Today we’d like to introduce you to Chinedu Ogu.
Hi Chinedu, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved comedy; even before I started doing stand up. Ever since I was a kid, comedy was always my safe place. Watching shows like ComicView really inspired me as a teenager to start doing stand up comedy. My very first time on stage was at my high school talent show in 2004. I was 16 and I hosted the show; I wanted to be the host and not just a comedian on the show because I would not only be able to tell jokes throughout the show but I now had a chance to really add my comedy to the theme of the entire show. Ironically, I made an intro video where my character ( the host) couldn’t get into the show. I’m certain if I watched it now, I would cringe, but at the time I thought it was a brilliant way to open a show lol. My performance went well and after that show, I was hooked on stand up comedy. My goal was after I graduated high school, I was going to go to school part time and focus on becoming a stand up comedian. I also wanted to continue to make skits; there was a new platform emerging at the time called My Space, and I wanted to try my hand at putting my own skits on there, but my dad ( who is very much Nigerian) found out about my plans and pretty much scared my out of my dream but reminding me how difficult it is to make it in entertainment, and how college is more important. So, I gave in, put the comedy dream down and went to college. I didn’t hate my college experience, but every day I was in school, I always thought about stand up comedy. After college in 2012, I was laid off, and at that point, I made the decision to follow my dream. I started making videos every week and doing stand up comedy. 5 years and 900 videos later, I finally got my first viral hit video “I’m From Houston”, which hit over 1 million views in 24 hours. From there I made more videos while also promoting my live stand up comedy shows. My first headline show at the Houston Improv sold out, along with all the shows on my 43 city tour, and the rest is beautiful H-town history, lol.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
NO!!!! Not at all. It took a long time to get here. Some of the struggles were definitely consistently making videos that were only getting 50 views at best, signing up for open mics and getting bumped, driving to comedy shows to empty rooms, and getting no pay. I made the decision to be a full time comedian in 2012, but I didn’t see any level of success in comedy until 2017. So for 5 years, I made videos that nobody watched and live shows nobody attended, but I had to stay motivated and consistent if I really wanted this.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Stand up comedy is my first love, but I also make content such as skits, short films, etc. I’m mostly known for my viral videos about Houston and Texas comedy, my African Dad comedy series, and of course my stand up comedy. I’m most proud of being able to do what I love, and to take care of my family. What sets me apart from others is my work ethic. I wake up everyday at 4am, so you will NOT outwork me, lol.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Hosting my high school talent show.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chineduogu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chineduogu/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?viewas=100000686899395&id=100044200130811
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChineduOgu
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo56LeKx88Hlqj8XHreww1w
