Martin Luther King, Jr. day is an important time to reflect upon African American culture and fight ignorance, not unlike African American History Month or Black Friday. Rather than run a newspaper ad with our head next to MLK, like this goofy mayor of Houston did, we’ve compiled our favorite lesser-known African American stand-up comics.
1. Patrice Oneal
Devoted to live performances, the confrontational Oneal has never recorded an album or DVD.
2. J.B. Smoove
Leon from “Curb Your Enthusiasm” regularly rocks the mic about everything from thugs to comic books.
3. George Kirby
Louis Armstrong must’ve been the funnest person to impersonate in the history of men.
4. Dick Gregory
A gig from Hugh Hefner to work Playboy clubs brought Gregory’s civil-rights oriented schtick to white audiences.
5. Donald Glover
From Derrick Comedy and NBC’s Community, Glover performs a spazzy brand of stand up comedy.
6. Rudi Lickwood
Lickwood is one of the top comics on the U.K. stand up circuit.
7. Marina Franklin
A correspondent on the new Jay Leno show, which might be the only job less stable than stand-up comedy.
8. Greer Barnes
Barnes has enjoyed a lengthy career, with credits including both “In Living Color,” and “Chappelle’s Show.”
9. Erin Jackson
Jackson has been making steady rounds at illustrious places like “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and Comedy Central.
10. Andre Meadows
Known as one of the nerdier comedians on the circuit, Meadows won the 2007 Los Angeles Ha Ha Comedy contest.
To learn more about African American culture, don’t consult your local library. Just check out 9 Obscure Awards Won By Obama, or why Will Smith is responsible for the Civil Rights movement.
In addition to Comedy.com, Evan Hoovler also writes for Syfy, Cracked, and Gamespy.
