•Reveals His Strategy For Success
Tunde Adewale popularly known as Tee-A is a stand-up comedian and an event compere of repute. His expertise and act of Professionalism on the job are his greatest strong point.
He is the most sought-after event host at the moment. Hardly can one attend any function without finding out that Tee-A is the compere. Without mincing words, Tee-A is the people’s favourite because of the kind of brand he represents.
He was again at his usual best when he anchored the recently concluded City People Movie Awards. City People’s Reporter FEMI FABUNMI, caught up with this amiable event host and he bares it all on matters surrounding his job. Below are excerpts of the interview.
You recently emerged the best event compere at APPOEMN Dinner/Awards how does that make you feel?
It has put a lot of demand on me to work more than before. It is also very humbling, I appreciate friends and colleagues who have been very supportive too. In this situation everybody is a winner.
You were nominated alongside Gbenga Adeyinka and others, what is the relationship between you and other event hosts?
The relationship is cordial. Before the awards I put a call through to Gbenga Adeyinka and told him that, win or loose. I will be climbing that stage.
That is exactly how we relate to each other. The award is for everybody not just Gbenga Adeyinka or Tee-A. Everyone in that category is a winner.
You started as a stand-up comedian, tell us how you ventured into event hosting?
Honestly, what most people don’t know is that, it is very easy to do stand-up comedy. Sometimes you can prepare before a show, but not the same with hosting an event.
What matters is one’s ability to be outspoken, spontaneous and the delivery rate. It took a lot of consistency, hard work and learning from greats like Bisi Olatilo, Sunny Irabor, Patrick Doyle and many more who have been doing this before us. With my comedy background I have been able to infuse comedy into hosting and that has been helping us.
At what point did you venture into stand-up comedy on the one hand and event hosting on the other?
I used to represent my University in those day when I was still a student. I represented UNILAG in debate and quiz competition. Apart from representing the school at quiz and debate I was also hosting event, back in school. I hosted Miss Moremi, Miss UNILAG and even departmental events too.
It is not something I just jumped into. It is inbuilt.
As for transiting into event hosting I knew I had it, if I could stand-up to crack jokes then I should encourage myself to host events and that is how the transition started.
You are practically the most sought-after event compere at the moment, tell us how you feel about that?
I feel very humble, I cannot take it for granted, I will say that there are many events happening every weekend. My colleagues are also working very hard. It is just co-incidental that you people have always met me at events. Let me tell you something.
We are all very busy and working together. Whenever I have about two events on same day I beckon on other colleagues to help out I can beckon on MC Abbey, Teju or any of the younger MCs to anchor. In a situation that I can’t be available. Maybe I am one of the hardworking MCs because I love to work.
Did you have your parent’s backing when you started out?
I had the backing of my mum. She only advised me not to loose focus at school and anywhere. She said don’t come and tell me this is what I want to do today and changing it tomorrow. My mum always gave me her backing, in whatever I choose to do.
You once had a TV programme, why did you rest it?
I like coming up with innovations, Tyme- out with Tee A was an interesting TV show, many more interesting shows also came on air and it got to a point one has to go on break for fans to enjoy other shows that were on air at that time.
We have rested it now, but we will be back to re-evaluate it and introduce innovations that will be relevant to what is obtainable now.
Many of your colleagues are now involved in acting, would you consider acting someday?
I used to act while I was in school but for now no, truth is it will clash with what I do now.
I cannot manage acting with event hosting. It will definitely clash.
Would you consider politics someday?
Don’t even go there. I will never consider going into politics. You can quote me on that.
Fill us in on educational and family background?
I am from the family of 5, I have a sister and a brother I am the first though. I attended BFHS Surulere that is the school former Governor of Lagos Babatunde Fashola went to, same as Bash Ali then I proceeded to University of Lagos for my tertiary education where I studied Linguistics but I did major in Yoruba language I have done many professional courses too.
If you were never an event compere and comedian, what would Tee-A be doing?
Definitely I would have become a businessman. Naturally I love doing business.
Have you ever had an embarrassing moment?
I wouldn’t say embarrassment perse the kind of job we do, we should expect some form of embarrassment.
Would you encourage any of your brothers or children to do what you do?
Sure, why not? If they choose to. I cannot stand in their way.
How do you unwind?
I sleep very well, take enough rest and watch movies.
How much time do you spend with your family, considering that your job takes you away almost every time.
I cherish every moment I have to spend with my family. I try to make out time for us to spend our holiday outside Nigeria every end of the year.
Every 26th of December I try to leave this country to enjoy my end-of-the year break with my family outside the country. I don’t say happy new year in Nigeria.
How affordable is Tee-A?
I am very affordable, I don’t discriminate. I charge based on what you can afford. And I am available to anybody, any class.
When you finally retire from this job, what would you venture into?
I will definitely face my chain of businesses. I like doing business, once my energy can no longer carry what I do now, then I will concentrate on my business.
Which of these two do you enjoy more: event hosting or stand up comedy?
Quite frankly, I enjoy both. They are like Siamese twins. You can’t do one without the other. In between event hosting you are cracking jokes I enjoy both. I can’t trade both for anything. Comedy is natural, event hosting is passion driven and nothing else.
What inspires your jokes?
Life, truth is nature gives me inspiration. The environment and people around inspire my kind of jokes at any point in time.
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
