Eman Kellam

{{Short description|Nigerian-British Media Personality (born 1997)}} {{Use British English|date=February 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox social media personality | name = Eman Kellam | image = YT1D0492 - Eman Kellam.jpg | alt = | caption = Olaniyan in 2020 | birth_name = Emmanuel Kellam Olaniyan | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1997|11|27}} | birth_place = South London, London, England | education = BRIT School | death_date =  | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = {{hlist|Presenter|Journalist|}} | years_active = 2012–present | known_for = | notable_works = | youtube_id = UC9KE8OxJEccxen57RJ3rLQg | youtube_display_name = EmanKellam

| youtube_years_active = | youtube_genre = | youtube_subscribers = 127 thousand | youtube_views = 16 million | stats_update = 8 August 2025 }}

'''Emmanuel Kellam Olaniyan''' (born 27 November 1997) is a Nigerian-British media personality better known as '''Eman Kellam'''. He is best known for his presenting work and his webshows '''British Slang With Eman Kellam''' & '''Eman Kellam & Friends'''.

==Personal life==

Olaniyan was born and raised in South London, to parents of Nigerian origin. He attended Forest Hill School,<ref>{{cite web |last=Chandler |first=Mark |date=October 18, 2013 |title=Forest Hill's Emmanuel Olaniyan, 15, becomes Young Mayor of Lewisham |url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10748979.Forest_Hill_s_Emmanuel_Olaniyan__15__becomes_Young_Mayor_of_Lewisham/ |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=News Shopper}}</ref> and then The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology where he studied Broadcasting and Digital Communications.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/inside-brit-school-croydon-s-fame-academy/story-23233159-detail/story.html |title=Inside The BRIT School, Croydon's very own fame academy {{!}} Croydon Advertiser |website=www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023213314/http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Inside-BRIT-School-Croydon-s-fame-academy/story-23233159-detail/story.html |archive-date=23 October 2014}}</ref> == Youth politics & engagement== In October 2013, Olaniyan was elected as the Young Mayor for the London Borough of Lewisham, representing young people across the borough.<ref name="Lewisham2013Results">{{cite web |title=Young Mayor of Lewisham 2013 Election Results |url=https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s25714/Young%20Mayor.pdf |website=Lewisham Council |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref> He was elected with 2,867 first-preference votes and 1,007 second-preference votes a total of 3,867 votes the highest number ever recorded for an individual candidate in the programme’s history. <ref name="Budget2013">{{cite web |title=Young Mayor Budget 2013–2014 |url=https://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s32381/Young%20Mayor%20Budget%2013-14%20Emmanuel%20Olaniyan.pdf |website=Lewisham Council |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref>

Olaniyan’s manifesto focused on improving youth opportunities, expanding access to apprenticeships, enhancing sports facilities, promoting inclusion, and using social media to connect the council with young residents.<ref name="YoungMayorHall">{{cite web |title=Young Mayor Hall of Fame – Emmanuel Olaniyan |url=https://www.lewishamyoungmayor.com/team-4 |website=Lewisham Young Mayor |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref> During his first term, he managed a £30,000 youth budget which funded performing-arts showcases and youth-led community projects.<ref name="Budget2013" />

In 2015, Olaniyan was re-elected becoming the only person in the history of the programme to do so for a second term.<ref name="Lewisham2015Results">{{cite web |title=Young Mayor of Lewisham 2015 Election Results |url=https://lewisham.gov.uk/-/media/archive/files/imported/electionresultforyoungmayoroflewisham2015.pdf |website=Lewisham Council |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref> He secured 1,883 first-preference votes and 863 second-preference votes, giving a total of 2,746 votes. <ref name="Lewisham2015Results" />

His second term prioritised youth safety, mental health and employment opportunities. Olaniyan and his youth advisors introduced a system of small community grants that allowed youth groups to bid for funding, and he worked with local police, faith organisations and charities to deliver violence-prevention and wellbeing programmes.<ref name="EastLondonLines">{{cite news |title=New Young Mayor of Lewisham elected with record victory |url=https://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2013/10/new-young-mayor-of-lewisham-elected-with-record-victory/ |work=East London Lines |date=29 October 2013 |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref> ==Career== ===YouTube=== Olaniyan started creating content on his YouTube channel "EmansBlogs" in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/EmansBlogs|title=EmanKellam|website=YouTube|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> He created video blogs in his kitchen. In 2014 he uploaded his most viewed video, "Pranking My African Dad",<ref>{{cite AV media |date=15 February 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YQY-38ich4 |title=PRANKING MY AFRICAN DAD {{!}} @EmanKellam |publisher=EmanKellam |via=YouTube |access-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025195842/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YQY-38ich4 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> in which at 16 years old he pranked his father by telling him he had impregnated a 14-year-old girl.

This video has had over 500 million views across the internet (9 million on his YouTube channel as of April 2025) and has been discussed and shared across various platforms including WorldStarHipHop<ref>{{cite web |title=LOOOL: African Father Was Ready To Beat The Shxt Out Of His Son During This Prank! You Will H'end Up In Mcdonass |url=http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhY1fvXkwQxq5DZo4j |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=WorldStarHipHop}}</ref> and Bossip.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 February 2014 |title=African Dad Prank: Son Says He Got A 14-Yr-Old White Girl Pregnant "Aabo Wa… Oh, My Days Jesus!" [Video] |url=http://bossip.com/917280/african-dad-prank-son-says-he-got-a-14-yr-old-white-girl-pregnant-aabo-wa-oh-my-days-jesus-video/ |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=Bossip}}</ref>

Olaniyan and his father are often credited as key figures in African meme culture because their prank video has spawned several one liners that have been used in African music, comedy and films.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C-syJLbqggy/ | title=Instagram }}</ref>

===French Montana collaboration=== On 5 November 2016, French Montana released his album ''MC4'' on the Apple Music show OVO Sound Radio.<ref name="thefader.com">{{cite web |last=Richardson |first=Nikita |date=November 5, 2016 |title=French Montana Features "Pranking My African Dad" Video On MC4 |url=https://www.thefader.com/2016/11/05/french-montana-pranking-my-african-dad |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=The Fader}}</ref> The show was curated by Noah "40" Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib who founded OVO Sound radio with Drake.

Olaniyan and his father featured on the show via an intro skit on French Montana’s ''MC4'' album entitled "Check Come". The skit was taken from Olaniyan's "Pranking My African Dad" video. <ref name="thefader.com">{{cite web |last=Richardson |first=Nikita |date=November 5, 2016 |title=French Montana Features "Pranking My African Dad" Video On MC4 |url=https://www.thefader.com/2016/11/05/french-montana-pranking-my-african-dad |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=The Fader}}</ref>

=== Lifebabble, CBBC and BBC "Own It" ===

In January 2016, he appeared on the CBBC Channel on ''Lifebabble''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/lifebabble|title=Lifebabble - CBBC - BBC|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lifebabble (TV Series 2016– ) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5345948/fullcredits/ |access-date=7 October 2017 |publisher= |via=IMDb}}</ref>

In February 2018 Olaniyan appeared on the same channel as a guest presenter to promote "BBC Own It", a new online learning resource commissioned by the BBC aimed at 9-12 year olds. Covering a range of topics that would relate to children growing up in the digital age. Own It launched nationally on Tuesday 7 February 2018.<ref name=B1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/ownit|title = Own It - A place to help you boss your life online - Own It - BBC}}</ref> He then made several guest presenting appearances on the channel along with featuring in other CBBC shows.

===YouTube Black Voices=== In January 2021 YouTube announced the international list of creators of the inaugural YouTube Black Voices Class of 2021, of which Olaniyan was a UK class member.

Some members of the class of 2021 were also featured in the September 2021 issue of British Vogue in which Olaniyan was also included. Quote from British Vogue feature "As YouTube expands its diverse community, the Class of 2021 are the new figureheads in the making to follow. Prepare to watch those featured here go stratospheric".<ref>{{cite web |title=Vogue 2021 Article |url=https://pubhtml5.com/kqzn/xhsf/basic/151-200 |website=PubHTML |publisher=British Vogue}}</ref>

===British Slang With Eman Kellam Series=== Olaniyan produced the YouTube series British Slang With Eman Kellam, in which Kellam asked predominantly American actors to interpret slang commonly used by young people in the United Kingdom, often referred to as Multicultural London English (MLE). The series concluded on 24 November 2022. <ref>{{cite web | title=What is MLE? - Department of Language and Linguistic Science, University of York | url=https://www.york.ac.uk/language-linguistic-science/research/projects/mle/what-is-mle/#:~:text=MLE%20is%20a%20dialect%20of,relatively%20high%20level%20of%20immigration }}</ref>

Celebrity guests include Gabrielle Union, Denzel Washington, Childish Gambino, Regina Hall, Keke Palmer, Daniel Kaluuya and Issa Rae.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaSgmlsYiNCToEuI8QcsutavrWZoX7Ttihttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaSgmlsYiNCToEuI8QcsutavrWZoX7Tti</ref>

Olaniyan has been given praise by Vogue Business for his "authentic style" in which audiences have gravitated towards across various different platforms.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDhyvoLsEaR/ | title=Instagram }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ ''British Slang With Eman Kellam - Episode List''' |- ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Episode Number ! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Guest/s featured in Episode ! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Release Date |- |- | 1 | Unge | 1 July 2015 |- | 2 | Ben Hardy, Tye Sheridan, and Alexandra Shipp | 24 May 2016 |- | 3 | Dave Franco | 8 August 2016 |- | 4 | Nathan Zed | 24 August 2016 |- | 5 | RJ Cyler, Dacre Montgomery, and Ludi Lin | 16 March 2017 |- | 6 | Becky G and Naomi Scott | 23 March 2017 |- |- | 7 | Kaya Scodelario and Brenton Thwaites | 24 May 2017 |- |- | 8 | Demetrius Shipp Jr. | 30 June 2017 |- |- | 9 | Cara Delevingne and Dane DeHaan | 25 July 2017 |- |- | 10 | Gabrielle Union and Ajiona Alexus | 6 May 2018 |- |- | 11 | Childish Gambino and Phoebe Waller-Bridge | 19 May 2018 |- |- | 12 | Denzel Washington | 11 August 2018 |- |- | 13 | Shameik Moore | 9 December 2018 |- |- | 14 | John Cena | 13 December 2018 |- |- | 15 | Zachary Levi | 22 March 2019 |- |- | 16 | Regina Hall, Issa Rae, and Marsai Martin | 7 April 2019 |- |- | 17 | Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith | 2 February 2020 |- |- | 18 | Keke Palmer | 19 June 2022 |- |- | 19 | Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer | 8 August 2022 |- | 20 | Gabrielle Union and Jaboukie Young-White | 24 November 2022 |- |}

===Eman Kellam & Friends===

On 14 December 2024, after a 2 year hiatus, Olaniyan premiered a spinoff of his show "British Slang With Eman Kellam" on Tiktok & Instagram in which he hosts a chat with Hollywood actors & directors discussing film and culture released in short form snippets.

Episode 1 featured Aaron Pierre (actor) & Kelvin Harrison Jr. and was well received across social media.<ref>https://www.tiktok.com/@emankellam/video/7447948586286927137</ref>

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ ''Eman Kellam & Friends - Episode List''' |- ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Episode Number ! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Guest/s featured in Episode ! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Release Date |- |- | 1 | Aaron Pierre (actor) & Kelvin Harrison Jr. | 14 December 2024 |- |- | 2 | Wunmi Mosaku | 15 April 2025 |- |3 | Michael B Jordan & Miles Caton | 16 April 2025 |- | 4 | Brendan Fraser & Hikari | 25 December 2025 |- | 5 | Michael Patrick King | 27 March 2026 |- | 6 | Spike Fearn & Angourie Rice | 19 May 2026 |- | 7 | Kane Parsons | 25 May 2026 |}

==Music career== ===2021=== Olaniyan released his secret debut EP "For The Summer" on 10 June 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4zqWxiCTW2PSbZUp5Y6syW | title=For the Summer | website=Spotify }}</ref>

==Filmography== ===Film=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" |Notes |- | 2014 | ''Will You Kill Me Now?'' | Toby |Short Film |- | 2017 | ''Action Point'' | Shorts (uncredited) |Feature Film |- | 2021 | Music, Trial & Trauma: The Movie | Producer | Short Film |- | 2024 | The Sidemen Story | (Himself) Cameo Appearance | Documentary |- | 2025 | Gone Clear | Verbaliser | Short Film |- |}

===Television=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" |Notes |- | 2014 | ''Right This Minute''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rightthisminute.com/video/pregnancy-prank-pushes-dad-over-edge|title=Pregnancy Prank Pushes Dad Over the Edge|website=rightthisminute.com|date=19 February 2014|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> | Himself |1 episode |- | 2015 | ''The Xperiment'' | Himself |1 episode |- | 2016 - 2018 | ''Lifebabble'' | Himself |26 episodes |- | 2017 | '' Inglorious Pranksters'' | Himself |1 episode |- | 2018 | ''BBC "Own It"'' | Himself |Team Own It Member |- | 2018 | ''CBBC Channel'' | Himself |Guest appearances |- | 2019 | ''All Over the Place'' | Himself |Series 9 |- | 2020 | ''Monday Night Football'' | Himself |Guest Appearance |- | 2022 | ''Unapologetic with Zeze Millz & Yinka Bokinni'' | Himself |Series 2, Episode 1 |- | 2023 | ''ITVx's Tell Me Everything You Know About'' | Himself |3 Episodes |}

==Discography== ===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK |- ! scope="row"| For The Summer | * Released: 10 June 2021 * Label: Independent * Format: Streaming, digital download | - | |}

==Songwriting credits== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left;" |- ! Year || Title || Artist || Role || Album |- | rowspan="1"| 2016 ! scope="row"| "Check Come" | rowspan="1"| French Montana | Writer | rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"| ''MC4 (album)''<ref name="thefader.com"/> |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|7069477}} *{{YouTube|channel=UC9KE8OxJEccxen57RJ3rLQg}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kellam, Eman}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:Male actors from London Category:21st-century English male actors Category:English people of Nigerian descent Category:People from Lewisham Category:People educated at Forest Hill School Category:English male film actors Category:Black British male actors Category:Black British television personalities Category:YouTubers from London