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How Katt Williams Became Comedy’s Truth-Teller

January 15, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Comedian Katt Williams kicked off 2024 with an explosive interview on Club Shay Shay. In the now-viral interview, Katt dished out scathing hot takes on everything from Kevin Hart to Kanye West, Steve Harvey, and beyond. The nearly three-hour-long video has shaken pop culture as we know it, and invigorated Katt’s image within the comedy world, opening his back catalog of material up to a whole new generation of fans. What the younger viewers may not know, however, is that Katt Williams has been a comedy mainstay for decades now, with enough hilarious stand-up specials to fill a days-long binge, and enough film and television roles to rival it. Here’s a look into the life and career of the comedy truth-teller.

Early Life And Career Origins

Katt Williams was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1971. The comedian was raised in a home of strict Jehovah’s Witnesses, prompting him to seek legal emancipation at the age of 13. Though Katt was incredibly young at the time of his emancipation, he credits his penchant for reading and thirst for learning new things as primary foundations for his success. After leaving his family home as a teenager, Williams joined a traveling circus and began honing his craft as a comedian while sleeping on park benches.

By 1999, Katt Williams had established a burgeoning comedy career, eventually leading him to meet the casting team for the hit 2002 film Friday After Next. While reflecting on Katt’s casting, the film’s director Marcus Raboy stated, “When our casting director found Katt, I think he was living in his car. He had this shock of hair, like he had put his fingers in an electric outlet, and his front teeth were missing. He was like a wild character. In many ways, he stole the show. When Katt is focused, there’s nothing quite like him.”

Film And Television Roles

After landing the role of Money Mike in Friday After Next, Katt Williams would go on to appear in a host of major projects, consistently stealing the show with his unique persona and trademark comedic delivery. Williams lent his voice to the hit Adult Swim animated series The Boondocks as A Pimp Named Slickback, making a lasting impression on audiences with his hilarious take on the material. Before long, Williams would come to star in films such as Epic Movie, Norbit, First Sunday, and Scary Movie V.

More recently, Katt has appeared in bit parts in popular television series such as The Last O.G., Black-ish, and Atlanta. Though many fans are familiar with the comedian through his larger-than-life performances, his most prolific work is on the stage.

Prolific Stand-Up Career

Since taking the stage for his first full-length stand-up special in 2006, Katt Williams has released over a dozen 1-hour specials, each to raucous laughter heard around the world. Many of his early specials continue to build on his “pimp” aesthetic developed in roles like Money Mike and A Pimp Named Slickback. Williams has made deals with HBO, Comedy Central, Netflix, and a number of other distributors to release one of the most prolific stand-up comedy catalogs in the history of the industry. The comedian even appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV, performing stand-up comedy to an audience of Liberty City patrons.

Throughout his career, Katt Williams has seen his fair share of controversy, but as he states in his Club Shay Shay interview, he has receipts for all of his claims. His comedy often aims at political structures, societal norms, and conspiracy theories. Whether he’s calling out fellow comedians for joke theft, or dismantling radio hosts live on the air, Katt Williams is a hilarious performer with a razor-sharp wit and a known desire for exposing the truth.

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Ice Cube Responds To Katt Williams Dissing Rickey Smiley On “Club Shay Shay”

January 5, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Katt Williams’ recent appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast continues to make waves, as the comedian took aim at several of his peers. He dissed Kevin Hart, Diddy, Ludacris, Cedric The Entertainer, and many more. At one point in the interview, he discussed his role in the film Friday After Next. He accused Rickey Smiley of lying about being originally cast as Money Mike, a role that was ultimately given to Williams.

According to Williams, Smiley had a bad attitude on set too. He recalls him consistently arguing that the role should have gone to him, telling anyone who’d listen. Williams claims that he even had a contract created stating that he wouldn’t work alongside Smiley again unless he was wearing a dress. He went on to note that Smiley’s next movie was First Sunday, in which he wears a dress. Smiley doesn’t appear to have been too upset by his claims, responding with “nothing but love.” Either way, Ice Cube felt the need to address the interview.

Ice Cube Claims Money Mike Role Was Never Given To Rickey Smiley

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In a new clip, Ice Cube explains that when recruiting talent, he always tries to cast comedians who he believes are funny, and they audition for different roles. According to him, Rickey Smiley did give Money Mike a try, but the role was never given to him. They instead decided that he would make the perfect Santa Claus, which at the time, was a role about the same size as Money Mike. According to Ice Cube, however, Williams’ role in the film “expanded” once he stepped into it due to the “magic” he was able to create.

“When I saw him I just knew that he was perfect for Money Mike,” he says. “The role was written but he enhanced it. This is why Katt was so dope in the movie. […] He was on point.” What do you think of Katt Williams’ viral Club Shay Shay appearance? What about Ice Cube’s response to his claims about Rickey Smiley? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

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Katt Williams’ 7 Most Hilarious Movies

November 3, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Katt Williams is a more-than-familiar name in comedy. While he is best known for his stand-up comedy specials, Williams has also appeared in several films over the years. Even though many of these movies were not critical darlings, they often turn out to be comedy gold, and at the heart of the biggest jokes is none other than Katt.

Overall, Katt Williams is a comedy icon. His unique and deeply hilarious comedic style has also endeared him to fans worldwide. His signature style is also a Halloween costume favorite, and this year, Winnie Harlow brought one of his looks to life. Williams has built a filmography containing comedic gems that have kept laughter ringing through households for two decades. Here are seven of the most hilarious movies the actor has starred in so far, in no particular order.

7. Epic Movie (2007)

Epic Movie is a parody film that relies heavily on spoofing popular culture and movie trends. It features an ensemble cast, including Kal Penn, Jayma Mays, Adam Campbell, and Jennifer Coolidge. Williams lends his voice to star as a satirized version of Harry Beaver, a non-human character from The Chronicles of Narnia. Characters from Harry Potter, The Pirates of the Caribbean, and X-Men, among others, are also parodied. Admittedly, the humor is crude, and the movie lacks much originality, but anyone with a sense of silly humor will definitely enjoy Epic Movie.

6. The Perfect Holiday (2007)

The Perfect Holiday is a romantic comedy film directed by Lance Rivera. The movie stars Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, and Terrence Howard, with Katt Williams in a supporting role. The Perfect Holiday revolves around Nancy Taylor (played by Union), a loving but overworked single mother of three children. The film tells how she finds love again at Christmastime. Williams portrays Delicious, the manager of Nancy’s rapper ex-husband J-Jizzy (played by Charlie Murphy). In general, Williams’ scenes in the movie are sparse, but they are memorable and funny, as expected of the actor.

5. The Obama Effect (2012)

The Obama Effect centers on the story of a man named John Thomas (played by Charles S. Dutton). He is an avid supporter of Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign. Consequently, John becomes deeply inspired by Obama’s message of hope and change. He soon decides to channel his enthusiasm into promoting Obama’s candidacy. Katt Williams portrays a comical character named MLK in the movie. Meagan Good, Glynn Turman, and Reggie Brown also star in supporting roles.

4. School Dance (2014)

School Dance is a musical comedy-drama film directed by Nick Cannon. The film’s central character is Jason Jackson (played by Bobb’e J. Thompson). He is a high school student who dreams of joining an elite dance crew. However, he is often bullied and faces several other challenges, including disapproval from his mother (played by Luenell). As the story unfolds, Jason must find the strength to showcase his talent, overcome his fears, and stand up to his bullies. Katt Williams portrays Darren, one of his most hilarious characters ever, sure to leave many viewers in stitches. School Dance would be an entertaining watch for audiences interested in a blend of unserious teen comedies as well as dance films.

3. Father Figures (2017)

Father Figures stars Owen Wilson and Ed Helms as twin brothers Kyle and Peter Reynolds. The story follows their journey to find their biological father after discovering that their mother had been dishonest about his identity. Their quest leads them to a series of eccentric and sometimes questionable characters who may or may not be their father. Along the way, they happen upon Katt Williams’ character, a nameless hitchhiker whom they befriend. Despite how brief his appearance is, Williams’ character is one of the funniest in the film. Father Figures received generally negative reviews upon its release, but who could deny the laugh-out-loud wiles of Katt Williams?

2. Friday After Next (2002)

Friday After Next is notable for being the first film Williams starred in. This movie is the third installment in the Friday stoner comedy film franchise. It follows the misadventures of two cousins, Craig, portrayed by Ice Cube, and Day-Day, played by Mike Epps. Throughout the film, they encounter an array of humorous situations. They also interact with colorful personalities, including Damon Pearly (Terry Crews) and Money Mike (Katt Williams). In summary, Friday After Next is a comedy film that combines holiday cheer with the signature humor of the Friday series. It offers an entertaining and humorous look at the challenges faced by Craig and Day-Day during the Christmas season.

1. First Sunday (2008)

This crime-comedy film stars Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan, and Katt Williams in lead roles. Durrell (Ice Cube) and Lee John (Tracy Morgan) are best friends struggling to make ends meet. Facing financial hardship and desperate to solve their problems, they hatch a plan to rob a local church’s safe. The two believe the safe contains a significant amount of cash and intend to steal enough of it to pay off their debts.

However, their heist goes awry when they discover the money has already been stolen. Williams’ character, Ricky, is the church’s choirmaster and arguably the funniest personality in the entire film. Despite the mixed critical reception, First Sunday was a box office hit. It also found its target audience and was greatly appreciated for its top-notch comedy. In addition, the movie delivers a message of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of faith and friendship.

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Mike Epps’s 7 Most Hilarious Film Roles

June 5, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Since his memorable 1995 performance for Def Comedy Jam, Mike Epps has become one of the most celebrated comedians of our time. His captivating humor and diverse acting roles in films like Survivor’s Remorse and Roll Bounce attest to a level of skill that continues to draw admiration from fans everywhere. Transitioning between television, movies, and the stage, this multi-faceted star is sure to keep audiences in stitches for years to come.

Most recently, Ice Cube declared that Epps is funnier than Chris Tucker during an appearance on the FULL SEND podcast. Still, it’s clear that Mike Epps is the go-to comedic genius of our time. Here are seven movies starring Mike Epps you should watch.

7. Friday After Next (2002)

Leading audiences into Friday After Next, viewers instantly discover the comical nuances of ghetto life through Craig’s (Ice Cube) and Day-Day’s (Mike Epps) plight during the holiday season. When they come face-to-face with Damon, their landlord’s angered son, they seek solace as security guards in a nearby mall – managed by Craig and Day-Day’s fathers, Mr. Jones and Uncle Elroy. Captivatingly depicting the absurdity and distress of urban life, Friday After Next artfully displays a humorous and heartfelt narrative.

6. Meet The Blacks (2016)

Mike Epps stars as Carl Black, a man from Chicago’s poverty-stricken streets who moves his family to the upscale suburb of Beverly Hills. Here, even the African American security guard finds him incompatible with the affluent neighborhood of White Sky. Despite facing skepticism from his neighbors, including the vigilant community watch captain and his wife, Jim and Mary Smith, Carl bravely proclaims himself the new resident. The Smith couple ironically remark on Carl’s surname, repeating an unduly familiar jest without much humor.

5. Soul Men (2008)

Mike Epps appeared in five movies released in 2008, including the musical comedy Soul Men. The dynamic duo of Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac star as Louis and Floyd, two singers with a troubled past who reunite to pay tribute to their beloved bandleader after his death. Despite their differences, the estranged friends embark on a comical cross-country road trip to the Apollo Theater for an emotional farewell performance. Epps plays the role of Floyd’s nephew, Duane.

4. All About The Benjamins (2002)

Ice Cube and Mike Epps unite to discover a gang of diamond robbers in the 2002 action-packed comedy All About the Benjamins. With Ice Cube’s bounty hunter yearning for fame and Epps’ con artist desperate to reclaim a lost lotto ticket, they maneuver through thrilling twists and turns as they attempt to track down the criminals.

Reggie Wright (Mike Epps) takes a daring risk in a determined effort to escape the ghetto, and there’s an amusingly absurd yet exquisite look at cultural triumph in his frenetic, streetwise vernacular. As Miami basks in the sunlight of another Friday, Reggie is busy stealing items from a supermarket with two elderly criminal accomplices while his girlfriend Gina (Eva Mendes) prays for a lucky outcome in the lottery draw. His reliance on the system which has become his prison – its welfare payments, its Medicaid – as well as his deep-seated fear of achieving freedom, are all cleverly expounded in his fast-talking dialogue.

3. Janky Promoters (2009)

Ice Cube and Mike Epps star in the 2009 American comedy film, Janky Promoters where they take on the roles of two ambitious yet misguided promoters who aim to host rapper Jeezy at their concert. However, their lack of knowledge leads them into a chaotic web of trouble. The movie is based on promoter Chris Ricci’s story, now a member of Modesto City Council.

Conversely, Russell Redds (Cube) and Jellyroll (Epps) make a daring escape in from an irate crowd. As they speed away, Jellyroll’s comic delivery of bluster, bravado, and fear highlights his lack of sophistication as an aspiring promoter.

2. Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Epps took on an uncommon role as actor Jimmy Lynch in the highly acclaimed biographical comedy Dolemite is My Name. Concurrently, Portraying Rudy Ray Moore’s (Eddie Murphy) trusty sidekick and confidant, Lynch appeared in the original 1975 film Dolemite. Craig Brewer directs a Netflix original about Moore’s journey to independently fund his movie, showcasing his arduous process with remarkable precision.

1. The Hangover (2009)

Mike Epps portrayed the iconic Black Doug in The Hangover, the most successful movie of Epps’ career to date. Consequently, this smash-hit comedy grossed nearly half a billion dollars and went on to spawn two sequels. Basically, three tipsy pals frantically hunt for their missing friend Doug, whose wedding is impending in Las Vegas. They trace his steps from the prior night’s debauchery and are met with unexpected revelations as they go.

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Ice Cube Says He’s “Never” Giving Up On “Friday 4”

January 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube says that he’s “never” giving up on a fourth film in the Friday franchise. Speaking with TMZ outside of Dash Radio, the legendary rapper said that despite his commitment, he won’t take legal action.

“You got to use the same IP. So, you can’t call it Saturday without using Craig and Day Day,” he explained.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 27: Rapper Ice Cube performs onstage during the Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock concert at Staples Center on June 27, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson/BET/Getty Images for BET)

As for whether he’d file a lawsuit to get the rights, he responded: “No, ain’t gonna sue nobody.”

Cube has been outspoken about his difficulties in getting a fourth Friday film made for quite some time. Speaking about the idea during a recent appearance on Mike Tyson’s Hotboxin’ podcast, Cube called on the studio to “do the right thing.”

“They need to do the right thing, get it to us, let us turn it into more money, and make the fans happy,” Cube said at the time. “We can do a lot with it.”

Ice Cube has also previously said that Warner Brothers rejected two separate scripts for the potential film.

“I’m trying to get it out of Warner Brothers, they don’t believe in the culture man,” Cube told hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN on Drink Champs. “I had two scripts. I wrote one; it was the shit. They was like, ‘Yo, we don’t want Craig and Day-Day in jail, ’cause Craig and Day-Day went to jail for selling weed before it was legal!”

Cube released the first Friday film back in 1995. He later added on two sequels, Next Friday and Friday After Next, in 2000 and 2002 respectively.

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