Tanzanian stage comedian Joseph Job, better known as JJ Ephraim, says there are too few live shows. He told Mwananchi this is the biggest problem in his work right now. "These days shows have become few, so leaders should look at how to bring back the system as it was before," he said, according to the Tanzanian outlet.
Ephraim performs with the comedy group Cheka Tu. He started his career in 2024, after the group launched a search for comedy talent. He said joining Cheka Tu made him known to the public and earned him respect in the community. It also brought him advertising deals that let him use his fame in other business ventures.
He said some fans have grown so close that he treats them like family. Asked whether stage comedy pays the bills, he said it depends on the artist. Some live on their art alone, while others rely on extra deals. Even if the stage pays enough, he said, taking other opportunities when they come is no bad thing.
Ephraim also spoke about the hard side of the job. The worst moment, he said, comes after preparing well for a show, only to face an audience that does not laugh. He admitted that low income and a cold reception have sometimes made him think about quitting.
He does not see social media as a threat to live comedy. Cheka Tu performs live, he said, and that feels different from content watched on a phone. In his view, the online world adds flavour to live shows rather than replacing them.
Off stage, Ephraim said he sees himself as an ordinary person with limits. "Every artist is a human being, but not every human being is an artist," he told Mwananchi. Despite the challenges, he said he still hopes to reach his goals and wants fans to see him in bigger stage projects.