Kenny Blaq Explained

Kenny Blaq
Birth Name:Otolorin Kehinde Peter
Birth Date:September 30, 1992
Years Active:2008–present
Education:Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Training School, Ikeja, Lagos

Otolorin Kehinde Peter, performing as Kenny Blaq, is a Nigerian stand-up comedian and singer.[1] [2] [3] He performed at the 2nd edition of Unlock Naija Independence celebration[4] [5] and Africa Magic Owambe Finale[6]

Early life

kenny Blaq had both primary and secondary education in Ejigbo Lagos, he had to leave SS3 for a tutorial where he had his WASSCE exam when his parents couldn't afford the school fee.[7]

He trained as a compere and presenter at the FRCN training school in Lagos after having had a stint with SMA FM, a college community-based radio station.[8] [9]

Career

Blaq started his comedy career in 2008,[10] and has performed at top comedy events within and outside Nigeria like I laff with Mc Abbey, Gbenga Adeyinka (Laffmattaz), Ali Baba's (January 1st concert) & Fina - Ali , Mc Amana's (DiSpeakable Me), Cool FM Praise JAM, DAREY's Love Like A Movie, AY LIVE, BasketMouth's (Lord of the Ribs),[11] Africa Laughs (Uganda), SEKA Live (Rwanda) ECOFEST (Sierra Leone) and BENIN GLO LAFFTA FEST (Nigeria)[12]

His self titled comedy concert The Oxymoron Of Kennyblaq won Best Comedy Show at the 2017 and 2018 Naija 102.3 FM Comedy Awards for the first two years during its three-year run.[13] [14] [15] [16]

Blaq's first internationally headlined event was staged at the Indigo O2 on 30 September 2018, titled "Kenny Blaq 'State of Mind, in partnership with SMADE a UK based international show promoter, further solidified his name as one Nigeria's finest comedy export.[17] [18] This aided Kenny Blaq's appearance at "Indaba X; The Laughing Leopard Comedy event", as the events headliner, which took place at Royal Festival Hall.[19] [20] [21]

Blaq was recognised in 2018 as one of the 100 most influential youths in Africa, after winning The Future Awards Africa prize for comedy in the Year 2017,[22] and, in 2020, received the Ooni Youth Royal Award.[23] [24] In 2020, Blaq and crew kicked off a nationwide tour, with their first call in the east at Federal University of Technology Owerri in Imo state, and making their way westward to Ile-Ife at the Obafemi Awolowo University Campus, the tour was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Inside OAU Innovations, a media company in Obafemi Awolowo University, reported that Blaq held a sold-out concert held at Amphitheatre, attended by over 5,000 people.[25] The tour continued on in December to Abuja, where it ended its year run.[26] Blaq made a 12-city tour of the United Kingdom in 2021, after the lockdown, with another promoter Akinlolu Jenkins.[27]

On November 17, 2021, a comedy special shot by Blaq in Lagos debuted on Netflix, making him the first home based comedian out of West Africa to get his production fully licensed by the platform.[28] [29] [30]

Awards

Year Awards Categories
2015 Naija FM Comedy Awards[31] Upcoming Comedian of the Year
2016 MEAMA Awards Best Comedy Act, Nigeria
Naija FM Comedy Awards Best Comedian of The Year
2017The Future Awards Africa[32] [33] Comedy
Naija FM Comedy Awards Best Comedy ShowComedian of The Year
2018Naija FM Comedy Awards[34] Comedian of the Year
Best Comedy Show
Most Fashionable Comedian
2019Naija FM Comedy AwardsMost Fashionable Comedian
MAYA AwardsComedian of The Year (Stand Up)
2021Humor AwardsBest Music Comedian

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Finding true love is really tough as a star –Kenny Blaq. Olonilua. Ademola. 6 January 2018. 1 January 2019.
  2. Web site: 2022-11-30 . Choosing between music, comedy was hard – Kenny Blaq . 2022-12-03 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2022-03-14 . Nigerian comedians can sell out 02 arena - Kenny Blaq The Nation Newspaper . 2022-12-03 . en-US.
  4. Web site: Nwafor . 2022-10-11 . Kaffy, Denrele, Kenny Blaq, others grace Tobems media unlock naija . 2022-12-03 . Vanguard News . en-GB.
  5. Web site: Kenny Blaq, Toyin Lawani, others headline Tobems media's Unlock Naija - Businessday NG . 2022-12-03 . businessday.ng.
  6. Web site: Online . Tribune . 2020-08-01 . Kenny Blaq and Laolu Gbenjo to perform at Africa Magic owambe finale . 2022-12-03 . Tribune Online . en-GB.
  7. Web site: 2020-01-31 . Before Stardom With... Kenny Blaq . 2022-12-03 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  8. Web site: Comedy's next big thing in Nigeria, Kenny Blaq. 20 August 2018. pulse.ng. 1 January 2019.
  9. Web site: 2022-10-13 . Meet Kenny Blaq: Biography, Age, Education, Family, And Career . 2022-12-03 . koko.ng . en-GB.
  10. Web site: About Him. 1 January 2019.
  11. Web site: Comedian delivers an incredible night of comedy in London. 2 October 2018. pulse.ng. 1 January 2019.
  12. Web site: 2017-06-25 . Acapella, Kenny Blaq on fire at Benin Glo Laffta Fest . 2022-12-03 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  13. Web site: Kenny Blaq returns with 'Oxymoron II' comedy show. Jayne. Augoye. 20 June 2018. 1 January 2019.
  14. Web site: Online . Tribune . 2019-06-21 . Music meets comedy: The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq billed for ‘Third term’ . 2022-12-03 . Tribune Online . en-GB.
  15. Web site: The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq – THISDAYLIVE . 2022-12-03 . www.thisdaylive.com.
  16. Web site: 2018-06-19 . Kenny Blaq returns with second edition of 'Oxymoron' comedy show . 2022-12-03 . TheCable Lifestyle . en-US.
  17. Web site: Kenny Blaq – 'State of Mind' Comedy Show The O2. O2. The. www.theo2.co.uk. en. 2020-02-12.
  18. Web site: 'Kenny Blaq State of Mind' To Hold At O2 Arena, UK • Connect Nigeria. Willie. Akwaowo. 2018-09-24. Connect Nigeria. en-GB. 2020-02-12.
  19. Web site: The Laughing Leopard. IndabaX. en-US. 12 February 2020.
  20. Web site: 137451 The Laughing Leopard 2019. Southbank Centre. en. 12 February 2020.
  21. Web site: Eve, Talib Kweli Added to Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre Lineup. Desk. TV News. BroadwayWorld.com. en. 12 February 2020.
  22. Web site: List of 2018 100 Most Influential Young Africans. Dzokpo. Ike. en-US. 12 February 2020.
  23. Web site: Sujimoto receives royal award from Ooni of Ife. 24 January 2020. Vanguard News. en-US. 12 February 2020.
  24. Web site: Rapheal . 2020-01-19 . Osun commissioner, Assembly Chief Whip make list of top African young leaders . 2022-12-03 . The Sun Nigeria . en-US.
  25. Web site: KENNY BLAQ STATE OF MIND TOUR: A Total Shutdown at the Obafemi Awolowo University . 23 March 2019. inside OAU Media.
  26. Web site: Kenny Blaq State of Mind - Abuja Invasion. 4 December 2020.
  27. Web site: Kenny Blaq Hails Akinlolu Jekins, Others for the Success of His UK Tour. 11 October 2021.
  28. Web site: Kenny Blaq's first comedy special to hit Netflix November 17. 5 November 2021.
  29. Web site: 2021-11-06. Kenny Blaq blazes the trail with first Netflix comedy show. 2022-02-18. Vanguard News. en-US.
  30. Web site: First-ever Nigerian music-comedy set to debut on Netflix. 15 November 2021.
  31. Web site: Kenny Blaq Signed As Tromville's Brand Ambassador. 19 February 2018. 1 January 2019.
  32. Web site: The Future Awards Africa 2017: Full List Of Winners. 10 December 2017. 1 January 2019.
  33. Web site: TFAA 2017 Winners List.
  34. Web site: Sola Sobowale, Kenny Blaq, other win big at Naija FM Comedy Awards. 10 November 2018. 1 January 2019.