Hussein Mubarak Kehinde, popularly known as Ozain, a rising figure in Nigeria’s content creation, has made a bold statement that language poses no restriction to his success.
Ozain, who produces his comic content mainly in his native language, Yoruba, accepts that his choice to adopt his local language has made him unique in the entertainment industry, where English often dominates.
According to The Nation Newspaper, Ozain shared his views on the use of indigenous languages in content creation, expressing confidence in his decision to stick to Yoruba for his skits. He explained that his choice was never steered by anxiety or worry about its reception, but rather by a natural tendency to stay true to his roots.
“I was never scared to make skits in the Yoruba language. It didn’t start as a profession. I started off like I was playing. I just played into it, and it happened like that,” Ozain said, recalling his early days in content creation. He noted that he initially approached content creation without the pressure of making it a career but instead focused on having fun with the craft.
Ozain’s use of Yoruba has clearly added an extraordinary taste to his skits, making them stand out in a sea of English-language content. Despite the global reach and influence of English in the entertainment world, Ozain believes that his local language resounds deeply with his audience, both in Nigeria and abroad. According to him, humor, emotions, and cultural references often transcend language barriers, allowing people to connect with the content even if they don’t fully understand the language being spoken.
“I am still not scared about using Yoruba in my content. I believe the language adds a unique flavor to my skits and resonates well with my audience, both locally and internationally. People can relate to the humor, emotions, and cultural references, whether they fully understand the language or not,” he remarked.
Ozain’s belief in using Yoruba demonstrates his loyalty to showcasing Nigerian culture and traditions through his work. By embracing his native language, he has been able to create a space for content that is original and reflective of his heritage. His success also emphasizes the growing acceptance and appreciation of indigenous languages in modern media, challenging the notion that English is the only path to global recognition.
Reflecting on his collaborations with fellow content creator, Kamo State, Ozain shared insights into their partnership. He noted that they both had a natural chemistry when it came to creating content and effortlessly flowed together in their performances. However, Ozain made it clear that while they collaborated successfully, their partnership was never intended to be permanent.
“We met and went our different ways when the time came,” Ozain said, explaining that their collaboration was a phase in their individual careers. “I started off alone, and he also started alone, so we merged and parted ways when it was time. There was never a fight. We didn’t start together, so we are not expected to end together. We are not twins.”
Ozain’s journey serves asa motivation to many content creators who might feel restrained by language barrier or pressured to conform to the mainstream. His story is a testament to the power of authenticity and staying true to one’s roots, demonstrating that success in the entertainment industry doesn’t require sacrificing one’s identity or language. Instead, it highlights the importance of embracing diversity in content creation, and how doing so can open doors to a wider, more appreciative audience.