Danny Brown's 25 Favorite Comedians
The Detroit rapper talks about the stand-up comics who have influenced his style and attitude.

Image via Complex Original
This feature is a part of Complex's Danny Brown Week.
Despite being frequently hilarious and possessing the most elastic, unpredictable voice in rap today, Danny Brown and his music don't make it completely obvious how much he loves stand-up. He doesn't name-check comics in his verses. You wouldn't necessarily imagine running into him at the Laugh Factory or the Comedy Store. And yet Brown's knowledge of the medium is both deep and broad, and he's honest about the ways comedians have influenced his subject matter, delivery, and more.
"I like when comedians aren't trying to be funny, when it seems like they're being real," Brown says. "The comics I like take shit that shouldn't be funny and make it funny, so that we're laughing at their sorrow. I do that with my records."
Listening to the Detroit MC talk about stand-up is, surprisingly, just as illuminating as when he talks about his favorite albums. These are Danny Brown's 25 Favorite Comedians.
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25. Kevin Hart
24. Sarah Silverman
23. Dennis Miller
22. Gilbert Gottfried
21. Andrew Dice Clay
20. Bobcat Goldthwait
19. Dave Attell
18. Dennis Leary
17. Rodney Dangerfield
16. Amy Schumer
15. Nick Swardson
14. Sam Kinison
13. Lisa Lampanelli
12. Eddie Griffin
11. Kathy Griffin
10. Hannibal Burress
9. Katt Williams
8. Aziz Ansari
7. Eddie Murphy
6. George Carlin
5. Louis CK
4. Richard Pryor
3. Chris Rock
2. Martin Lawrence
1. Dave Chappelle
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