He’s got the swag. He’s got the skills. He’s got the story. He’s a stunner. Yet, from a humble beginning, Ayo Makun, aka AY, grew to become one of the leading figures in showbiz. Vanessa Obioha writesAyo Makun likes smiling to the bank and he is unapologetic about it. Every decision made, naira invested is driven by that sole desire to repeat that happy trip to the bank.
His enduring relevance in the entertainment industry is a testament to his hard work and a keen eye for business. He’s carefully scripted his career in such a way that his brand equity keeps opening doors of opportunities for him.In comedy, AY belongs to the realm of comedians who have built an empire from comedy. Think of Yibo Koko, Ali Baba, Okey Bakassi, and Gbenga Adeyinka.
His enduring relevance in the entertainment industry is a testament to his hard work and a keen eye for business. He’s carefully scripted his career in such a way that his brand equity keeps opening doors of opportunities for him.In comedy, AY belongs to the realm of comedians who have built an empire from comedy. Think of Yibo Koko, Ali Baba, Okey Bakassi, and Gbenga Adeyinka.
In the movie world, he is an accomplished filmmaker. His first film ‘30 Days in Atlanta’ was a roaring success, earning the status as the highest-grossing film in Nigeria cinema in 2015 despite the mixed reviews it got. Since that breakout film, his subsequent films are boxed into the comedy genre.“The concept of cinema in Nigeria, for now, is a jolly place. A place where couples, lovers can visit and have exciting moments. The kind of passion that they can go home with and relish.
“It’s wrong to compare Nollywood to Hollywood. You cannot give what you don’t have. It beats my imagination when people compare Nollywood films to Hollywood flicks knowing fully well that a Hollywood film can take the entire budget of Lagos state, so comparing it to an individual effort is unfair,” he points out.