So as you probably know, the new season of Def Jam has begun airing. I’m happy it’s back. And it’s even better for me now, because I had no idea I’d become a comic back when that show was on the air originally. And now I watch it in a totally different way. I know and have worked with some of those comedians. That’s so wild to me! I’ve heard some comics talk about how Def Jam’s “time is up.” How there’s no money in urban comedy anyway, how the show is really only for Black audiences… That’s ridiculous to me, because the show is on HBO. Do you think HBO would put a show on the air if they thought it wouldn’t make any money and would only be watched by Black folks? That would be dumb on their part. We’re only like 10% of the population in this country. Other people are watching.
Good buddy Vince Morris kicked off the second episode of this season of Def Jam and did an awesome job. He’s not what most would call an “urban” comedian, but he did what he does uncompromisingly and got a standing ovation. YAY for that. Vince has been one of the biggest influences so far in my short career. He’s helped to show me that you don’t have to fit into anyone’s neat little box to make it in this business. And the fact that he was so embraced by the Def Jam audience showed me once again that you don’t have to compromise who you are to play to a particular audience. I’ve had people question my ability to work in Black clubs — My comedy is too accessible to other groups, they say. Will Black audiences find me funny? I have to believe the answer is YES. And not because I’m arrogant enough to think that everyone will find me funny, but because believing otherwise would imply that all Black people were the same — had the same taste. It’d be like saying people like me don’t exist.
I know this entry was jumpy, but I needed to get this off my chest. Thanks for reading. Def Jam rocks.