Multi-award winning spoken word poet, singer and actor Aibuedefe Osawese Ebenezer, popularly known as Eben Keys, recalled being booed off stage and embarrassed for speaking out against internet fraud during his performances.
Sharing that awkward moment in a conversation with NollyNow, the versatile artist said the event that took place a while ago was an awards show where he was one of the guest artists to wow the audience that night.
Regarding the embarrassing incident, the Edo boy said, “It was an awards ceremony and I was one of the guest artists. I performed a play speaking out against internet fraud and other social vices that my generation has become very immersed in. I didn’t realize beforehand that almost everyone in the audience was guilty of the crime and they weren’t happy that I verbally attacked them. So the hall got loud with various comments like “Who is that?”. I stopped in the middle of my performance, embarrassed and sad that I was being booed. But I haven’t changed. I still frowned on internet fraud and other social vices.”
Eben Keys, who is also a music producer, songwriter and speaker, said he started his career playing keyboards and singing in his local church choir before later developing a passion for the spoken word.
“I got into the habit of writing rap songs just before I was admitted to Edo State Polytechnic, where I did my National Diploma. Luckily I was surrounded by talented friends who influenced me a lot with their way of thinking. As I progressed musically, I also improved my rap skills. I found a way to fuse my rap verses with popular worship songs. After that, I started going from campus to campus and performing on scholarships. Gradually, I became popular on campus,” he said.
Indeed, the multi-talented artist has always had a passion for opening mental and psychological doors to allow happiness, contentment, joy and self-realization to flow through the use of his craft.
The multi-talented artist revealed how the likes of veteran spoken word poet Alex Osagie influenced his craft, saying, “He mentored me and featured me on various platforms where I’ve been invited to perform.”
Eben Keys also acknowledged the contribution of popular film director Lancelot Imasuen, who he said invests seriously in the arts and nurtures young poets through his Benin Poetry Club.
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