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Kojo, The King of UK Black Comedy

Kojo Akoto has gradually emerged as one of the biggest talents to come out of the UK black comedy circuit. The London-born Ghanian comedian came onto the comedy scene some seven years ago and has since left an impressive imprint on the business. He schooled at The Comedy School in UK where he learnt to […]

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kojoKojo Akoto has gradually emerged as one of the biggest talents to come out of the UK black comedy circuit. The London-born Ghanian comedian came onto the comedy scene some seven years ago and has since left an impressive imprint on the business.

He schooled at The Comedy School in UK where he learnt to perfect the art of stage performance as well as the different aspects of comedy. He performed at his first ever show at Middlesex University just after two months on the course and became an instant hit with the crowd. In 2005, Kojo performed his first one-man-show entitled “The Truth Hurts” at the Catford Theatre and it was a complete sell out. He steadily became a household name among comedy lovers and is now the toast of many comic performances, radio and TV programmes; music events and concerts.

Kojo has worked on BBC radio and TV, MTV and Channel U. His credits include: “Malai Presents”; “Malai Monologue”; “No Bling Comedy”; “Raymond is Late” among many others. He has received several awards in the UK including The Black Entertainment Comedy Awards for: “Best Newcomer” 2001, “Best Male Comedian” 2005 and 2006. He also has a Young Achievement Award from GPA Awards 2005. Kojo recently had his first ever comic performance in Ghana where Jamati caught up with him for this interview.

When did you start doing comedy?
I started in 2000 and basically, it has been going very well. I have been all over the world; I have been in L.A, Atlanta, Miami, and New York. I have been to Nigeria, Holland, Germany, and Italy.

Were you born in Ghana?
No I was born in London.

Why did you choose to do comedy?
I was in America, working with some kids as a teacher. We used to write plays for the kids to perform and my plays always had jokes in them. At a point, I saw Martin Lawrence doing comedy and I said to myself that I could do it, because I have always been confident talking in front of people. In 2000, I went to a drama school that was based on stand-up comedy; did my first show and the rest is history.

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That was in the Comedy School?
Yes, it is based in the UK and was founded by fellow comedian, Rudi Lickwood and a guy called Keith Palmer. Basically, it is a drama school that teaches you about acting, comedy and everything else. It is pretty cool.

You learnt drama, comedy and acting. Why did you branch more into stand-up?
At the end of the course, that was where it got to. I never wanted to be a comedian; I never knew anything about it. It was just something I saw and I knew how to do it. So basically that’s it, and I have been travelling all over the world, performing.

You must be enjoying it
Oh yea!

When did you get your lucky break as a comedian?
I am not really sure. I am from Hackney, in East London and we have a theatre there as big as the Apollo in New York, called the Hackney Empire. So I think the first time I performed there was my biggest break. There were about 1,500 people there and even though I only performed for about 5 minutes, I blew the house up that day. And from that day, my name has been getting around and I started performing at several events. So I’d say my first break was at Hackney Empire.

What was your first performance like?
It was really good. I was crazily nervous but I had been practising at the drama school for two months so I was able to handle it. To me, I was bored because I was writing the same jokes over and over again and they kept telling me to write the same jokes over and over at the school. I was getting frustrated because I was saying to myself, why do they keep telling me to do the same jokes? But when I performed it for the first time to a fresh audience, they were laughing and enjoying it. I looked confident, because I knew it backwards. So I think that discipline of repeating and repeating it allowed me to get more comfortable.

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You have won a couple of awards down the years. How does that make you feel?
Basically, I have won four awards; I have won “Young Achievement Award” at the 2003 Ghana Professionals Awards organised by the Ghana Association in London. I won best newcomer in my first year doing comedy, 2001. And I have won Best Comedian for the last two years. So it’s gone pretty well and I am really pleased about it.

What else do you do aside stand-up?
In seven years, I have worked for the BBC Radio and I have had two shows on BBC television. I am currently doing a show on MTV in London as well, and that is basically a comedy show based on improvisation and other sketches. I also have a comedy club in London which is on every Sunday, and it is the only black comedy club in the UK. We find new talents and I host.

You also had a program on CBBC.
Yes it was a Saturday children’s programme but we have finished that now and we are currently working on the MTV project at the moment. It was called the “Mighty Truck of Stuff” and it was basically a kid’s show I hosted with another Ghanaian guy called Reggie Yates. It was a big truck that we spent the whole week filling with prizes and then on Saturday, the kids would call in and we would ask questions based on the show that day. There would be three callers and the lucky one gets all the stuff that we put in the truck.

Why did you take so long before performing in your home country Ghana?
I guess I was waiting to be invited I. I have been to Nigeria and it doesn’t make sense to go to Nigeria and not come to my own country. Now was the right time because I was available as well. At other times, I wasn’t available due to filming and doing other shows. I am happy that I finally did, it was a great show.

How different was the Ghanaian audience?
I didn’t know what to expect and I think that was the best because if I expected something then it would make it either easier or harder. But I think not knowing, being thrown in the deep end is how to get the best out of me. I adapted to the situation and they enjoyed the show like any other audience I have had anywhere in the world. I thought that I may go in there and maybe they would not understand or they may think I was talking too fast but I easily adapted. I like performing to new and different audiences because it makes my jokes fresh.

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Ameyaw Meets

Oprah Winfrey & Blitz Bazawule answer my questions about ‘The Color Purple’

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Oprah Winfrey & Blitz Bazawule answer my questions about ‘The Color Purple’

In April, I had the opportunity to join a Zoom Q&A session with Oprah Winfrey and Blitz Bazawule, courtesy FilmOne Distribution. The conversation was around the bold remake of ‘The Color Purple’ scheduled for release this Christmas!   (more…)

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Ameyaw Meets

Asari Music highlights new single ‘Like Dat’, balancing college with music and more

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Asari Music

Week-in week-out I get to interview one of the many faces in showbiz and this week on Ameyaw Meets, Asari Music is the one. She’s a young, upcoming and very talented Ghanaian-American singer – who in case you haven’t heard, is out with the hottest song you might hear all week. (more…)

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People & Lifestyle

I single-handedly popularized Shea Butter in the United States – Margaret Andega

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According to Margaret Andega, a Kenyan entrepreneur in Atlanta, she was the driving force behind the commercialization of Shea Butter in the US during the late 90s. (more…)

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People & Lifestyle

He went from cooking on Instagram to owning a food truck in Atlanta and more… the story of Quabena’s Kitchen

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story of Quabena’s Kitchen

The COVID-19 pandemic birthed many opportunities for people all over the globe. For one Ghanaian living in the US, the pandemic reconnected him with his passion which has now become a full-time job.

Quabena’s Kitchen shared with me his story about how he went from cooking for family and friends, to sharing content of his cooking on Instagram page at the height of the pandemic, which has now transformed into a thriving catering business in Atlanta, Georgia.

Quabena’s Kitchen services now include a food truck providing Ghanaian and West African delicacies to Africans and non-Africans alike, with ambitions of a restaurant on the cards!

Watch this exciting story on Ameyaw TV below:

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Read Also: The chef behind Fufu Pizza is about to open Afro-Fusion Cafe in Atlanta

 

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Ameyaw Meets

The chef behind Fufu Pizza is about to open Afro-Fusion Cafe in Atlanta

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US-based Liberian professional chef, Chauncy Yarngo caught the attention of the world with his amazing creations such as fufu pizza, fufu taco, plantain burgers and more. (more…)

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Fashion

Why Ghanaian-American Jeffrey Ampratwum is the menswear expert to watch in fashion!

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At the start of the Victoria era, early 19th century – the English began to tone down the royal style dressing of the French army, namely those adorned in prestigious regalia and heavy embroidery. It was a sign of English nationalism and sparked a new wave of appearance in men. A few decades later, the suit was born and heavily influenced those in Italy and America. The British and the Americans have a rich revolutionary history, of course, and coincidentally the British colonized the African country – Gold Coast – until 1957 when they declared their independence and changed their name to Ghana. 

 

As part of an independent Ghana, a host of individuals began to exercise new freedoms and venture out of the country into new territories. Many Ghanaians set their eyes on American travel and a wave of trail blazers left the country and settled in the infamous New York City. For most, it was an opportunity to plant new seeds in the hopes that their children would be afforded even more opportunities for a prosperous life.

 

One of these children of the diaspora is Bronx-born Jeffrey Ampratwum. The only child to Kate Bampoe and Eugene Asante-Ampratwum Mpere, who met in the Bronx after immigrating from Ghana. The dynamics of having African parents and being raised in a heavily eclectic environment gave rise to Jeffreys style and prose. More importantly, we can honestly say that there are only a handful of Ghanaian-Americans living in the states that can exhibit a special presentation that reflects both their African heritage married with the esthetic of their nationality. We recently caught up with Jeffrey to discuss how his early influences provided him with a framework to now become such a strong force in the menswear industry in fashion.

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Jeffrey. 

AD: Jeffrey, Ɛte sɛn?

 

Jeff: Haha, Eye.

 

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AD: I had to test your Twi really quick! You know most Ghanaians who are born in the states dont have a clue about the language unless its spoken fiercely in the home.

 

Jeff: You are 100% correct with that. Ha. But for me, I was lucky in that my mother took me to Ghana before I even knew how to use words. So, in actuality, Twi was the first language and vocabulary I learned, and in essence, English is my second language. So, Im really decent when it comes to using Twi. Im a cheat code! But keep that quiet. Ha.

  

AD: How much of the remnants of the Ghanaian culture factored into your approach to your style and presentation?

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Jeff: When I was younger and in school, particularly in the Bronx – it wasnt always your proudest moment to be from Africa or to say your family was African. Part of the silly embarrassment was perhaps from the narratives that were spinning on television. Americans were being indoctrinated with visuals of feed the children” which only highlighted the extreme poverty in a few Africans countries. The images and broadcasts were all the same, for decades. So called philanthropist and humanitarians took camera crews into ravaged areas and televised starving children for us to see here in the states. I believe that had a profound effect on young boys and girls born from African parents.

Jeffrey

However, as for me – I always looked at being dark skinned and being deeply rooted into my African culture as a super power. I liked the idea of being different, even though all the kids in all my classes were also children of immigrants. They just couldnt grasp the concept of it at that time. So, from there, it was showtime. My Uncle, Joseph Ken Mintah – was the pioneer as the first in the family to travel to the states – he had extreme style. My mother also is very detailed with her sense of jewelry and fragrances. I adsorbed it all. 

 

AD: Did you start dressing in traditional African attire? What do you mean exactly?

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Jeff: Not exactly! But, being an only child really allowed for me to sit deep in thought for long periods of time. Being left-handed allowed for me to be extremely dexterous and detailed. And being raised solely by my mother further allowed me to pay attention to the importance of clothing and accessories – as she dressed herself each morning. It was the ultimate cocktail and I was already drunk with creativity. I started customizing all the clothes I had. By no means were we wealthy, so I had to manage just a few outfits for school.

 

My styling began when I would turn 5 outfits into 15 – so essentially, a 5-day school week became New York Fashion Week for me. I would airbrush my sneakers, turn Old Navy sweaters inside out for a fleece appeal, and cuff my jeans in 4 different ways depending on my footwear. This soon became a bad habit and made me late for school many mornings.

 

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AD: You see, if you are late to school in Ghana back then – you might as well have sat by the road to hide from both your mother and headmaster! What was college like for you then?

 

Jeff: Right! Ha. It grew legs during my undergrad. Now all the pretty girls were around, I had more freedom to come and go, and more importantly – I had a stage to showcase my style. I joined a student club in the SEEK Program, and soon became the President and started hosting a string of events based around fashion. 4 years and a bachelors degree later, there were 6 fashion shows and 3 beauty pageants under my belt. Huge successes. I started to doubt my real educational reason for attending college, which was to become a dentist. Fashion was dancing on one shoulder and dentistry on the other. But somehow, I figured out how to still involve the two. My best buddy, Kenny – whom I met at the college on the road to become dentists – made it through. So, I live vicariously through him. And now, coincidentally – together we’ve developed a brand – a service of bespoke mens luxury shoes and women’s handbags, and ready to wear womenswear shoes as well. Named, Kenjeffreys. It is serendipitous because all of the products are sourced and handcrafted in Haiti and infused with Ghanaian culture. As Kenny is from Haiti, we properly employ artisans within the community and focus heavily on our social impact.

Following undergrad, I then began at FIT as student, really just trying to test my styling hand – and to learn more about the industry. While there, I came across extremely talented and knowledgeable fashion professionals that have really guided me. Namely, Sadia Seymour and Joseph DeAcetis. Both wildly experienced, patient and embedded with a wealth of information. Respectfully in womenswear and menswear. You cannot beat that, and I am grateful for it.

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AD: That is strangely unique and admirable. Talk to us about how all those experiences and inspirations give rise to the Jeffrey or Che we see today and ultimately, where that places you in your field of fashion and menswear.

 

Jeff: Sure. Great point. I have been indoctrinated by the basic principles of creativity as an adolescent – with respect to clothing. That is extremely hard to shake. Innately, styling was my ultimate form of communication, seeing that I was a shy introvert. So now, I still revert back to those same feelings…. the feeling of home, warmth, memories, great food and innocent fun. My approach now is exactly the same in the sense that when I am dressing, styling or designing for someone – I am taking into account their entire repertoire and holding a mirror in front of them which reflects the items that they love most. It is a skill that perhaps only empaths are only able to exhibit.

 

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Having the ability to read into thoughts and connecting with the motivating spirits that drives people – is a gift. I ran the New York City marathon three times, and the 2nd time I ran it in a tuxedo! It was my ultimate homage and pledging of allegiance to fashion. Ha.

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I also believe my extensive traveling experience has aided to the arsenal. Recent trips to Ghana always resets a creative instinct with me, as I look around and arrive back to a place of self-awareness. It feels right. My cousin Harry knows where to be to capture the real essence of the land. And, coincidentally enough, I am often back and forth to the UK as well. Savile row in London, England -as you know – is a menswear connoisseurs Disney Land. It is the traditional hub for the world’s best tailored-bespoke suits. Naples and Florence are a close second. However, sartorially, the British have etched their names in the fine-art making of the suit. I do though spend most of my time in Brighton, UK. Its where my love is and also like a second home for me. The culture there is infused with various styles and the community is inviting. The Duchess of Brighton-Hove, Lady Donna and her amazing friends will assure that you have a great time! 

 

AB: Finally, talk to us about your styling approach with respect to specific talent that you work with.

 

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Jeff: Definitely. This is perhaps an area you cannot teach. It is learned with years of experience and even reading the room wrong most times. I tell my fashion students often that they have to continue shooting airballs at the basket. Get out the miss shots, now – and properly learn your subjects. For example, if I am styling a celebrity for the red carpet – several nuances are to be considered before arriving at a dress or a tuxedo. Such as, what stages in life is your talent currently in, how body conscious are they and what are they most nostalgic about. These (and some of my other secrets that I cannot give away) are the pillars to nailing great style, image and presentation.

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If I am shooting for a magazine in a studio – its party time. If you are not dancing as a model or grooving as a photographer, you are are in the wrong business, per say! Haha. With me, you are very liable to hear everyone from Bob Marley, James Brown, MJ, and Jay-Z to Queen, Lady Gaga, Biggie, Nas and Beyonce all on the same playlist. I say that to say: I enjoy what I do in fashion, and I will always represent the joys of that. I believe that is what makes me an enigma in this industry. Always professional however, but make it subjective and inject areas of your creativity wherever you can. Particularly in menswear – I keep a very intimate and close pulse on traditional, casual and street styles of these sub genres – and study them gravely like the science they are. That all still comes from sitting deep in thought as I did
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