In the fast-paced world of entertainment, career transitions often come with their fair share of surprises. However, few shifts are as poignant as moving from the realm of comedy to gospel music, as it encapsulates a significant transformation from delivering laughter to sharing profound spiritual messages.
Such is the remarkable story of Emmanuel Edunjobi, widely known as EmmaOMG (Mr. Jelenke) — a multi-talented comedian, instrumentalist, content creator, YouTuber, event host, TV/Radio presenter, actor, and gospel artiste. Beyond performances, he also writes, arranges, and produces music.
EmmaOMG stands as a multi-faceted entertainer who has made remarkable strides in Nigeria’s creative landscape, encompassing comedy, acting, and music. He infuses his musical work with a distinctive mix of traditional hymns and contemporary flair, gaining traction across diverse audiences.
His innovative ‘Congregational Hymns Series’, a live recording that beautifully fuses traditional and modern styles, creating a refreshing worship atmosphere. This live recording infused with humour and engaging presentations, showcases EmmaOMG’s vibrant personality alongside powerful vocals that revitalise classic hymns. Meanwhile, his ‘OhEmGee Praise Sessions’ masterfully intertwines praise music with comedy, appealing to a broad spectrum of music lovers.
As the driving force behind the yearly Faaji Friday Show (The Gratitude Party), the ‘Oh Em Gee Choir,’ and the engaging ‘OhEmGee Live with Emma Oh Ma God,’ EmmaOMG has become a recognised name in entertainment, blending humour seamlessly with music.
The youngest of six siblings, EmmaOMG holds a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Covenant University. His catchy moniker, ‘Emma Oh Ma God,’ emerged from his infectious enthusiasm for performing and his frequent exclamations of “oh my God” in response to audience appreciation during his acts.
Renowned for his comic video mixes and reinvented renditions of popular melodies, he has collaborated with various artistes, hosted numerous events, and performed at high-profile concerts, solidifying his place in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
His influence across social media platforms has won him much praise from fans and peers alike. He founded ‘The Ohemgee Band,’ known for impressive performances of both traditional and contemporary praise and worship music at exclusive gatherings.
EmmaOMG’s career gained momentum on Instagram, showcasing short, relatable skits that resonate widely.
Noteworthy among his works are ‘Teletubbies in Ibadan’, a hilarious parody that illustrates his knack for merging humour with music, along with remakes of popular songs such as Davido’s Aye and ‘Chris Brown in Ojuelegba.’
Despite a successful path in comedy and acting, he places a high premium on music; this is evident in his Yoruba gospel praise medleys and engaging song parodies. His unyielding love for music blossomed in youth, where he self-taught guitar, piano, and drums to no end.
Reflecting on his trajectory, EmmaOMG stated, “Comedy provides a unique avenue for self-expression,” adding, “I am not exactly a comedian. However, I believe that for entertainers and people of influence such as comedians, it is a privilege to be in that position. It is also an opportunity for one to promote morals and good ethics to lead the younger generations in the right way, so that our values can be passed on.”
According to him, “Comedians lighten people’s hearts and inspire laughter even in challenging times. It is a very important job. There is a level of intelligence that comes with being a comedian and major parts of that are ‘emotional intelligence’ and ‘moral intelligence.”
EmmaOMG attributes his success to divine influence, stressing that God fuels the passion and energy within him. “I have gone through multiple transitions over the years. Growing up, I listened to music greats like King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, and Lagbaja, alongside Fela’s remarkable instrumentals. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for good music, and those influences reside in my subconscious, surfacing during my creative processes,” he said.
