse Nigeria . 2020-10-09 . 2022-07-28.
  43. Web site: Olasupo . Abisola . Mr Macaroni arrested by Police at #OccupyLekkitollgate protest - Nigeria and World News . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 2021-02-13 . 2022-07-28.
  44. Web site: Augoye . Jayne . #OccupyLekkitollgate: How policemen took turns to beat me - Mr Macaroni . Premium Times Nigeria . 2021-04-18 . 2022-07-28.
  45. Web site: Adediran . Ifeoluwa . #EndSARS Memorial: Police disperse protesters at Lekki tollgate . Premium Times Nigeria . 2021-10-20 . 2022-07-28.
  46. Web site: The EndSARS memorial paid due respect to a Nigerian tragedy - Quartz Africa . Quartz . 2021-10-20 . 2022-07-28.
  47. Web site: EndSARS: Mr Macaroni, Falz reject Sanwo-Olu's invite for peace walk . Punch Newspapers . 2021-11-30 . 2022-07-28.
  48. Web site: Augoye. Jayne. 10 December 2018. BON Awards 2018: Tope Oshin, Tana Adelana win big. 9 October 2021. en-GB.
  49. Web site: 28 November 2020. Drum rolls! Introducing the Winners of The Future Awards Africa #TFAA2020. 2 March 2021. BellaNaija. en-US.
  50. Web site: 28 November 2020. FULL LIST: Mr. Macaroni, Rema, Sam Adeyemi win big at TFAA 2020. 2 March 2021. TheCable Lifestyle. en-US.
  51. Web site: 7 December 2020. Winners Emerge At 2020 City People Music Awards [Full List]]. 2 March 2021. City People Magazine. en-US.
  52. Web site: Net Honours – The Class of 2021. 7 September 2021. Nigerian Entertainment Today. en-US.
  53. News: 2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list . BBC News Pidgin . 2022-03-26.
  54. News: Stan Nze, Osas Ighodaro win big - Full list of all di winners from 2022 AMVCA . BBC News Pidgin . 2022-05-15.
  55. Web site: 2021-02-22 . Mr Macaroni, Nengi, Erica, Aisha Yesufu, Airopay make Gage awards 2021 nomination . 2022-10-27 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.

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