Munyaradzi Oliver Chawawa, known as Munya Chawawa, is a British-Zimbabwean comedian, actor, and rapper. He began his career by creating satirical characters that quickly gained him a significant online following.
Chawawa spent part of his childhood in Zimbabwe before returning to England. He attended Notre Dame High School in Norwich, where he was head boy, and later earned a BSc in psychology from the University of Sheffield in 2014.
His rise to fame was marked by characters like "Unknown P," a posh drill rapper, and "Jonny Oliver," a Caribbean chef. These personas allowed him to address cultural appropriation and societal issues, resonating with a global audience. Influenced by comedians such as John Oliver and Sacha Baron Cohen, Chawawa's work gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with his 2019 freestyle and parody news sketches. In November 2020, he released the single "Piers Morgan," followed by "Pain au Chocolat" in August 2021. He has collaborated with artists like Mo Gilligan and KSI.
Chawawa's versatility extends to television and film. He has hosted the MOBO Awards, starred in Channel 4's "Complaints Welcome," and executive produced YouTube Original's "Race Around Britain." He has made guest appearances on shows including "The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan" and "The Jonathan Ross Show." In 2022, he participated in the 14th series of "Taskmaster" and appeared on "Celebrity Bake Off Stand Up To Cancer" in March 2024.
His filmography includes roles in "Rye Lane" (2023) and "The Sidemen Story" (2024), as well as appearances in "The Sandman" (2022) and "Prince Andrew: The Musical" (2022). Chawawa has received a BAFTA nomination and has been praised by major media outlets for his unique blend of satire and humour, establishing him as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
