Be There: Mike Epps
Mike Epps is the real deal. And not just because that’s the name of his new standup comedy tour that he’s bringing to The Township on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Epps has steadily climbed his way up the standup comedy ranks since he was recognized by a national audience in 1995 for appearing on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. From there, he went on to star alongside Ice Cube in the cult hit “Next Friday” – and so began his meteoric rise to fame.
But a career in Hollywood hasn’t halted his desire to perform onstage. While building a beefy resume in Hollywood starring in more than 55 films – with notable roles in “Sparkle,” opposite Whitney Houston and Jordan Sparks; “The Fighting Temptations” alongside Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyonce; the “Hangover” franchise; and “How High” – he has managed to keep the stage warm with his presence.
“Standup keeps your tools sharp, and that’s what I’ve been doing: sharpening my tools,” Epps said in a 6 a.m. interview as he was being whisked to the “Uncle Buck” set to film scenes. The ABC series based on the John Candy 1989 film will air in 2016.
“It’s the rawest form of any art,” he said. “It’s you by yourself. Live. You can’t stop and start over. You can’t walk off and come back. What you see is what you get. And that’s what I respect about it.”
I’m going to talk about politics, I’m going to talk about my 105-year-old grandmother that passed away. Everybody was at the funeral crying and going crazy and I told them, man, she was 105 and died in her sleep what the hell is your problem?!
said comedian Mike Epps
Epps has headlined several successful national comedy tours including “Mike Epps: After Dark” (2014) and “Mike Epps: Underrated and Never Faded” (2009). He even released a well-received comedy rap album called “Funny Bidness: Da Album” which featured Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock and Slim Thug.
Growing up, Epps says he looked up to Richard Pryor’s comedic styling and anecdotes. Funny enough, Epps will play the iconic comedian in the Pryor biopic “Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?”
“He was real; that’s what made me love him,” said Epps. “He inspired me to talk about things I never thought I’d talk about. I talk about real situations. I’m not … a people-pleaser. I don’t just talk about my family and my kids. Most comedians don’t want to talk about what I talk about because they’re scared people won’t like them. But what am I doing standing up there if I can’t say what I want to say?”
When I do stand-up and then film Richard Pryor its going to work,
said comedian Mike Epps
It’s this unedited mindset that has garnered so many fans for Epps whether he’s onstage or on screen. So when you come to The Township for the show, get ready to laugh – for real.
Dwaun Sellers, dsellers@thestate.com
IF YOU GO: Mike Epps performs his new standup comedy show “The Real Deal Tour” at the Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., with special guest Earthquake on Saturday, Nov. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. $44-$76. www.thetownship.org
This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 9:12 AM.