09 May 2024

During this year’s Forbes Under 30 Africa Summit in Gaborone, Nick Cannon, known for his roles as an executive producer and actor on TV, among other things, sat down for an exclusive interview with Forbes Chief Content Officer and Under 30 founder Randall Lane. 

The conversation was aimed at motivating the young entrepreneurs and Batswana creators. 

The discussion first delved into Cannon’s remarkable roles and talents, shedding light on his persistent pursuit of creativity and excellence across various fields. 

Quizzed about his ability to maintain focus amidst his diverse endeavours, Cannon offered a profound insight into his mindset. 

“I don’t see it as so many things,” he explained. I wake up each and every day blessed that my job is to be creative,” he said. 

This perspective, he said, was rooted in gratitude and passion.

 He said being creative enabled individuals to express originality. 

Reflecting on his journey, Cannon attributed his versatility to his upbringing and starting as early as possible in life. 

He said starting young set a strong foundation for future success and helped to instill discipline, which is a crucial trait and provided valuable skills that opened doors for him to be an investor and philanthropist at the age of 43. 

“I started out as a young person just being a jack of all trades,” he shared. Whether it was his exposure to music or his admiration for role models, Cannon said he followed his own heart and said sometimes listening to people about how your life should be was not wise. 

“Don’t take anyone’s advice,” he said. As the conversation unfolded, Cannon stressed the importance of exploring new avenues and pushing boundaries no matter what. Ends