Just for laughs

Stand up comedian JB is determined to take his art to a new level. That doesn’t sound like a tough task given that his father is the legendary Masanduku arap Smit of the Vioja Mahakamani and Vitimbi fame. This ‘A’ student quit his studies in Engineering in Russia after comedy sidetracked him. He spoke to Buzz

What’s your real name?

Nathan Muya Kimani. JB is my stage name. I got it from my late dad Masanduku arap Smit. JB means Junior Box that is Masanduku Junior.

How was your childhood?

I was born and raised in Nairobi. I’m the second born in a family of three. I have an elder sister and a younger brother. My dad passed on in 1998 when I was only nine and my mom also passed on in 2004. I lived with my uncle and was later on adopted by our family friends, the Wagacha’s.

Where did you go to school?

I schooled at Starehe Boys Centre from 2004 to 2007.

I’m curious what grade did you get?

I got A-

You went abroad after High school?

I secured a scholarship and went to Russia to study engineering. I was at Belgorod State University for one and half years.

And then?

I came home for holiday and never went back. I started doing comedy.

Were your foster parents disappointed with your decision?

Not really. The major issue was for me to be in school. I enrolled for a commerce degree at Strathmore University.

Why the change from engineering to commerce?

Engineering was not my burning passion. I have always loved entrepreneurship. My foster parents are business people and I have seen them succeed remarkably. I want to follow their path.

How exactly did you break into comedy?

I actually got into comedy through pure accident. It was last year when I had come home for holiday from Russia; I was helping my cousin at a cast agency. We were casting for GBS’s comedy battle show called “Gag Battle” and my work was taking the guys for audition. I found them rehearsing doing accents and I felt like they were not nailing it, I decided to help them out. One of the judges heard me and enquired if I had come to perform too. When I said no, he strongly advised that I audition too. I rounded up a team and we did two shows, one of which saw us tops in the season finale.

And Churchill Live?

The network was made one evening that I had attended a friend’s baby shower. The husband happened to be an editor of Churchill Live and most of the crew was there. I mentioned that I do comedy and they dared me to crack them up there and then. They were impressed and I was asked to audition, which I passed and was featured regularly in the show.

You mimic the Vice-President pretty well, have you ever met him?

No I haven’t but I would like to meet him and have a chat with him. I find him very interesting.

Who are the local and international comics that you admire?

Churchill, Eddy Griffin, Chris Rock, Ellen Degeneres and Pablo from Uganda. I just don’t understand how Ellen Degeneres can manage to host a 30-minute comedy show daily! She’s a killer!

Who’s your major competitor?

I would say Eric Omondi. He’s my peer and seriously funny! I esteem him because he’s been in the industry for a longer period than me.

What challenges have you faced as a stand-up comedian?

Comedy is a tough business. Being a stand-up comedian can be very difficult, as it takes just the right mixture of jokes, timing and delivery. A live audience can sometimes make your performance miserable by wearing serious faces and expecting you to make them laugh because that’s what they’ve paid for.

What are you doing now?

I’m co-hosting a daily TV talk show called Matatu. I am an actor in the Mheshimiwa TV drama. I’m also an emcee as well as hosting events.

How has fame changed your life?

I have lost friends simply because some think that I snob them nowadays. But it is because of the nature of my work. I sometimes don’t have time for myself leave alone friends and family. But few close friends and family understand and have been supportive. My dad used to say that when you are in the limelight you are sort of married to your job. And I have I seen this happen to me.

You are very attractive and deadly humorous! That’s a lethal combination that women look for in a man

Ha! ha!, I’m not aware if I’m a chic magnet but I have stalkers. I have had experiences where anonymous ladies call me up while others send me messages via Facebook saying that they wish to marry me! Thank goodness, I’ve never had creepy stalkers.

Speaking of stalkers, do you have a girlfriend or is there someone that you are eyeing?

Do I really have to answer this? Yes, I do. But I won’t mention her name.

What’s one thing that we don’t know about you?

I’m awfully shy. For so long I had low self-esteem issues and it’s just recently that I started overcoming it. During my first performances, I would get so nervous from morning till the time I’ll go to stage and perform.

Have you ever had a time when you ran out of words or jokes on stage?

Yeah. That was during the Laugh Festival last year. I went on stage and everything disappeared from my head. I hanged for a couple of seconds and said to the crowd “nimehang sina words” and I left the stage. They thought it was an exit strategy!

How do you juggle your studies and your jobs?

I recently got a manager. It’s very tricky and I was so poor at keeping up with everything so I had to get someone to help me out. Currently I have taken a break from school but I plan to resume my studies in January.

Given that your schedule is so busy, what do you do to unwind?

I watch movies or play pool. I go out partying and socialising.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years

I hope to be married with one kid. I want to follow my dad’s footsteps. I hope to launch a media enterprise, probably have my own show and also do a lot charity wise. I have a heart for orphans.

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