Into the Life of Comedian David Morey
In tonight’s installment of Belize On Reel, we take you down to Independence Village to find out more about a comedian who has become a familiar face to many Belizeans. At nineteen-years-old, David Morey has been captivating his supporters with his witty commentary and skits on social issues. Morey has made a name for himself in the local comedy scene, with the help of social media and his community. He is also a student at the University of Belize, pursuing a degree in business administration. News Five’s Paul Lopez found out more about the man behind the jokes. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Nineteen-year-old David Morey has become a comedic sensation in Belize. He is everywhere. Morey produces content on social media. He has headlined numerous local comedy shows. And, his talent has led to a number of endorsement deals with locals businesses and organizations. Today, we visited Morey in Independence Village, at the Triangle Park where it all began.
David Morey
David Morey, Comedian
“I call this the national village. When deh seh yo get the independence eena this month, dah this village deh the talk bout.This dah my home town. And, the thing is about Mango Creek, is that a lot of people don’t know that Mango Creek and Independence dah the same place. So, we could honestly say we born two place at the same time, Mango Creek and Independence.”
For him, comedy began with creating content for social media. At the age of fifteen, Morey and a group of friends launched Backa Bush Vines on Youtube and Facebook. They shot their first series of videos inside this park.
David Morey
“Deh nuh want mek a look bad, deh seh oh you just the tell jokes and thing, jokes nuh pay dah Belize. I always hear that, jokes nuh pay dah Belize David. Yo the waste your time David. Why yo the do this David. Eventually throughout the years I never start this with the intention that I would work with businesses, do promotions, perform, travel over the country. I always told my mom that I want to travel Belize ma, because my pah always use to tell me, David yo the home more than the washing machine. I said, that wah change, that wah change, I nuh wah stay suh and here I am today.”
And things have in fact changed for Morey. He recently signed a contract with the University of Belize to become their social media brand ambassador. As a result, he has been given an opportunity to pursue his bachelor’s degree at the institution, an endeavor his parents would not have been able to afford otherwise. David’s mother, Sholly Morey, has six children. David is the youngest of the six. His parents are sometimes out of work, but they have always found ways to provide.
Sholly Morey
Sholly Morey, Mother of David Morey
“Like everybody say it is hard, but by trying, you have the both parents it is much easier to do it. My husband do like carpentry and you know it is not always you have a job but we make it by the grace of god. One time my brother asked me, it was David, he said can you give me David. He was like can you give me him, because I told him brother it is hard to raise so many kids without regular jobs. I told him no I can’t give you. They don’t even give away dogs anymore. I told him I am going to struggle with my kids. I got them and God will make a way for me to raise them. My mom said, if you even have to raise them with banana, whatever, keep them with you because later on when they go about they will think that you don’t love them.”
And the child that she decided to hold on to, against all odds, is now bringing comedic relief to her life in times of worry and sadness. Sholly says that all six children are her favorite and she loves each of them equally. And, she is especially proud of David’s dedication to his skill.
Sholly Morey
“I always encourage him. Whatever is into I encourage him. If he like it I will be with him a hundred percent I won’t be like David why you talking fool or talking stupidness or whatever cause at the end of the day sometimes when I am having a bad day I go on his page and I will be laughing all day. It just makes your day, just the way he makes the jokes makes you so happy. You could be so sad in your room or whatever and you go on his page you got to laugh. We always bring god in everything do. We always put god first and always let them come up that way that everything you do and say put god first.”
David says the community he was raised in has also played a huge role in shaping the individual he is today. He says Mango Creek has exemplified what it means to be your brother’s keeper.
David Morey
“I wouldn’t try to make it seem like dah something negative when I say Mango Creek people interfering. I always say it is considerate. Yo the mind somebody else business. That is being considerate. So, when yo the come dah Mango Creek expect somebody else to care about yo to the extent that your business is important to them. So, it is not like I am doing it out of, oh I nuh got nothing better fih do. I the do it because I the lookout for you. And, that is a big part of Mango Creek, it is that we always look out for each other. Whenever somebody have something rough everybody wah try help out dah person. It is always a community effort when coming from Mango Creek.”
When asked what is a favorite video of his to date he referred to this skit he did on Commissioner of Police Chester Williams.
David Morey
“I definitely feel like in five, ten years, I want to be somebody that inspires the youth to chase after their artistic ambitions. Of course you have to have your professional ambitions as well. I nuh want seh oh if you want be a doctor and you have a singing talent you have to just sweep that under the rug and forget about that. You could still pursue it. I want to be a living example of that, a living testament that never mek nobody stifle your creativity, yo born with that.”
Reporting for News Five I am Paul Lopez.
