Being a “black tie affair” and boasting a start studded lineup which included Adele Givens, Masrha Warfield, Joe and Guy Torry, Paul Mooney, Lunell, Bill Bellamy, D.L. Hughley, Cocoa Brown, Juhahn Jones, Lil Rel Howery and more, it was easy to see how the event not only sold out but had to turn away upwards of 300 people.

Cocoa Brown, on the night of the event, explained how these awards shed light on the unsung comedians,

“This is for those comedians who have been on the grind, been in those trenches, and honing their craft who just haven’t had that spotlight on them for five minutes yet. A lot of them have been making a name for themselves and need to be acknowledged and recognized for that.”

[Photo Cred:Antoine DeBrill]

In addition to those being honored the award show paid tribute to the Queens of Comedy (Sommore, Mo’Nique, Laura Hayes, Adele Givens), Charlie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Dick Gregory, Red Foxx, and more.

[Photo Cred:Antoine DeBrill]

“I got a call from Marsha Taylor wanting to be on the committee for the comedy awards and it’s like every other genere, art, style of award shows and she thought that comedy was kind of neglected…We have a lot of great comedians who have been doing [this] for years and never really got their just due. So this award show is honoring those who have paved the way and kept the door open for young comics and the new comics who are coming up like the social media guys. It’s a great honor to be a part of this committee.”

Among those being honored were:

• Paul Mooney: The Honor for Creative Excellence
• George Wallace: The Living Legend Honor
• D.L. Hughley: Voice of a Generation Honor
• Marsha Warfield: The Comedy Queen Pioneer Honor
• John Laster: The Ray Murphy Memorial Honor
• Lil Rel Howery: The Bernie Mac King of Comedy of the Year
• Luenell: The Moms Mabley Legacy Honor
• Joe Torry: The Robin Harris Legend Honor
• Juhahn Jones: The Social Media Comic Influencer of the Year Honor
• Terry Hodges: The Charlie Murphy Road Warrior Honor

[Photo Cred:Antoine DeBrill] (1)

“This is the first bridge on how the young entertainers should do it from any style. We’re right now standing in that gap as we touched the gods before us…say something people can leave with and make the world better with it.

Social media star Juhahn Jones spoke at length about his experience coming into comedy and when he really became serious about it his IG followers,

“With social media you have to understand that it came with time. For example vine was an app, a lot of people exploded with vine because they were consistent. They weren’t necessarily entertainers first. Me, myself, I was always an actor, comedian and I came on the second wave because I was friends with the guys that was coming up. Even i shied upon it…til I got the call from King Bach saying i got a million followers come to my bowling party.”

On the red carpet, Jones couldn’t contain how excited he was to be in attendance, “this is truly a blessing. I’m thankful to be here and to take a part of everything and to meet everyone. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

[Photo Cred:Antoine DeBrill]

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Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) added another chapter to his exciting life last night when he made his stand-up comedy debut in Montreal, Canada.

Yasiin made his debut at Montreal’s Phi Centre as part of the “Happy Birthday! Shut Up” show. Along with Bey, producer/DJ Kaytranada performed.

Yasiin Bey is no stranger to the comedy world. Besides his experience as a great actor in plenty of comedy films, during Dave Chappelle’s hey-day, the artist popped up on Chappelle’s Show both as a musician and as a bit actor, making it one of the show’s best musical performances when he freestyled in Dave’s whip as they cruised the boulevard.

According to Cult MTL (Cult Montreal), Bey touched on the Drake and Meek Mill beef, “The male ego is a boring place.” He also talked about Kanye throwing away his busted mic at the Pan American Games in Toronto, “I was talking to El-P from Run the Jewels the other day and he said it turned into a bird.”

Yasiin continued to share with his audience, “My dream had been to do stand-up comedy, and I’m sitting down,” he said, referring to the fact that he was sitting on a stool. “Don’t I look like I’m living my dream? I’m here living my dream, and I look like Tyler on the cover of that album.”

If you didn’t get a chance to catch his show, no worries! Watch snippets below.

The post Yasiin Bey Makes His Stand-Up Comedy Debut in Canada appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Scott Aukerman | Kid Cudi

Let’s call a spade a spade, and admit things haven’t been going ideally for Kid Cudi in recent years. Suffering from depression, insulting fans at live shows, not enough music production, and ultimately leaving G.O.O.D Music certainly hasn’t helped his career, and while it seems like Kid Cudi is constantly struggling to find himself and his role within the entertainment industry, his summer at least looks a little more stable than usual as he will replace comedian and musician Reggie Watts as a regular co-host on Comedy Bang! Bang! Although this is somewhat surprising, Cudi has experimented with acting for some time now, landing a small role on Brooklyn-Nine-Nine, The Cleveland Show and a role in the upcoming Entourage movie. If you’re unaware, Cudi is really funny when he wants to be which could actually make Comedy Bang! Bang! a great fit for him along side Scott Aukerman. Check out Cudi’s recently released album SATELLITE FLIGHT: The Journey to Mother Moon, and look for him to takeover co-hosting duties early to late June.

The post Kid Cudi Joins Comedy Bang! Bang! This Summer as Regular Co-Host appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

After spending four successful seasons as Troy Barnes on NBC’s hit-comedy series, Community, Donald Glover surprised fans when he walked away from the show (well for the time being) in 2013. He decided he wanted to dedicate his time to pursuing a childhood dream of his, which was to be a conscious rapper, who goes by the name of Childish Gambino. However, before he departed, he pitched an idea for a new show called Atlanta (which is based around the hip-hop scene in Glover’s hometown) to FX Network’s executives. Recently, they decided to order a pilot episode of the show and not only will Glover be writing it, he will also be executive producing and starring in it.

Entertainment website Deadline.com is reporting that Glover will be playing  (Earnest “Earn” Marks,) a character whose professional and journey closely resembles his own. Earnest is a misguided youth, who decides college isn’t for him and drops out. He sets out to pursue a career in the music industry, after his cousin experiences overnight stardom and success.  The two will constantly be butting heads in the upcoming comedy series over their musical differences, as they try to dominate the local, yet extremely competitive hip-hop scene.

Make sure to look out for the upcoming pilot! Sounds like it will be a good one.

The post Donald Glover Set To Return To Television appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Q: Hey Q who’s your least favorite rapper?
SBQ: KENDRICK HE SUCKS

Q: What’s under the bucket hat, Q?
SBQ: used to b my Hairline but dat sHit far from tHere

Q: Who wins in a fight between TDE and A$AP Mob?
SBQ: us easy dem niggaHz cant figHt

Q: Oprah, Martha Stewart, Kathy Griffin. Fuck one, Marry one, Kill one.GO!
SBQ: i already fuck katHy, i would marry opraH and kill martHa sHe a felon

Q: Sup Q, two questions 1. How many bucket hats you got? 2. Who the ugliest rapper you know?
SBQ: I GOT LIKE 300 PLUS and danny brown and ab-soul witout HIs sHades

To clarify, these jokes are only a small part of the AMA and none of them are actual, mean-spirited, match-igniting shots. Like Kendrick‘s “Control” verse, these are just friendly (and hilarious) nudges between friends and peers. Read the full exchange here.

The post Schoolboy Q Flexes His Toned Comedy Muscles in Reddit AMA appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

A lot of rappers say interesting things in the booth, but are amazingly boring on camera. Brownsville beat batterer Sean Price isn’t one of those rappers.  Continuing his impressively extensive series of wacky comedy videos for Duck Down Records, his latest video features him attempting to pawn a “historically significant” potato at the pawnshop of world famous Pawn Star Chumlee. Hilarity ensues.

For more hilarious Sean Price comedy moments, watch the videos below. Famously known as “Your Favorite Broke Rapper,” these videos are clear evidence that perhaps comedy could provide Sean with an alternative source of income. Enjoy. And buy his album Mic Tyson while you’re at it because he can rap too. Seriously, he can really rap. Shit’s kind of scary sometimes.

The post Sean Price is a Comedy Genius appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Yup. TDE’s celestial wordsmith smoked with the iconic comedian. Let’s hope Mr. Chappelle brings some supa hot fire to a future Ab-Soul track.

The post PHOTO OF THE DAY: AB SOUL MEETS DAVE CHAPPELLE appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.