My Dream is to Go on A Date with Uche Jombo
Samuel Animashaun, aka Sammy Perry, is a new comic sensation on the social media trending as ‘Broda Shaggi.’ The character is a neighbourhood street urchin popularly called agbero who comments on every issue in the country or his immediate environment. Hi
Your character, Broda Shaggi, is sensational. How did you come about the character? Broda Shaggi, the area boy character, started out as an acting role. I studied Creative Arts at the University of Lagos and I have always created different character roles on my Instagram page. So, Broda Shaggi is a character from the (neighbour) hood in Mushin who speaks his mind. He’s a street urchin who tries to make sense out of nonsense.
I have always wanted to be different. I have always wanted to put a smile on people’s face: my parents, friends, classmates, and the community at large. In trying to be different on social media, I looked at every comedian and their styles. So, I decided to bring something new to the game. I have different characters in me: like the policeman, Inspector Perry and the agbero, Broda Shaggi. The agbero character came out during Uche Jombo’s production, the series, ‘Boys are not smiling.’ That wasn’t the character I played but it happened behind the scene. I discussed it with my friend who is also my manager and he told me to go ahead with it. I started Broda Shaggi using Yoruba language but I saw that it wasn’t generally accepted and I wanted to reach everybody. I decided to try it in pidgin which I did and it worked for me and I knew this is what I had been waiting for.
There is a skit you did on Big Brother Naija. What is your take on the new Big Brother’s voice?
Wow! Like I said in the skit, big brother’s voice is not what we expected it to be. In fact, I should have gone for audition for the Big Brother’s voice because I do not know who is speaking and it’s so surprising, when I heard the voice and I was shocked.
If you had the chance to govern Nigeria, what would be the first thing you would change in the country?
I would empower the youth. There is so much talent in Nigerian youths which can help the country.
Do you think you’ve ‘arrived’ now? I’m not there yet. One thing is certain: I would not have been known if there was no support from Tunde Ednut. I will keep saying it because I was going through my direct messages and I realised that I have messaged so many people out there to help push my work. But there were no replies. Since last week though I have been getting traffic and replies on my page from so many people; people I couldn’t believe would message me. Broda Shaggi has brought me what I have always wanted. I’m going to help the youth so that everybody can be recognized. I know we cannot help everybody at once. But there are some people out there who need to be heard on social media. Everything is now on social media, including politics. I think I would like youth empowerment.
If you had the opportunity to go on a date with a female celebrity in Nigeria who would that be?
It would definitely be Uche Jombo. She is a very nice person and down to earth. She has helped a lot in Broda Shaggi’s character. She advised me on many things to work on. Yes, it would definitely be Uche Jombo.
How do you come up with your skits?
The inspiration comes to me whenever. Sometimes, I just sit and type out the question which the interviewer will ask and build up on that later. I start to get my punch-lines; make plots. I don’t like going direct when I’m passing a message because I want you to think, laugh and still get the message out of it. The inspiration comes anywhere either in the toilet or bed.
Who has inspired you in the comedy industry?
I watch every comedian out there and I have not seen anyone do what I do. So, I don’t think I’m looking up to anybody because I have always wanted to be different. However, I have a lot of respect for Lasisi Elenu, Ogbeni Adun, Arole, and Tywese –they are creative.
What is the story behind the name, Broda Shaggi?
Broda Shaggi came about last December when I was at a mechanic’s workshop to fix my car. The mechanic, whose name is Sule, was talking to a friend of his and said, ‘Olorun ti jesu