IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The name Ereme Abraham Bankole Ebiholo, might not ring a bell but once you mention “Twyse”, Nigerian internet users can’t help but burst into laughter because of his comedy skits.
With over 1.3 million followers on Instagram, 234,000 followers on his Twitter account and thousands of others across his other social media platforms, the UK-based Nigerian is unarguably a social media celebrity.
Twyse was born on 28 July, 1982, to Babajide Ereme who hails from Edo State, and Tayelolu from Ondo state. Twyse is the only son of his parents.
He lived a short part of his early years in Germany before relocating to Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
He, however, spent most of his years in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Although he was raised by his parents, his grandmother had a big part to play in his upbringing.
While Twyse was growing up, his father passed on and his mother, being a very hard-working woman, spent most of her time working to provide for her family.
Twyse attended Obiye primary school, Port Harcourt, and later moved to St. Isabel Nursery and Primary school, Ibadan.
Afterwards, he went to Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun State, where he had his Secondary education.
After he concluded his secondary education, he continued with his tertiary education, as he studied Graphics Design and Animation at Annamalai University, in India.
Later on, he moved to study Information and Communication Technology at London Metropolitan University, London.
Based on records, Twyse was said to have liked acting, drama and anything that allowed him to be creative.
Despite his degree and educational achievements, he decided to go into something more creative, cometh the birth of “Twyse and Family”.
According to what he said himself, his first skit was produced as a result of boredom and frustration with his school works. The skit, he said, gave him a way of escaping from all boring activities, and to likewise express himself; therefore, having some fun.
In 2016, Twyse attempted suicide. He was, however, stopped from performing the act due to help from UK police, family [his mother] and people around.
CAREER
Twyse doesn’t like being regarded as a comedian, rather, as an actor. He started acting off the idea of creating a family he never had.
He said: “My Dad is so cool from the little I knew about him, he was very hardworking. So I tried to create the opposite of my Dad as the Dad on my Instagram family (Twyse Family) – who is just a lazy man, who just talks-talks-and-say shii, and my mom is more of a quiet person, and she’s a posh person, so I just tried to replicate that image but she’s not really into the extravagant lifestyle, so I just kinda mixed up everything, nothing more.”
Twyse started off his film making career with Falz impression in 2015, and after a while, he realized the “Falz impression” had been used up.
“It got to a stage whereby the whole impression I have with Falz was used up, and am like; Ok, am I gonna quit this video thing? – when the impression was done, I just had to do something to keep the video going cos I realized I was getting a bit of interaction, so we kept doing it like that and as soon as it was done, my brother, Will (WillTeg), then suggested to me like; I could start my own thing, and I was like, dude, I can’t do that.
“He convinced me to start making videos of my own and I was like; what we’re gonna do; let’s set up a family of just the mother, a son and the father, and from there, it grew and I get my inspiration from things that happened around me.
“Most times, when I’m even thinking of what to record or video to make; I just look at the people’s lives and I’ll be like; I could turn this into a 15 seconds skit or whatever. And I just make use of the situations around me.”
Twyse began ‘hugging’ major/big spotlight for his comedy skit with “My Mum slapping a pan on my maid in the kitchen” video.
He said: “I think it is “my mum slamming a pan on my maid in the kitchen”.
Aphricanape posted that video on his page and my page started getting a lot of followers from that time.
Also, Krakstv and many of my fans have been very supportive by doing the same overtime.
He is well known for his creativity, passion and consistency. What began as a result of boredom is now a source of income.
During an interview, he explained: “No, back then I just did it to kill boredom. I also found out that it was a way of escaping from being depressed.
“Once in a while, I made a fool of myself, my family and friends but some people found it weird. Their reaction only motivated me to push further and do more.”
The unique characters he created and acted is what made him unique, which is an impressive form of art that shows his video production and acting skills.
“My intention was never to be popular. As a matter of fact, I hate being the center of attraction.
“Followers or not, I will still be doing what I’m doing because my aim is to impact on my generation and the society.
“I want to encourage and enlighten my environment through my own little experience.
“Film making is my dream but as long as people find my skits entertaining, there would always be a blend of both. I’ve started making some huge investment in that independently and it promises to get bigger.
“I would say that my craft got me that far, nothing special to be honest. The fact is that quite a lot of people love what I do.
“What works to my advantage is the fact that I am very consistent with my work and I have noticed that people always look forward to seeing more of my videos.
“I guess this has contributed to the high number of followers that I have on my social media platforms,” he explained.
In 2016, the comedian said he was depressed and homeless.
He sought help from different people, but only one person came to his aid by giving him cash.
The person is a lady, although he didn’t mention her name for personal reasons.
“Today i was reflecting on my past and i remembered the year 2016. Tragedy struck. My mom was forced to retire back then, i lost the room i and my bro @willteg were renting, i had food poison, my health and sanity deteriorated, i lost contact with most of my family and lost everything except my clothes and the air i was breathing and even though i was contemplating taking my life, The Universe found its way to change that story.
“People promised heaven and earth that period (i won’t mention names), some people took advantage of the whole situation and created multiple Go Fund Me accounts to dupe my fans but all is well. My former manager (even though the guy still dey vex me 😂) put me under his roof back then while i was sorting my shit together and THIS WOMAN IN THIS PICTURE WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT OFFERED ME SOME MONEY FOR MY UPKEEP.
“Keyword : ONLY! She didn’t even preach to me. Her gift was the true and only gospel I needed back then. Sometimes when i start losing hope in humanity and trust, i just remember her. She even invited me to her church but eleshe like me, I didn’t go.
“🤦🏽♂️… My Mom is getting back on her feet, I and my bro are good now in our own separate cribs and we hope things only get better from here. I want to use this medium to say I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU MA.
“For this thing you have done in my life, may you and your entire family never know lack. Whether your enemies like it or not, you will reap the good seed you sowed in my life in multiple folds.
“I can’t thank you enough ma. I don’t want to tag you before guys go rush your page ma.
“🙏. | Shout out to all my supporters too, some girls were even crying begging me to have hope, it was then i knew that oloshi ni Twyse yi 😂
“🙌. I appreciate everyone of you but this post is about this woman, so please help me celebrate her in this moment and speak positively into her life in the comment section. Thank you all”
On 26 November, 2018, Twyse released an EP titled “THE TRASH EP”. The EP contained six (6) tracks and featured TROD, Timilehin Adejokun, Willteg, Maraji, Aphricanape & Family in it.
He wrote: “My next series of post after this will be videos, skits & film only. i’m done with the music aspect of my life. Twaz fun tho 😁.”