Chipukeezy urges artists to focus on building their brand
Chipukeezy has advised comedians in Kenya to concentrate on nurturing their talents and building their brand.
The popular comedian, real name Vincent Mwasia, spoke in an exclusive interview with Nairobi News.
He noted that many artists are famous but broke owing to a lack of strategy on how to maximize their talents.
“The artist should figure out how to use the industry to benefit from the brand,” he explained.
“The entertains people whereas the industry sells to the people. The artist has access to the people while the industry does not.”
Chipukeezey, who made his name for his rib-cracking jokes on Churchill Show comedy concerts, noted that comedians appear to get carried away by corporate deals and stop working hard to improve on their brand.
“The artist has free access to the fans. The industry wants access to these fans so they use the artists. There’s this bubble of they just want to sell the talent. When a corporate acquires my talent to help them sell and then I use my talent to sell I stop becoming the talent and become a salesman.”
He added; “Many corporates take advantage of artists as they encourage those who have a gift to sell it rather than nurture it, and I have been a victim. You stop entertaining and you start selling.”
The comedian also claimed that artists are associated with big brands which has become the epicenter of entertainment. He further stated that this has left many artists chasing after endorsements rather than building on their talent.
“Nowadays people measure the success of artists with the people and companies they are working with. So and so has been signed by this big company to advertise this big product or service. I have seen myself on billboards, and those are just benefits of having a gift,”
He further argues that no amount of money can equal the level of talent artists have despite the measure that society has placed on talents.