Kenny Blaq

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]

Kenny Blaq
Birth nameOtolorin Kehinde Peter
Born30th of September, 1992
NationalityNigerian
EducationFederal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Training School, Ikeja, Lagos
Years active2008
Websitekennyblaq.tv

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][17]

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.[18][19] 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.[20][21][22]

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,[23] and, in 2020, received the Ooni Youth Royal Award.[24][25] 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.[26] The tour continued on in December to Abuja, where it ended its year run.[27] Blaq made a 12-city tour of the United Kingdom in 2021, after the lockdown, with another promoter Akinlolu Jenkins.[28]

On November 17, 2021, a comedy special shot by Blaq in Lagos debuted on popular video streaming platform Netflix, making him the first home based comedian out of West Africa to get his production fully licensed by the platform .[29][30][31]

Awards
YearAwardsCategories
2015Naija FM Comedy Awards[32]Upcoming Comedian of the Year
2016 MEAMA Awards[32]Best Comedy Act, Nigeria
Naija FM Comedy Awards[13]Best Comedian of The Year
2017 The Future Awards Africa[33][34]Comedy
Naija FM Comedy Awards[13]Best Comedy Show

Comedian of The Year

2018 Naija FM Comedy Awards[14]Comedian of the Year
Best Comedy Show
Most Fashionable Comedian
2019 Naija FM Comedy Awards Most Fashionable Comedian
MAYA Awards Comedian of The Year (Stand Up)
2021 Humor Awards Best Music Comedian

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