{{short description|Nigerian stand-up comedian and singer|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Kenny Blaq | birth_name = Otolorin Kehinde Peter | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|September 30, 1992}} | years_active = 2008–present | website = {{URL|kennyblaq.com}} | education = Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Training School, Ikeja, Lagos }}
'''Otolorin Kehinde Peter''', performing as '''Kenny Blaq''', is a Nigerian stand-up comedian and singer.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://punchng.com/finding-true-love-is-really-tough-as-a-star-kenny-blaq/|title=Finding true love is really tough as a star –Kenny Blaq|last=Olonilua|first=Ademola|date=6 January 2018|accessdate=1 January 2019|newspaper=The Punch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-30 |title=Choosing between music, comedy was hard – Kenny Blaq |url=https://punchng.com/choosing-between-music-comedy-was-hard-kenny-blaq/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-14 |title=Nigerian comedians can sell out 02 arena - Kenny Blaq The Nation Newspaper |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/nigerian-comedians-can-sell-out-02-arena-kenny-blaq/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-12-03 |language=en-US|newspaper=The Nation}}</ref> He performed at the 2nd edition of Unlock Naija Independence celebration<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nwafor |date=2022-10-11 |title=Kaffy, Denrele, Kenny Blaq, others grace Tobems media unlock naija |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/10/kaffy-denrele-kenny-blaq-others-grace-tobems-media-unlock-naija/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Kenny Blaq, Toyin Lawani, others headline Tobems media's Unlock Naija - Businessday NG |url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/kenny-blaq-toyin-lawani-others-headline-tobems-medias-unlock-naija/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=BusinessDay}}</ref> and Africa Magic Owambe Finale.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Online |first=Tribune |date=2020-08-01 |title=Kenny Blaq and Laolu Gbenjo to perform at Africa Magic owambe finale |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/kenny-blaq-and-laolu-gbenjo-to-perform-at-africa-magic-owambe-finale/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Early life== kenny Blaq had both primary and secondary education in Ejigbo Lagos, he had to leave SS3 for a tutorial where he had his WASSCE exam when his parents couldn't afford the school fee.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-01-31 |title=Before Stardom With... Kenny Blaq |url=https://punchng.com/before-stardom-with-kenny-blaq/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=The Punch|language=en-US}}</ref>
He trained as a compere and presenter at the FRCN training school in Lagos after having had a stint with SMA FM, a college community-based radio station.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/mancrushmonday-comedys-next-big-thing-in-nigeria-kenny-blaq/s2qb4k2|title=Comedy's next big thing in Nigeria, Kenny Blaq|date=20 August 2018|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|accessdate=1 January 2019|archive-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101193940/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/mancrushmonday-comedys-next-big-thing-in-nigeria-kenny-blaq/s2qb4k2|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-13 |title=Meet Kenny Blaq: Biography, Age, Education, Family, And Career |url=https://koko.ng/meet-kenny-blaq-biography-age-education-family-and-career/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=koko.ng |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013140714/https://koko.ng/meet-kenny-blaq-biography-age-education-family-and-career/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Career == Blaq started his comedy career in 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kennyblaq.tv/about-him/|title=About Him|accessdate=1 January 2019|archive-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101194215/https://kennyblaq.tv/about-him/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and has performed at top comedy events within and outside Nigeria like ''I laff with Mc Abbey'', ''Gbenga Adeyinka (Laffmattaz)'', ''Ali Baba's (January 1st concert) & Fina - Ali '', ''Mc Amana's (DiSpeakable Me)'', ''Cool FM Praise JAM'', ''DAREY's Love Like A Movie'', ''AY LIVE'', ''BasketMouth's (Lord of the Ribs),''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/kenny-blaq-comedian-delivers-an-incredible-night-of-comedy-in-london/ghesv2l|title=Comedian delivers an incredible night of comedy in London|date=2 October 2018|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|accessdate=1 January 2019|archive-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101193834/https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/kenny-blaq-comedian-delivers-an-incredible-night-of-comedy-in-london/ghesv2l|url-status=dead}}</ref> Africa Laughs (Uganda), SEKA Live (Rwanda) ECOFEST (Sierra Leone) and BENIN GLO LAFFTA FEST (Nigeria).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-06-25 |title=Acapella, Kenny Blaq on fire at Benin Glo Laffta Fest |url=https://t.guardian.ng/life/music/acapella-kenny-blaq-on-fire-at-benin-glo-laffta-fest/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
His self titled comedy concert ''The Oxymoron Of Kennyblaq'' won Best Comedy Show at the 2017 and 2018 Naija 102.3 FM Comedy Awards for the first two years during its three-year run.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/273052-kenny-blaq-returns-with-oxymoron-ii-comedy-show.html|title=Kenny Blaq returns with 'Oxymoron II' comedy show|first=Jayne|last=Augoye|date=20 June 2018|accessdate=1 January 2019|newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Online |first=Tribune |date=2019-06-21 |title=Music meets comedy: The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq billed for ‘Third term’ |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/music-meets-comedy-the-oxymoron-of-kenny-blaq-billed-for-third-term/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/06/21/the-oxymoron-of-kenny-blaq/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=This Day}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-06-19 |title=Kenny Blaq returns with second edition of 'Oxymoron' comedy show |url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/kenny-blaq-oxymoron-show/ |access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=TheCable|language=en-US}}</ref>
Blaq's first internationally headlined event was staged at the Indigo O2 on 30 September 2018, titled "Kenny Blaq 'State of Mind{{Single+double}}, in partnership with SMADE a UK based international show promoter, further solidified his name as one Nigeria's finest comedy export.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/kenny-blaq-state-of-mind-comedy-show|title=Kenny Blaq – 'State of Mind' Comedy Show {{!}} The O2|last=O2|first=The|website=www.theo2.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://connectnigeria.com/articles/2018/09/kenny-blaq-state-of-mind-to-hold-at-o2-arena-uk/|title='Kenny Blaq State of Mind' To Hold At O2 Arena, UK • Connect Nigeria|last=Willie|first=Akwaowo|date=2018-09-24|website=Connect Nigeria|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-12}}</ref> This aided Kenny Blaq's appearance at "Indaba X; The Laughing Leopard Comedy event", as the events headliner, which took place at Royal Festival Hall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indabax.com/events/the-laughing-leopard/|title=The Laughing Leopard|website=IndabaX|language=en-US|access-date=12 February 2020|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024032517/https://www.indabax.com/events/the-laughing-leopard/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/137451-laughing-leopard-2019|title=137451 The Laughing Leopard 2019|website=Southbank Centre|language=en|access-date=12 February 2020}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Eve-Talib-Kweli-Added-to-Africa-Utopia-at-Southbank-Centre-Lineup-20190702|title=Eve, Talib Kweli Added to Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre Lineup|last=Desk|first=TV News|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en|access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref>
Blaq was recognised in 2018 as one of the 100 most influential youths in Africa, after winning The Future Awards Africa prize for comedy in the Year 2017,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsghana.com.gh/list-of-2018-100-most-influential-young-africans/|title=List of 2018 100 Most Influential Young Africans|last=Dzokpo|first=Ike|language=en-US|access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref> and, in 2020, received the Ooni Youth Royal Award.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/sujimoto-receives-royal-award-from-ooni-of-ife/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Sujimoto receives royal award from Ooni of Ife|date=24 January 2020|newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-US|access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rapheal |date=2020-01-19 |title=Osun commissioner, Assembly Chief Whip make list of top African young leaders |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/osun-commissioner-assembly-chief-whip-make-list-of-top-african-young-leaders/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-12-03 |newspaper=The Sun|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020, Blaq and crew kicked off a nationwide tour, with their first call in the east at Federal University of Technology Owerri in Imo state, and making their way westward to Ile-Ife at the Obafemi Awolowo University Campus, the tour was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Inside OAU Innovations, a media company in Obafemi Awolowo University, reported that Blaq held a sold-out concert held at Amphitheatre, attended by over 5,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insideoau.com/2020/03/23/kenny-blaq-state-of-mind-tour/|title=KENNY BLAQ STATE OF MIND TOUR: A Total Shutdown at the Obafemi Awolowo University |date=23 March 2019|website=inside OAU Media}}</ref> The tour continued on in December to Abuja, where it ended its year run.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.humorcity.net/kenny-blaq-state-of-mind-abuja-invasion/|title=Kenny Blaq State of Mind - Abuja Invasion|date=4 December 2020|access-date=15 February 2022|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215140603/https://www.humorcity.net/kenny-blaq-state-of-mind-abuja-invasion/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Blaq made a 12-city tour of the United Kingdom in 2021, after the lockdown, with another promoter Akinlolu Jenkins.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/10/12/kenny-blaq-hails-akinlolu-jekins-others-for-the-success-of-his-uk-tour/|title=Kenny Blaq Hails Akinlolu Jekins, Others for the Success of His UK Tour|date=11 October 2021|newspaper=This Day}}</ref>
On November 17, 2021, a comedy special shot by Blaq in Lagos debuted on Netflix, making him the first home based comedian out of West Africa to get his production fully licensed{{Clarify|reason=Netflix doesn't "license" programs. What is meant by this?|date=February 2022}} by the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/kenny-blaqs-first-comedy-special-to-hit-netflix-november-17/tkdrph9|title=Kenny Blaq's first comedy special to hit Netflix November 17|date=5 November 2021|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-11-06|title=Kenny Blaq blazes the trail with first Netflix comedy show|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/11/kenny-blaq-blazes-the-trail-with-first-netflix-comedy-show/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-02-18|newspaper=Vanguard|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/495470-first-ever-nigerian-music-comedy-set-to-debut-on-netflix.html|title=First-ever Nigerian music-comedy set to debut on Netflix|date=15 November 2021|newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref>
==Awards== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Awards !! Categories |- | 2015 || Naija FM Comedy Awards<ref name="theheatnigeria.com">{{cite web|url=http://theheatnigeria.com/13287-2/|title=Kenny Blaq Signed As Tromville's Brand Ambassador|date=19 February 2018|accessdate=1 January 2019|archive-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101194019/http://theheatnigeria.com/13287-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> || Upcoming Comedian of the Year |- | rowspan="2"| 2016 | MEAMA Awards<ref name="theheatnigeria.com"/> ||Best Comedy Act, Nigeria |- | Naija FM Comedy Awards<ref name="auto"/> || Best Comedian of The Year |- | rowspan="2" | 2017 | The Future Awards Africa<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/life/whatsnew/the-future-awards-africa-2017-full-list-of-winners/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=The Future Awards Africa 2017: Full List Of Winners|date=10 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2019|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thefutureafrica.com/awards/past-winners/tfaa-2017-winners-list/|title=TFAA 2017 Winners List}}</ref> || Comedy |- | Naija FM Comedy Awards<ref name="auto"/> || Best Comedy Show Comedian of The Year |- | rowspan="3" | 2018 | rowspan="3" | Naija FM Comedy Awards<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/sola-sobowale-kenny-blaq-other-win-big-at-naija-fm-comedy-awards/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Sola Sobowale, Kenny Blaq, other win big at Naija FM Comedy Awards|date=10 November 2018|accessdate=1 January 2019|newspaper=The Nation}}</ref>|| Comedian of the Year |- | Best Comedy Show |- | Most Fashionable Comedian |- | rowspan="2" |2019 |Naija FM Comedy Awards |Most Fashionable Comedian |- |MAYA Awards |Comedian of The Year (Stand Up) |- | rowspan="2" |2021 |Humor Awards |Best Music Comedian |- |}
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==References== {{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://kennyblaq.com }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blaq, Kenny}} Category:Living people Category:1994 births Category:Nigerian male comedians Category:Nigerian television personalities Category:People from Lagos Category:Nigerian twins Category:Opposite-sex twins Category:Nigerian stand-up comedians