The King is Here & You Must Bow! KOB 2: An Exclusive with The Creator, The King, The New Threat & Young Laburu

When you hear King you think Royalty, but with LABURU – the fictional Character in KING OF BOYS, it connotes everything sinister. And as KOB2 lands, the king is even more sinister. One can but admire her grit and guts though as the King takes minds yet again into the dark underworld of crime, power and passion.

We see a dingy, fogged up, musty, hidden underground lair from whence a force emerges…crowned in the glory she demanded and took by force, draped in respect mixed with fear, sitting on a throne built with the palpable weariness and awe of her enemies and friends, and in her hands a staff that draws lines that many wouldn’t dare cross. We see Laburu’s coming as a warning and a celebration – the King who is a blessing and a curse…depending on what she deems is fit unto you.

To herald the coming of King of Boys 2 we had an exclusive chat with 4 members of the stellar cast. The Creator – Kemi Adetiba, whose work is likened to none other. The King – Laburu herself: Sola Sobowale, who has embodied a character that, even though very different from her personality in real life, is one she holds dear and gives life. Then the New Threat: Nse Ikpe-Etim, who plays a character that is bound to add a question mark to Laburu’s reign, and young Laburu – Toni Tones, who started it all.

Read excerpts from our chat on the limited series, the process behind it and go into the minds of the cast as they unveil a masterpiece today that was birthed with blood & sweat, figuratively and literally.

The King is Coming…get ready!

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Creating A Masterpiece with Kemi Adetiba

We have been holding our breath for the return of Laburu and now she’s back. Is it for Revenge? A New Leaf ? More Power? What can you tell us about the return of Eniola Salami?

Ah! If I tell you all these things, then I’d be letting the cat, dog and elephant out the bag. LOL.
What I CAN say is that she’s back… And it might be for all you mentioned.

You’re known for carefully selecting your cast. It almost seems like a spiritual process. What did you consider when you were picking cast members to return and join the cast for KOB 2?

You’re spot on about the spiritual process. I have to be able to visualize the actor embodying the character. I’m not one that bothers too much about the acting experience. Many times, I take a chance on first-time actors, understanding that there might be more of a challenge in getting them to deliver, but I’m willing to take it on wholeheartedly because my spirit believes they are the ones for the role. Sometimes, when I’m writing the script, I have particular people in my head. For instance, I had Sola Sobowale, Reminisce, and iLLBLISS in mind for their individual roles even
at the time of writing. I had worked with Sola Sobowale before, I had met Illbliss a couple of times, but I hadn’t met Reminisce at all. However, my gut told me from the writing stage that they
were the ones for their individual roles.

Asides from my “third eye process” the new actor must be a perfect fit to join the KOB Family. Because we ARE a family – every actor, the crew members et al… and it’s my job to protect the
integrity and peace of everyone already in the room.

The movie returns as a limited series on Netflix – what led to that decision?

First off… I’d always said I wasn’t going to do a follow up to the original KOB. It was too much pressure to do so. I didn’t want to taint the good memories everyone had about the film by forcing
a sequel. Plus, I didn’t have an idea for it. So venturing into a follow-up sequel would have purely been money Creating A Masterpiece motivated. And I never do that. I CARE.

So I was adamant I wasn’t going to do a sequel – even with really great offers on the table. However, one day, I was chatting with my brother Remi Adetiba, who also produced the original KOB, and an
idea just…came. I remember pacing up and down the living room regurgitating a skeletal storyline, and he just sat still, trying not to move. It felt like he didn’t want to move so I wouldn’t change my mind. Then I said to myself, If I’m going to do this, I want the elbow room to tell a FULL story. The characters are just too complex to fit into a two-hour film. I needed more time to express what has happened within the last 5 years in the KOB universe. This birthed the idea of a series.

Becoming King Again with Sola Sobowale

Laburu herself! Your character is so strong and formidable. Where do you go mentally/physically to prepare yourself to bring Laburu to life?

First of all, you prepare and you throw yourself into it. (Asking for) my secret to work is as if you’re asking Coca-Cola to tell you its recipe. Will Coca-Cola tell you? I’m not going to go into details but I find myself in that character, and Kemi Adetiba understands me very well.

When I’m walking and I feel like my legs are on the ground, I’m not doing it right. But when I walk and I feel like I’m floating, my legs are not on the ground, then I know I’m doing a good job. That is when I reach that side then I know that I’m in it. But it takes a lot of work, time and emotions to get me to that. And how I get there, that is my secret.

Talk to us about the journey from KOB 1 – KOB 2! What changed for you and your character? What
stayed the same?

In KOB 1, Laburu is Laburu. Eniola Salami is Eniola Salami. There are so many things about Eniola Salami that people should know.

For Eniola Salami, yes some want to kill her, some want to help her, some can’t even know if she’s good or bad. As I’ve said earlier on, Eniola is strong. Eniola is principled. Eniola is loving. Eniola
is mean, Eniola is heartless. Eniola is good…Eniola is like Jollof rice.

Joining the Cast with Nse Ikpe-Etim

We’re sure you saw King of Boys 1 (KOB1) before coming on board. What were your thoughts on the movie, especially as you were coming on board the project?

The frenzy and excitement for KOB 1 was mind-blowing. I never got the time to watch it when it was showing in the cinemas, but the moment I was invited for an audition, I watched it to have an idea of the direction and Style. To be honest, I wish I had seen it earlier. I just wondered why anyone would be so audacious as to create a world of crime in a seeming industry that had more
light-hearted films. I “jumped” and didn’t ask why. Certainly, so I went in to audition. I definitely had no idea I’d get the role I was vying for and might I add, I only got a call back 7 months
after. Phew!

You’re joining the cast of KOB and we are excited to see you in character. What should we expect from you on screen?

Jumoke Randle, the character I portray in KOB – The Return of the King is an extremely colourful woman with many layers like an onion. What’s not to see? I only hope that between the Director
and I, we brought her to life.

Shadowing LABURU with Toni Tones

Talk to us about your character growth from KOB 1 to KOB 2?

Well for one thing, I put on weight again and cracked my voice for KOB 2 as I did for part 1 and that was no easy task for me. When I did it the first time, I didn’t know there would be a part 2, so I
never thought I’d have to do it again and I considered NOT but I felt like I had set a standard for myself with KOB 1 and I didn’t want to disappoint myself or the fans. Making the decision to take
that plunge again was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. And being able to commit to that and see it through is something I’m extremely proud of.

Also, Young Eniola speaks a lot more Yoruba in KOB 2 and not just regular Yoruba, proper ancient Yoruba, most of it in adages. My mum speaks fluid Yoruba and even she couldn’t teach it to me.
It was quite the task having to learn and deliver my lines convincingly. There were days I thought I wouldn’t be able to deliver, sometimes I would get so frustrated and stressed out, I’d break down and cry.

But we had Dele Adetiba, Kemi’s dad, as our Yoruba coach and he was so amazing, kind and patient with tutoring me. I also had a lot of help from some of the crew on set who spoke fluent Yoruba. It really did take a village to teach me lol.

Also, Young Eniola carries a lot more rage in KOB 2 and it was quite challenging having to embody that the whole shoot, but we shot during ‘End SARS’ – a time when the Nigerian youth were quite angry. Thankfully I was able to channel my anger towards my character.

Young Eniola In KOB 2 was definitely the most challenging role of my whole career. It put me through a lot psychologically, physically and emotionally, but it’s also been my most rewarding role.

The stakes are higher, and everyone is at the edge of their seats. What should we expect from KOB 2 – The Return of Laburu?

Kemi really outdid herself with this piece of art. KOB 2 is a masterclass in writing and directing.
I’ve heard a few people say KOB 1 is KOB 2’s junior brother. I say KOB 1 is KOB 2’s step-cousin that came from the village. LOL

It’s is bigger, it’s better, it’s unpredictable and more sophisticated! Expect the unexpected and In the words of Kemi Adetiba, trust no one! Wink.

Fet the full interview in our August 2021 issue next week. For now, let’s reunite with Laburu!