21 QUESTIONS: The one thing I can’t live without is...

Arthur Nkusi is a jack of all trades. Most commonly known as a comedian, he is also a singer, radio personality, actor, choreographer, and painter. Sharon Kantengwa asked him a few things that people might not know about him. 1. What would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date? The level at which my brand as Arthur has reached in Rwanda and mostly East Africa. When you hear the name Arthur, the word comedy comes to mind, which is not something easy to accomplish.2. Worst habit? My worst habit, I would say, is spend a lot of money when it comes to making anything happen for a show we are organising. That’s why I have a manager that helps control my finances.3. What is your favourite time of the day? The end of day. I always have a good feeling because that’s when I know what I have accomplished for the day, and what’s ahead of me. I call it the “me time” and I end it with watching a series.4. What can’t you live without? I can’t live without my phone, because it’s my mobile office. All the gigs and coordination of my projects depend on my phone.5. What would your friends say they appreciate about you? That’s a tricky question, because I’m not sure what they would say. But generally, I’m a giver - most of my friends say that about me. I believe that the hand that gives is the hand that receives.6. What fictional character best describes your personality? I would say the Bakame character in our books. It’s smart, creative and a bit rational when it comes to ideas.7. Which is more logical to follow - your heart or your head? Personally I think the heart gives you the real instincts, and the head plans how to use it. I think it’s logical to follow your heart but use your head while doing so.8. What is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you? The first time a girl told me “I love you”. By then it was magical. You know what I mean? 1 9. What are your three weaknesses? My spending habit, saying yes all the time and I trust so easily. I am working hard to improve myself though. 10. What happened the last time you cried? It was a family matter. It’s a bit personal but it really cracked me to tears.11. What is your biggest regret in life so far? I regret the day I bought a car for the first time, and it was a used car. It almost made me broke because I had to repair it all the time. Honestly I will never forget that and will never do it again.12. What’s more important, truth or happiness? What’s more important is the truth. As they say, the truth can set you free. What’s the point of being happy in a lie?13. Where do you often find yourself singing? I often find myself singing in the studio when I am on radio. When we play a good song, I increase the volume and sing along. I actually do that every day.14. If you were to listen to a song over and over again. What would it be? It must be a Bob Marley song; I am a big reggae music fan. Any song from that guy is worth listening a million times.15. What question do you hate to answer? “Do you have a girlfriend?” I find it in most of the interviews I do or go to.16. What is the funniest thing you have ever done or said? In recent sets that I have done in Kenya and Uganda, it was a Sauti Sol joke of how they do all their songs around one story. It starts with meeting a girl, you take her home, make love and ask her not to abort. When you meet her it’s “hey Isabella” (the Isabella song). But you see every girl needs some money, so you ask, “do you want some money?” (the Money Love song). You then take her home and say “turn off the lights sweet baby” (Nishike song) and then you end up making out (Shake Your Bum song). She then gets pregnant, calls you with an abortion idea, and that’s when Nerea comes in. Is that a joke?17. If you didn’t have to worry about money or a job, where in the world would you want to live? I would love to live at an island, like Madagascar for example, or Mauritius. It would be an adventure. Arthur Nkusi. (Net photos) 18. What’s the one movie you love most and why? Roots. It’s a series actually; it’s very interesting and shows the history of how blacks came to become slaves. The book is also amazing because it takes the story deeper.19. What would you do in a week if it’s the only time you had on earth? First, I would throw my last shows to keep the legacy alive, and then I would make sure I throw a re-union party with all my friends. Throughout the whole week, I would be close to God, praying. Then spend the remaining time with my family, and writing my will.20. Would you rather take pictures or be in pictures? I personally love photography, so I would rather take the picture.21. What unique item do you have in your wallet and why do you carry it around? It’s the picture of my mother. Whenever I look at it, there is a voice, or should I say a spirit, that reminds me of every inspirational story and advice she has ever given me. It also reminds me of the hard life she endured just to bring me up. It keeps me moving.editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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21 QUESTIONS: The one thing I can’t live without is...