I’ve always felt like I was a black man living in a white man’s body. My favorite period of history to study is the 50’s and 60’s in America, as that’s when the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. As long as I’ve been able to judge music for myself, I’ve loved hip hop, particularly bizarre, mystical hip hop. My religious views are heavily influenced by the Five Percent Nation, a black nationalist offshoot of the Nation of Islam. And yet, my skin is pale white.
I’m not saying that I want to color my skin; that would be ridiculous. I just want a way to let all the black people I meet in my daily life know that I am cool. I need to get across the message that “I’m not one of those lame, unfeeling whites.” Maybe I’ll make a shirt.
What I’m trying to say is that though I may not be black, I am nonetheless an expert on all things black, so today’s list on Black Comedians is going to be a dunk. Unfortunately, Nicky Gifts has stipulated that I cannot include Jesse Jackson or Rev. James Manning on this list, so don’t blame me for their omission.
I think now might be a good time to reiterate that my top five lists are infallible. Though you may disagree with my choices, that is not just because we disagree, it’s because you’re wrong.
Alright, here’s the list of the Top Five Black Comedians. Let’s get it on.
Just a real quick note before we get into this: I am focusing on the “new generation” of black comedians. I have nothing but respect for Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor (except for 90% of the movies they made), but they’re time has come and gone. As such, I won’t be including them on this list, although they are quite funny. Comedians who just missed the cut: Wayne Brady (not funny enough), Sinbad (I’m not sure if he’s black), and Tommy Davidson (I couldn’t find a video of his P’Zone commercial).
5) Chris Rock
Chris Rock is a great comedian because he can say something that isn’t particularly funny, and make it funny just because of how he says it. His comedy is amazingly insightful, and his movies are above average. Alright, so Down to Earth wasn’t so great, but Pootie Tang and I Think I Love My Wife were really good.
4) Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan is a damn genius. He acts in such a way that a lot of people think he’s a bafoon, but that is mistaken thinking. He makes everyone who interviews him uncomfortable, and the effect is hilarious. He’s really a triple threat in comedy; he can do great stand up, he is great in interviews, and he can act. My only fear is that he’s going to end up dying young. It’s just a weird feeling I get.
3) David Allan Grier
The only black comedian who is possibly crazier than Tracy Morgan, DAG has been a consistent presence on Loveline since I was 15, and he has never disappointed. It is difficult to put together a good half hour set of jokes, but it is damn near impossible to be consistently hilarious for two hours on a radio show. Not for David Allan Grier. A pure genius in our times.
2) Mike Epps
Mike Epps’ stand up special “Inappropriate Behavior” is one of the funniest hours I’ve ever seen. It’s up there in a very select group of specials that have had me laughing all the way throughout it. I first fell in love with Mike Epps when I saw Next Friday, and realized that he had the goods. He proved me right with his performances in Friday After Next, All About The Benjamins, and How High. I expect great things from him in the future. Really, what I can’t understand is how Dave Chappelle has become such a success, yet Mike Epps still remains relatively obscure. He’s ten times funnier than Chappelle, and I guarantee that he’s not going to run away to Africa to find himself.
1) Lavell Crawford
As if there was ever any doubt. First of all, Lavell Crawford is hilarious. He is an expert at making fun of himself, and using himself as a starting point for his jokes. There’s nothing funnier on this earth than his bug-eyed look. But, the thing I believe sets Lavell apart from other comedians is his delivery. His jokes are told intentionally, but also tangentially. He mumbles, yet I can understand everything he’s saying. I’ve never been in as much pain as I was after I saw Lavell live; it really hurts to laugh really hard for over an hour.
what’s a baffoon? A baboon and a buffoon mixed together?
You should have put Tracy Morgan’s El Paso clip up there.
“I love you. I love you-TEP.”
You couldn’t write a more perfectly timed scenario then when you and I drove in the pouring rain to see Lavell and missed him. Did you see him after that?
Yeah, he came to Deja Vu a couple months back. It was spectacular, except for Ben buying me a whiskey and 7 Up when I feel I clearly asked for a whiskey and coke.
Pryor?
A baffoon is a cross between your face and your ass.
I believe dave chappelle is one of the best black comedians.
also i almost feint when i saw eddy murphey at raw & delirious,
uhhh, Paul Mooney
Sorry dude, but you aren’t as black as you think you are. Not even close with this list. Katt Williams? Dave Chapelle? Eddie Murphy? Chris Tucker? Chris Rock is the only one who belongs. Also, the fact that Wayne Brady and Sinbad were even mentioned as missing the cut is better than any joke those cats could tell.
…and you missed Martin. Seriously dude, Wayne Brady???…doesn’t he host some karaoke show or something. This must be the “White Peoples Favorite Black Comedians” list.
To be fair, I am white, so by default this is a “white person’s” black comedians list. However, I still have some points to make:
1) Chris Tucker sucks balls.
2) Dave Chapelle was once funny, but is horribly inconsistent.
3) Katt Williams is decent, but just because he’s “hot” right now doesn’t mean that he belongs on this list. We’ll see if we remember him in a few years.
4) Eddie Murphy just missed the cut, thanks to the demerits he received for that “Party All The Time” song. Plus, Norbit. And pretty much every movie he’s ever made other than Bowfinger.
5) Martin Lawrence is funny, but he’s mostly funny because he doesn’t really make sense. I like the man, but he’s #8, tops.
Though I may not be black, and therefore not “understand” the “black sensibility,” but I make up for that by knowing a lot about comedy. Color is a distraction, all I’m interested in is the humor.