By Alva Solomon
THEY gathered over 71,000 fans since July 2014 when they posted an amateur video on Facebook. You will laugh at their skits.
The skits appeal to every aspect of the Guyanese society, and this trio from the Ancient County of Berbice continues to produce entertainment that will make you giggle the moment you see them on screen.
Meet the trio who go by the screen name “Cool Boyz”, a team comprising Damien Jagroop, Steve Utam and John Balkarran. Maybe the name “Pakalu”, played by Steve, rings a bell.
Hailing from Port Mourant, Corentyne Berbice, Cool Boyz have gathered a local fan base of the young and the old, crossing boundaries with their skits conceptualized to perfection. But many seem unaware of who they are.
Jagroop, known by the moniker “Practa”, founder of the group, told the Guyana Chronicle recently that it all started in June 2014 when he made a video and posted it on his Facebook wall. At the time, many of his friends and followers found it appealing, and the video received numerous likes and views.
Later, Jagroop would include his fiends John and Steve. “We decided to video our jokes and pranks we share with each other on a daily basis and posted it up with no intention of getting so much of attention”, Jagroop added. As the video grew in popularity, the viewers demanded that the trio create more skits. “And so we continued, and because it was the viewers’ requests, we got their continuous support, even up to this day”, he explained.
The videos are hilarious, and they provide much entertainment to the person in tune with today’s lifestyle, as well as the folks who recall yesteryear. Names such as “Halla like a cat”, “How to cook roti”, “Old people and computer”, and “Pin on pan aam” are only a few of the videos which have been circulating on social media and on the street-side movie stands. They provide a mixture of old and new storylines, bringing back memories of the old laughs of the years gone by.
But what is the concept behind Cool Boyz? According to Jagroop, the name is simply an expression of who they are. “We are the average typical guys who film some of life’s everyday situations that we all may have experienced. And what makes it cool and hilarious is the fact that most people can relate to these scenarios”, he posited.
As actors, he said, the three feel appreciated that the viewers support their videos. In addition the three are happy that they can make a difference in the lives of their numerous fans. As regards the popularity they have received in recent times, he said it can at times be “very overwhelming”. However, they balance their individual lives and on-screen personalities quite well.
As regards the characters, they see each other as equals and being the most amusing in many regards, since in their normal lives they behave as funny as they do on camera. ”Therefore it is not difficult to get into character”, Jagroop mentioned. The trio however, believes the character Pakalu, played by Steve is probably the most hilarious.
Their everyday lives are like anyone else’s. Both John and Jagroop are out of school, while Steve is still in secondary school. Jagroop manages a small business, Chuck & Son DVD Club at home, and he sells electronics and digital video disks (DVDs).
Jagroop undertakes the technical and managerial aspects of the group’s productions, including editing the videos and managing appearances at events. He also does editing as his part-time job.
John works at the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GUYSUCO) Skeldon office.
Annalisa Baldeo, a teacher by profession, recently appeared in several of the group’s videos, and is expected to cement her spot within the group since she has already demonstrated her “coolness” to the audience.
