Owen G: On becoming a successful entertainer

Comedian, MC and TV host, Owen Osamwengie better known as Owen Gee, is a gifted comedian, singer, dancer and actor who has carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry. From standup comedy to his weekly show Buzz live, Owen –G is a force to reckon with at time. The proud father in this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, led his into his world of fashion among others. Enjoy…

How would you describe your kind of comedy?
It’s called crazy comedy. I am not that kind of a comedian whom people can predict his next line of jokes or what he’s going to say next. I have no limitations and restrictions, I can do anything. You can’t pinpoint how far I would go to make you laugh, that is why I am called Nigeria’s craziest comedian because my comedy would hit you hard.

What makes jokes funny?
I am of the opinion that your personality should be funnier than your jokes. This is because you can run out of jokes but not your personality. Moreover, there are five rules to abide to as a successful entertainer or comedian. The first is to be creative, second is originality; the third is to be intelligent, brand yourself is the fourth and the fifth is to put God in all you do. If you put these five rules together, you will definitely hit success.

What are you currently working on?

I am working on so many things. I just put finishing touches on a script for a film I am about to shoot. We are shooting in some weeks. I want to do comedy films. I have done every other thing in the industry and it is time to do movies. I am also planning to do my stand up show that would occur yearly from now on. It would be towards the end of the year.

What can’t you be caught wearing?

I don’t think I can be caught wearing crazy jeans. I am grown pass that age. I would also not be caught wearing skinny jeans. At my age I should not be seen wearing that, also, I like my groin area to be able to breathe. They are very important to me. Those jeans restrict them. I love to move around a lot but those jeans could restrain my movement. I don’t like anything that is tight.

A lot of men do not like wearing shorts but you seem very comfortable in them, why?

I have good looking legs. In fact, some people say that I have feminine legs. I am very comfortable with my legs. I started out as a young man wearing a lot of shorts, baggy shorts so it became a norm for me as I grew up. You will never get to my house and see me wearing trousers. If I am wearing trousers you will know that I am going out. My kids know, anytime I put on trousers they say, ‘daddy where are you going to?’ Even if I want to take a stroll, I put on shorts. I have been comfortable with shorts right from the onset because I have good legs.

Have you always been proud of you baldness?

Yes. Interestingly, a lot of people come to me with a lot of complaints about being bald. Few days ago, a younger colleague who is about 35 years old came to me and was complaining that he is going bald. He said he has tried everything to stop it but no luck and he has only been faced with the situation for about five months. I just laughed at him and told him that my hair has been like this since I was in my 20s. Ever since I have known myself as a young adult, I don’t think I have ever had hair on my head and I have always been comfortable with it. I have never envied people who barb Mohawk. There was a day my eight year old son told me, ‘daddy why do you always barb the same hair style? Why don’t you barb something like my own?’ I just laughed and told him that at some point in his life he would know why I never barbed a different haircut. I have always been comfortable with it because I think bald men are very sexy. There are a lot of bald men who are actors and model and they look very nice. There are two things I cannot keep; I cannot have hair on my head and I cannot keep beards.

So you have never changed your looks?

I have been rocking my moustache and goatee for over 15 years and I have not changed my looks for that long. Anytime I step out, people say that they like the way I look. Even when I want to act any character, they must describe the character in such a way that he is going to have a moustache and a goatee, that is how I like to look. It is just me. I just want people to see me and say that is Owen G.

What is your fashion fetish?

I really love perfumes. I like to smell good. If you smell good, you are my friend. People who smell bad disgust me. I cannot stand body odour or any form of odour. I recently started liking wristwatches and I will start building my collection. I am currently working on having my own range of short sleeve shirts.