Rakim famously rapped how he wasn't a joke. But to us, rap can be pretty funny. Not just because we get to laugh at the many fails rappers endure, but because we love hip-hop and why love something if you're too self-serious to poke fun at it? That's why rap reminds us of stand-up comedy sometimes. Maybe the idea got in our heads when hanging out with recent Complex coverboy Childish Gambino a.k.a. Donald Glover who raps but still finds time to do stand-up.
Now, we don't know anyone who quite does what Gambino does, but we do know a guy named Damien Lemon who's both a stand-up comic and an avid hip-hop fan. Lemon has been doing stand-up comedy since 2005. He started out in New York doing an open mic and got a good reception so he kept at it. Since then, he’s found success by being apart of the cast of MTV’s Guy Code, doing a spot on Russell Simmons’ Presents The Ruckus on Comedy Central, and playing a role in Amazing Spider-Man. But he’s about to turn up in a major way as he just shot his first Comedy Central half-hour special called Comedy Central Presents the Half-Hour which will air soon. He’s also headlining Carolines on Broadway in New York City tonight and through the weekend. Despite all that, he still took the time to get on the horn and walk us through 8 Ways Being a Stand-Up Comedian is A Lot Like Being A Rapper.
As told to Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)
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