THERE ARE CERTAIN BOUNDARIES I DON'T CROSS - Elenu (Comedian)

Elenu (Akinlami Babatunde Julius)  

He is popularly know as Elenu ,  but am sure you didn't know his real name is Akinlami Babtunde Julius. He is one of Nigeria's talented  standup Comedian,  husband to Jane Akinlami,   father to Jaden Akinlami, and a bonafy graduate of the University of Benin, Nigeria.  Recently at the cool FM office where he happens to anchor a show,  he had a brief but enlightening chat with Micheal Irabor  of Kinggs Blog . In this interview,  he opened our eyes to a lot of things the public never knew about him,  and his plans on giving back to the public. Enjoy.

What’s your definition of a skilled comedian?
Someone who is creative, who has a good story line that people can relate to. Gone are the days when people come out to crack dead jokes about dogs that can talk, and rats that can sing. A good comedian should be able to put humor into our regular day to day activities..

Why do you think most people fail in comedy?
I am not sure I am in the best position to answer that question, but I think in every business we go into, we are either bound to fail, or come out victorious. It all depends o how the business is being managed.

On your path, what has been the most challenging aspect of being a comedian?
Personally, I would say it’s the part where I always have to make people laugh.  That’s the most challenging part. Because I have to always stay fresh even though it isn’t fresh, I just have to make it a bombshell.

Elenu (Akinlami Babatunde Julius) 

Tell us about your humble beginning, how you were able to break into limelight, and what was your stepping stone?
Well my beginning was humble, and hungry at the same time. I was the kind of comedian who didn’t see comedy as any reliable source of living, it was something I only did for fun. I actually wanted to be a doctor, but somewhere along the line, I fell in love with computers. I studied computer science in the university of Benin, them somewhere along the line I started mimicking popular comedian. Basically comedy actors. Because back then standup comedy wasn’t as strong as it is right now, or it wasn’t even strong in business. Well, I was doing it, and people started advising me on how I could go places my doing comedy professionally. So I decided to give it a try. So I went for the AY”S OPEN MIC COEDY COMPETETION IN 2006. First I went in October, but I lost to SHAKARA, so I went again in Novmber, and that was my breaking point.

If you are to count your blessings, who are the four people you wont fail to add to the list?
First my mom, my wife, Ay, and Basketmuth.

How’s life as a father, family man, and a showbiz person going go you, because at this point everyone wants to be around you. How are you able to manage this?
My family life is private, and it is glaring to everyone that I am a married man. And there are certain boundaries I don’t cross. When it comes to my family, its strictly my business. My family isn’t for the public. Elenu is for the public, Akinlami Babatunde Julius as a married man is not for the public.

What is that thing people don’t really know about Elenu, could you share some of those things with us.
One thing people do not know about me is that, I am one of the best bass guitarist I know, I am a biker, I have been biking for 15 years now. And I have great fear for poverty.  I fear that guy a lot.

Tell us about your greatest achievements so far doing comedy.
Comfortability.   The fact that my family is happy, not just my close family, but extended family. That’s a huge achievement. Its something I do that they re very proud of.

What is comedy yet to do for you?
Well I cant think of any right now.

Elenu (Akinlami Babatunde Julius)  

Tell us abot your worst experience as a comedian.
That has only happened once. In 2007 I went on stage being an inexperienced, immature comedian to do a comedy a comedian in lagos had done, which worked for him. I felt doing it in my state Delta would make sense, but unfortunately for me, it wasn’t a nice experience. I almost died.

What are you presently working on?
Presently I have been producing, and anchoring shows. Some on cool, an Wazobia TV. I also have my own thing coming up. I am also working on something that would enable me give back to the public. I wasn’t raised in the best of environments. I have seen how difficult life can be for people. At times I wish I was so rich, so I can help every single person I see on the streets, but at the same time I know it isn’t possible. So I am still looking at starting something I call the TEN NAIRA project. The TEN NAIRA project, is not something I would really want to go into details right now. But it is something I intend going into to give back to the public, in terms of medication, and matters the less privileged  battle with.

If given a fortune, what would you spend it on?
If given a fortune? My brother I go first buy one better house for Banana Island. A lot of people would tell you “I would give to the poor and all’ but what about myself? First of all, I would make sure I am comfortable. Then I would also invest in my project. The TEN NAIRA project.