On February 22, 2021, South African comedian, Loyiso Gola, made his debut GQ South Africa magazine March / April cover which is currently available at all newsstands and on digital stores. In a conversation with the South African magazine, the comedian revealed that, his comedy special “Unlearning” will have a global premiere on Netflix on March 23, 2021.

Becoming the first African comedian to have a full solo show on the streaming platform, Gola serves up filter-free humor as he riffs about race, identity, politics, and a school prank gone embarrassingly wrong in what is described as the first African Stand Up Original content of the year by the American over-the-top content platform and production company headquartered in California.

However, it is not his first appearance on Netflix. In 2019, he was part of the comedians to the World special. In 2017, Gola debuted his now critically acclaimed one-hour special, “Unlearning” in Edinburgh, then later at London’s Soho Theatre and the Melbourne Comedy Special. Now, Gola is bringing “Unlearning” to his hometown, Cape Town, filmed at the famed Zeits Mocca, which will debut on Netflix globally.

Unlearning made its debut in 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland, before embarking on a worldwide tour.

“The special communicates grand ideas, which is what art is: an artist uses a framework or method to express an idea. When you read about artwork you get to understand that. So, the special first into that. I’m trying to communicate ideas with which I’ve grappled. I consider ‘Unlearning’ as a special piece of art.”

“I’ve been doing stand-up for 20 years since I was 17 years old. I’ve always maintained I have to be honest with myself. I don’t talk about what I think will be funny; I talk about what I find funny. I have peculiar ideas when it comes to my comedy. Then, I think about how I can make it accessible to an ordinary human being, I communicate the crazy idea of unlearning but everyone gets it.”

Gola TOLD THE MAGAZINE

GQ South Africa‘s March/April 2021 issue is on sale now. Head over to GQ South Africa’s website for more information about the issue.

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See trailer below;

Nigerian comedians are calling on stakeholders and organizers to invest and setup an award-scheme that will genuinly recognize the effort of entertainers whose act are designed to make an audience laugh. It is believed that, one of the major drives of Nigerian music industry are the awards. If rewards are attached to the quality of our comedy, a lot will change.

In a simaulteneous tweet shared via Twitter, Instagram Comic Actor and Brand Influencer, Sydney ‘Egere’ Talker said, “Comedy needs a well recognized award show.” Nasty Blaq also wrote, “The same energy we are giving to music in this country let’s give it to comedy too ….”

These young talents have defined how instrumental comedians are to the success story of the art/entertainment. Much so that most of them have used their talents to bring smiles to the faces of millions of Nigerians and added their voices the social issues. As a result of this, these comedians have crossed over from making hilarious skits on the internet to the real stage. They also crontibute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Issa Rae will write the pilot and executive produce an eight-episode comedy series under her Hoorae production banner, after she landed an order at HBO Max for the half-hour comedy “Rap Sh*t.” The project was first announced as being in development in October 2019. It follows two estranged high school friends from Miami who reunite to form a rap group.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the news comes just after HBO announced that the upcoming fifth season of Insecure would be its last. Rae earned a best comedy series Emmy nomination for its most recent season. She’s also an exec producer of two other HBO projects: A Black Lady Sketch Show and the documentary Seen & Heard, about the history of Black representation on television. In addition, Rae is developing a TV adaptation of the podcast Nice White Parents with Adam McKay and a show about backyard wrestling with Dwayne Johnson.

With casting currently underway for a production start this summer, The Variety revealed that, the news keeps Rae in business with WarnerMedia. It was announced around a month ago that her critically-acclaimed, hit HBO comedy series, “Insecure,” would end with its upcoming fifth season. Season 5 is set to debut sometime later this year.

“Insecure” has received widespread critical acclaim across its four seasons, with the series averaging a 95% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It has also received a host of award wins and nominations throughout its run. That includes an Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations for Rae in the lead actress in a comedy category. She is repped by UTA, 3 Arts, and Hansen Jacobson. Singleton is repped by UTA.

American actor and comedian, Kevin Hart, is set to play Roland, a skilled ex-soldier-turned-mercenary, in what will be a more serious acting turn for the star, who is known worldwide for his comedy chops. In a recent video shared on Instagram, Hart is seen taking some lessons on firearm usage at the shooting range ahead of the film. The actor will be joining Cate Blanchett in the cast of Lionsgate film “Borderlands,” a movie adaptation of the popular video game.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Kevin,” said Roth. “‘Borderlands’ is a different kind of role for him, and we are excited to thrill audiences with a side of Kevin they’ve never seen before. He’s going to be an amazing Roland.”

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group President Nathan Kahane adds, “Kevin has been behind some of the world’s biggest blockbusters, and our source material is inspired by one of the world’s best-selling video games. We love the way our filmmaking team has adapted this story and we couldn’t be in better creative hands.”

Though plot details have been kept under wraps, Variety reports that “Borderlands” is based on the role-playing shooter game that launched in 2009. The game, which has spawned several sequels, takes place on the planet of Pandora. Craig Mazin, who created the acclaimed HBO miniseries “Chernobyl,” wrote the latest draft of the screenplay.

Hart recently wrapped production on Sony’s action comedy “The Man From Toronto,” which also stars Woody Harrelson and Kaley Cuoco. Earlier in 2020, he filmed a drama titled “Fatherhood.” A certified box office draw, Hart’s recent big-screen credits include “Jumanji: The Next Level,” “The Secret Life of Pets 2,” “The Upside” and “Night School.” His movies, including “Ride Along” and “Central Intelligence,” have generated more than $4 billion combined in global ticket sales.