Comedian and skit maker Josh Alfred, popularly known as Josh2Funny, has responded to the growing debate over ‘brain-rot’ content and semi-literate influencers in Nigeria.
The conversation was sparked by rapper YCee, who described the trend as the ‘Olodo Uprising’.
In a recent interview with media personality Nedu Wazobia, Josh2Funny said the so-called uprising is both a blessing and a curse.
He criticised critics for being too harsh on the new wave of creators, arguing that comedy was never intended to be intellectual.
‘What YCee said is straight-up the truth. There’s an uprising of the Olodo people. Now, it’s a blessing and a curse,’ he said.
‘When I started, it was easy for people to call me part of the Olodo Uprising. My character, ‘Mama Felicia’, didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t well-articulated comedy. I was just fooling around.’
Josh2Funny added that the elite’s dismissal of such content overlooks its impact.
‘Comedy has never been something that is supposed to be intelligent. The so-called elite might call it ‘stupid’, but it built a million-dollar industry called Nollywood,’ he said.
The comedian also blamed social media for amplifying the trend.
He cited streamer Peller as an example, saying he would have remained unknown without online platforms.
‘It’s just that social media has now exaggerated it. The person in question, Peller, you see him all the time. If it were when there was no social media, nobody would know what he does.
‘So, it is easy for trolls to come for him because his life is in public. Also, some people are envious of him for being blessed without a degree or quality education.’
He concluded, ‘But what would you have him do? Should he become a thief because he doesn’t know how to speak good English?’