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Ambitious: Kojo

WITH TOO many achievements to squeeze into one sentence, it comes as no surprise that Kojo is set to raise the bar of comedy again with his up and coming show, Live N Kicking.

This time, however, audiences will get the chance to re-live all of his jokes – and not just in their heads – well after the curtains close, as the show will be recorded for DVD release.

Gearing up for the highly anticipated show, taking place at Hackney Empire – where the Hackney-born talent performed his aptly-titled one-man show The Fresh Prince of Hackney in 2007 – the popular comic and Choice FM breakfast show host chatted to here! about growing up in foster care, exhaustion and being a role model.

What is a day in the life of Kojo like?

A day in the life of Kojo starts with the breakfast show on Choice. Nine times out of ten, I'll have a meeting each day about a project I am doing. I’m currently doing things like writing films and I’ve got a cartoon on the way.

I stopped doing interviews for the last two years because I wanted to take that time to go under the radar and get all the projects sorted out. Now, I’m back doing interviews, and then maybe I'll go home to sleep or play PlayStation 3!
Of course there’s family time as well. My sisters have sons so I like to spend time with them… especially because they cook food!

You have done many things in your comedy career, from hosting shows, launching new talents and performing your one-man show The Fresh Prince of
Hackney at Hackney Empire.

Who are your business idols?

I think there is only one – and I was fortunate enough to move to the States and work with him – and that is Russell Simmons. He is very unorthodox and to him, there are no rules to becoming successful and how things work. A lot of it is literally ‘I’ve got an idea, let’s just go with it!’

Sometimes he might not be able to explain how good his idea is at the time, but he will be able to deliver how good it is. A lot of people have to go to business classes and make business plans, but sometimes if you have the gumption and guts to say 'I know this is going to work,' that’s enough. He is someone who has never written a business plan but still has million pound companies.

Don't you ever get exhausted?

You know, I asked another comedian, Kevin Hart, the same question and he said 'Bro, you can't stop, because no matter who you are and how talented you are, one day the phone stops ringing and that will be your time to rest.’ So for me, I always have to keep working, because I always have to keep progressing and try and do better than what I have done before.

I try and dabble in different stuff as well. Just because you write comedy doesn't mean you can't write a film. I would rather be rubbish at trying something than not doing anything at all.

You are definitely a role model. What advice would you give to other young people trying to do what you do?

The first thing I'd say is enjoy everything. Don't just limit yourself to one thing, because everybody has something that they are good at. I believe that there is something that everybody can do with their eyes closed. If you can wake up at 6am and just do it, that is how I tell people they will make their first million.
My advice would be focus on you and try everything, because you will always learn from any experience you have.

No doubt you’re excited that Live and Kicking is being filmed for DVD release?
Definitely. I’ve been in comedy for 11 years and this will be my first DVD! I have done TV specials; I did The Truth Hurts in 2005, and that was the first big show I did.

I grew up in foster care; I had a tough upbringing, and had all the ingredients to become what society would call a 'failure'. That show was the first time I felt I could release some of the demons that I had in me.

Now, with Live N Kicking, I’m much stronger because I took time to live rather than just staying on stage. I really want to share my experiences. I am more looking forward to this one more than any other show I’ve done before, so get your tickets – it will be jokes!

Live N Kicking will take place at Hackney Empire, Mare Street, London E8 on January 20 and 21, and will be recorded for DVD. For more information, visit www.hackneyempire.co.uk