SPOTLIGHT: Ms Pepo, the ‘mystery box’ skit maker who got Don Jazzy’s attention

After dishing out impressive content on social media for several years, Ms Pepo, born Olatunde Onaopemipo, was experiencing a creative block on one fateful day. To overcome the familiar creative encumbrance, she laid back on her couch, pulled out her phone and travelled down to the inundating world of Tiktok.

After a few scrolls through contents on the social networking service, she came across a box game that transformed her skit-making career. With a bit of tweaking and branding, the ‘mystery box’ has become her mainstay — and has helped her to meet the likes of Don Jazzy, Falz, Blaqbonez, and several others.

Speaking with TheCable Lifestyle, the multi-talented actress and graduate of quantity surveying from the University of Lagos, said although she’s blessed with several skills, her long term goal is to become a force in Nollywood.

Ms Pepo said breaking into the film industry has gone beyond auditioning for roles, hence the need to wear multiple caps before the arrival of the crown.

“My focus is on acting and breaking into Nollywood. But it works in a mysterious way, where you have to wear some particular acts before you wear the crown,” she said.

“Entering the industry, for now, is beyond audition. What I decided to do is go through some certain route that might seem faster. For example, doing skits and being popular on Instagram gives you an edge in the industry. So, I have to produce several contents in multiple ways to be able to narrow my ambition.”

HOW SHE MET DON JAZZY

Apart from always exuding contagious liveliness, Ms Pepo is a determined young lady who, in her quest to achieve a cause, would not mind going the long route as far as it leads to the planned destination.

She had tried but failed severally to reach Don Jazzy, the record producer and founder of Mavin Records. After several unsuccessful attempts, she reached out to a close friend who introduced her to the music mogul. 

On meeting Jazzy, Ms Pepo didn’t only play the ‘mystery box’ game with him, she had the opportunity to joke around and get him to wear a woman’s hair.

“So, I messaged Don Jazzy so many times but I never got a response. Then I reached out to one of my friends who I know was very close to him,” she said.

“I saw Don Jazzy on her [Instagram] Stories and I randomly messaged her and said I have to do a video with Don Jazzy. She put in a word for me and I messaged him again, I think he followed me, so he was already aware. He then put me through to his PA and the rest is history.”

‘TAKING HINTS’ FROM ABUDU

With some hesitation, Ms Pepo revealed that she had always looked up to Mo Abudu, media mogul and chief executive officer (CEO) of EbonyLife Media, but recently, she is in a state of mind that differs slightly.

“I used to say Mo Abudu because she is a force to be reckoned with in the media. You can’t talk about media and entertainment without mentioning her name. I have always felt like I want to be like her,” Ms Pepo told TheCable Lifestyle.

“But then I realised that Mo Abudu might have walked certain paths that I do not want to walk or I don’t have the strength to. And she may not have walked certain paths that I want to walk.

“As of now, I still take hints from her but right now, I’m tailoring my life to how I think it should go. I’m putting in the work so that I can determine how my life story turns out.”

MONETISING SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT

The inception of new media platforms like Tiktok, Instagram, YouTube has afforded talents the monetary leverage on their contents. Before this, many had suffered from managers, agents, labels and institutions who would hold creatives in ransom while they milk them of creativity.

Speaking on this, the acting student at the EbonyLife Creative Academy said she has been able to land gigs through Instagram even as YouTube and Facebook have proved to be lucrative platforms for her.

“I monetise on Instagram through influencing gigs. Brand managers reach out to me to advertise for their brands. On Facebook and YouTube, I make money as I upload,” she said.

DEALING WITH DOWNTIME

Ambition can give meaning to life, it can also be a source of depression and sadness for many. 

Speaking on how she takes on challenges and manages downtime, the 26-year-old entertainer said it’s been a difficult stride because she constantly feels the need to attain a higher pedestal.

“Whenever I feel I’m not doing enough or not going at the pace that I should go. It messes me up a whole lot,” she said.

“I feel like there are higher strides that I’m supposed to attain that I’m yet to attain. So whenever I put myself in that state of mind, with my own metrics, I get down.”

You can reach Ms Pepo through her Instagram page