Live Magazine met up with Kojo the comedian, also known as ‘Fresh Prince of Hackney’, and had a chat about his career and the divide between the black and white comedy communities, Jamelia and rude Chuck D.
Live Magazine: You’ve been busy since your debut in 2000. How did you manage to get where you are today?
Kojo: Hard work, arguments and passion. From 2000 I did a workshop called Comedy School, a drama school specific to stand-up. In 2000 I had my first ever show. I’d been rehearsing the jokes for three months and I was so angry I hadn’t got to perform them. The first show went absolutely amazing. I knew the jokes backwards, so when I actually did perform it looked like I was a professional.
On your radio show you do pranks. What gives you the ideas?
I grew up listening to Geoff Schumann, he was my favourite radio presenter, I just loved his pranks. Back then everybody used to listen to it. Pranks are old-school radio and I think old school is sometimes good to bring back.
You presented with Jamelia. People commented about the chemistry between you. Is there anything you want to tell us?
Me and Jamelia have been friends for years. We have loads of mutual friends and when I lived in New York, she was in town and we hung out. She is a really sweet, beautiful girl. I love her to the bone.
You’ve worked with some influential people during your career. Which collaboration meant the most to you?
My idol for stand-up is Chris Rock. It’s like asking people what World Cup you remember – Chris Rock is my World Cup. I saw him coming up, I saw the movies that he’s done. I saw what he was speaking about when he spoke about it and why he is who he is today. I actually saw it from live as well when he came to my comedy club.
And having the opportunity to work with Russell Simmons. When he was doing Def Comedy Tour, I was asked to host it, and then I went to America to work with him out there.
What about your other current projects?
The main thing right now is Live ‘N’ Kicking. After 11 years of doing stand-up I think it’s the right time to do this. I’m from Hackney so this is an opportunity for me to speak my mind. Hackney is still ruined and in the after-fix of the riots and it would be good to get that whole area together for two nights and make them smile.
What is happening with your Comedy Funhouse? It was really popular but it has gone a bit quiet.
It is one of those things where it was so amazing that if I’m going to bring it back it has to be as good as last time. Fingers crossed, it might.
I’ve read that there’s a divide between the black and white comedy communities. Do you agree with this?
Yes, there is a divide. I would be lying if I said there wasn’t. Part of the reason is because people don’t want to go on the opposite side. When you write a joke, it is about making everybody laugh. I live in a world where I see all kinds of races, so for me to write a joke specific to one race would be very silly, especially if you wanna progress.
Who is the rudest person you’ve ever met or interviewed?
Oh God! Chuck D from Public Enemy. I interviewed him once and all I said to him was “Public Enemy haven’t been out for ages. Why reunite now after all these years?” And he said, “For you to ask me a stupid question like that you clearly know nothing of Public Enemy.” I said, “I wasn’t born in 1920.” And he was, “This interview is through.”
What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next five years?
I think I’ve already achieved everything I’ve wanted to. So now I look at it as if I’m on the bonus stage. I used to be up to all kinds of stupid stuff when I was young, and comedy really took me away from all that. All I wanted to do was to make people laugh.
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