Klint Afamefuna Igwemba, popularly known as Klint de Drunk, is into comedy. But he is so unique that you can hardly encounter him without leaving with a permanent smile and unforgettable impression. YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s JULIET IKEOKWU encountered him recently and hasn’t stopped smiling and laughing. These are some of the things he told her…
What makes a good comedian?
Talent, being observant, opening your eyes to things happening around you, because it’s from those thing that you will be able to pull out funny things. But some comedians rely on comedy movies and shows, then they memorize what they are watching, and that’s it. The bad part of that is that you will continue telling a particular story or wait until somebody does something different before you can change your story.
Are you saying that you can’t train someone to start telling jokes?
I can train someone to be a comedian when I see a little bit of talent; I can enhance someone that has the talent. That’s why I can’t come out and do like a comedy challenge or competition because someone can learn some jokes from people I don’t know, come there and I will think the person is good and he wins only for him to continue doing the same joke over and over for years. You need someone that is original, someone that can create his or her jokes and then nurture them to limelight.
What do you like about being a comedian?
I love the fact that in the comedy industry, once you know your job, you last longer. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s very cumbersome. People don’t know it. It’s very stressful, it makes you work, you think a lot. I know exactly what I want to say, but I don’t know how to explain it. It’s something that can bring out another you. You discover yourself even more.
What is the greatest thing that comedy has done for you?
Comedy has lifted me from whom I was, to who I am. God gave me that talent and it is who I am.
You started out as a musician or by combining music and comedy. Would you call yourself a musician?
No, I’m not a musician. The truth is you can’t do everything. I’m a painter, I will be doing my art exhibition next year and also get some other things out. I cannot do all.
How do you sustain success as a comedian?
Humility. If you are not humble, you can’t sustain anything. It’s a secret that people don’t know. You feel that sustaining success is by working hard and bringing out things and putting yourself out there. What if you bring out something and it’s not out there? Look at the massive support 2Face received on his book launch. That’s because he is humble. We all know that. Everybody also knows that. We know what he went through in his career, but he’s still at the top. His humility helped him. So, humility will help you last long in whatever you are doing. Don’t be proud to the same people that you are going to perform for. I told a musician, that when you sing a song, look into the camera and see that your fans are your everything. Without you, I won’t be here. You are my pride and joy, but when they come to you, you tell them to go away. By doing so, you have created a negative impression of yourself to them. When they hear your music again, it won’t be the same. So, we all have to watch it.
Are you planning on having your own comedy show anytime soon?
Yes, by next year, I will be coming out with my comedy show. I am bringing out a magazine too and my art exhibition next year by the grace of God. One thing about all of them is that they have a comedy under-tone.
You don’t take alcohol, so how did you come up with your stage name?
Yes, I don’t take it; not that I can’t take it. But each time I take it, I get a headache that lasts for days. So, I asked myself why should I take something that will give me joy for some time and suffer for like three days afterwards? So I stopped. My name is Klint and I act as a drunk. People always think that it means I drink a lot. Well, Segun Arinze has killed many people in movies. Does that make him a murderer too? Patience Ozokwor has murdered so many sons and daughters in law in the movies, does that mean she is a murderer too? There is this man in my village, his name is Scatter Nwaojo, he is a caretaker and he drinks a lot. So, whenever I see him drunk, I always watch him display, and I will go in front of a mirror and do what he was doing. That was the beginning of it all. When I was in school, I used to sing till 2Face came to a show, they just told me abeg, this guy just has to perform. I said okay, the next time he sang, I was confused, I went and came back with comedy. I decided to try that thing that Scatter Nwaojo was doing when he was drunk and that was it.
You can act also, but it seems like you don’t do movies anymore?
I’ve always been in Nollywood. I was in Stephanie Okereke’s recent movie, Dry. I acted as a frustrated doctor. I did another movie, Igene. It’s coming out soon. I was in 10:10, but I don’t want to be fully involved in Nollywood. I am very much into comedy, so if I do anything outside comedy, I do in a substitute way. The major thing I do still remains comedy. The other things are extra.
Why did you choose comedy?
Because that is one thing I know I was born to do. I love seeing people smile. Right from my childhood, and I joined the Red Cross. When you help people, you see them smile, you see them happy. It’s a joy to behold. And comedy does that to me more than any other thing.
How did you meet your wife, Lilian?
We met in Jos. We were just friends. She is someone I could confide in. I even tell her my relationship problems and she will tell me hers. When I broke up with my girlfriend and she was single as well, we decided to give it a try and that was it.
Are you this playful in your house?
My dear, if I’m not like this, I would have died. I love being happy. I watch cartoons a lot.