June 14, (THEWILL) – Debo Adedayo, also known as Mr Macaroni, has revealed how the 2020 EndSARS protest helped his career as a content creator.
He spoke in a Toyin Falola Interview Series’, an eponymous initiative by a professor of History, at the University of Texas.
He was questioned by a panel led by Falola, which included Ahmed Yerima, professor and playwright; Oluwafadekemi Adagbada, film specialist and gender scholar; and Yemi Shodimu, actor, commentator and director.
The comedian said the 2020 EndSARS protest against police brutality in Nigeria offered inspiration for his work.
“The EndSARS changed a lot for me. While I had always used my theatre background, the protest strengthened me. I said, ‘look, we have gone out there. But when you are not out there, what are you doing?
“I have the platform where millions of people come and watch me. For me, it is no longer the laughter that they get from my platform. It is about what they take away when they come to Mr Macaroni’s platform.
“It is very intentional. While people laugh and relax when watching my skits, they still have this society in their consciousness in knowing what is going on.”
He also advised other creatives on the need to be flexible in line with the changing times.
“My piece of advice to fellow creatives is that they should not feel embarrassed to join the changing phase of global dynamism. You must be conscious of what you are doing and remember your roots.
“This is why I embraced social media. Although when I started, it was out of desperation. I did what came to my head. I later discovered that people were watching. I saw hundreds of thousands of viewers.
“I had to go back to the theatre which is my root. I had been taught in school that theatre should educate the society and that in as much as I wanted to be popular, I must also not forget my training as a theatre practitioner.”
