Real name: Benson Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng
Age: Undisclosed for security reasons
Occupation: Comedian

Some of you may know him as “SWAGGON PAPA” others as CHEMU” from Ghana’s very popular hit series Chorkor Tro-tro but when it comes to comedy and great laughs, one name definitely springs to mind and that is Funny face, Ghana’s very own multi talented comedian turned actor turned musician. Benson NanaYaw Oduro Boateng, popularly know as Funny face  is definitely doing all of the right things at the right times and definitely getting noticed for it. You may have seen his videos on YouTube or even been to his shows. He’s been steadily climbing the comedy ladder, doing stand up and stage work both in London and Ghana – his country of birth.  He hails from Kwahu Abetifi, but was born and bred in Jamestown (British Accra). His breakthrough came when he was offered his first and biggest comedy platform, the Night of 1010 Laughs Series and all other subsequent editions. In April 2011, he teamed up with ace Ghanaian hip-life artist Castro to produce the song, ” Sweet Banana” which instantly shot to number 1.  To commemorate Ghana’s 55th Independence day celebration, Funny face alongside many Ghanaian artists travelled to the UK to take part in this celebration.  .Ghana Magazine were more than pleased to catch a 30 minutes interview with him. That’s 30 minutes of never-ending fun, laughter and great humour.

‘Comedy they say is talent which can never learnt or bought and what I experienced from Funny face was the perfect evidence of this. Natural unaltered talent from within and the grace at which he delivers is just overwhelming’.

.Ghana Magazine (GM): So what’s your story? Why comedy? What led you in to it? 

Funny Face (FF): Hunger!!! When hunger strikes, you’ll know what to do with your life to stay strong. I grew up in a very poor background and it’s only by God’s grace and my mother’s love that I’ve been able to reach this far. God picked me from nowhere and has now placed me somewhere.

 

GM: How are you finding it In London so far, have you met and made new friends?

FF:  I thank God for the opportunity to be here. I am having an absolute brilliant time. I have had the opportunity to meet many prominent people and at the moment I’m working with fellow comedian Eddie Kadi on a new song “They Doubted ” which is already out.

You’ve been dubbed the King of Azonto, is this right?

FF: No I’m not the Azonto king, I’m part of the azonto crew. Gasmilla is a better azonto dancer.

*

 

GM: Do you test your comedy materials before a show? Or does it just come to you whilst on stage?

FF: No, I don’t test any of my jokes before a show. Before I start any event, I pray and ask God to take control and use me to the best of my ability. It’s very spontaneous the way my jokes come to me because they are never planned. When I had to perform at the Night of 101 Laughs for instance, I had nothing prepared but soon as I got on that stage, something came to me. It’s all by the grace of God, fooling is not easy.

GM: Apart from Comedy, do you have any other hidden talents?  You are in TV3’s hit series ‘Chorkor Trotro’. Would you say acting is part of your talents or are you just a natural?

FF: Oh me, I’m a natural… I do a bit of acting as you stated and also sing. I have a very sweet voice.  I  featured with castro on his hit song ‘Sweet Banana’…Very soon I will drop my own single ‘Aponkye Pumɛɛ’ – soon to be released this year.

 

GM: In terms of comedy, who is your inspiration and who are some of the comedians you look up to?

FF: God is my inspiration as well as my mother. When it comes to real comedy, I look up to the likes of Eddie Kadie, KSM, Basket Mouth, Katt Williams, Dave Chapelle, Tyler Perry, Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, Eddie Griffin, just to mention a few.

GM: We heard about your  “Funny Face School to School” ground-breaking tour. What was all that about?

FF: How did you know about that?

GM: Well it wasn’t meant to be a secret was it Mr Funny Face?

FF:  No no not at all. The tour was geared towards creating awareness of the importance of environmental sanitation amongst the country’s youth. Coming from a not so clean environment, I understand the importance of sanitation and how hard it is to educate people; especially the youth and young ones about it. But then I also realised that when somebody likes you or see you as an icon, they tend to listen to every piece of advice you give them so with the help of Zoom Lion Ghana Limited, I visited over 120 various basic and secondary schools in Ghana educating them on sanitation and cleanliness.

GM: As a pretty successful member of the new wave of young comedians, where do you see comedy heading in the next decade and what advice will you give to any youngster wanting to join the comedy circuit?

FF: Comedy must come from within. You need to feel it from within you. It’s a lifestyle but you gotta be cautious about the issue you choose to work with. I for one, I don’t perform political jokes as these are sensitive subjects especially when you live in a country like Ghana. You don’t want to mess with Ghanaian politics. If someone is a comedian, it’s obvious they are funny, the moment you encounter them, you just have to laugh. That’s comedy for you. If you feel the urge to become a comedian, pray about it and then pursue it because in a couple of years to come, Ghanaian comedy will be a first class act. There is a lot of talent out there that have not yet been discovered. Don’t let negativity bring you down.

GM: So are you married?

FF: Eiiiii… madam daabi’ooo [No Madam]. I was in a relationship but it got complicated on Facebook hahaha. No I am single and waiting on my miracle from God.

GM: Well Nana thank you for finding time in your busy schedule to accommodate us. You’re a delight to be around with. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Any last words for our readers?

FF: Thank you for having me. All I want to say is ‘Stay blessed and be true to who you are’.


Following his return from the UK with his new London Acquired British accent and Badman Swag, Funny Face graced the red carpets of the 2012 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards held on Saturday. He donned a so-called designer Tux by Giorgio Armani and Shoes by Blackberry. We’re wondering if it’s the bold or the curve. He is set to receive the 2011 Ghana Movie Awards Founder’s Merit award this year.

  …fooling is not easy.