We recently connected with Comedian GAY-Z and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Comedian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

My whole life I was the quiet kid until it was time to make people laugh then I would come out of my shell. I had a rough childhood; my response to my childhood was to be quiet and to listen to everything people would say to me because I did not trust people from my early experiences. I honestly wanted to become a mute but my parents pushed me to do every activity known to man from piano, swimming, karate, basketball and singing in a choir. I became pretty good at all of these things but it wasn’t until I turned 8 years old and I had a speech in the Christmas play at church where I found my joy of comedy. I dressed up in all green and wrapped Christmas lights around me and I had the lines “I am a Christmas tree!” The entire congregation started howling. It was my first memory of making a large group of people laugh and I then knew that I wanted to become a comedian for a living but I had stage fright. So I would act out in class in school and even became the class clown at every school I attended in the Cleveland Heights School system. I just celebrated my 20 year reunion and when I tell you all of my classmates said they knew I’d become a comedian the day they heard me in the social lounge. I had some of my best performances in the social room. I actually owe so much of my comedy career to my classmates from Cleveland Heights High School because they are all funny and they hold nothing back when roasting me but I have thick skin so I can take it. I always felt comfortable being myself around my classmates even though I was quiet at home. I had a hard time connecting with my family but I never had a hard time connecting with my peers. Even though I felt misunderstood with my family, I found a new family with my friends that I could always be myself. Everyone deserves a chance to be understood in this world and I am glad that my friends from Cleveland Heights took the time to understand me!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started out as a host of various shows and performing as a christian comic while attending The Ohio State University; I have grown into a quick witted, no holds barred comic over the last nine years. I believe that laughter can bring people together no matter how far apart they may start, my diverse background helps me relate to any crowd.

I am an all-around type of comedian that will sing or dance depending on the day. I’m quick on my toes so be careful when trying to heckle me because I’ve been known to have a smart mouth from time to time. I’ve had the privilege to perform with some of the best comedians in the country. I’ve performed with Gary Owen, Rodney Perry, Damon Williams Kelly Kellz, Just Nesh, and Alex Thomas, just to name a few! My comedy mentor was the late great David A. Arnold; R.I.P David I miss you, bad kids for life! I’m most proud of being a comedian in general; as a child, I grew up having severe social anxiety and stage fright and till this day my mother always tells me “she shocked to see me performing in front of such big crowds due to the fact that I was so scared of people growing up!” The one thing that sets me apart from others in the entertainment industry is I have studied comedy since I was a child. I used TV shows like Comicview and Def Comedy Jam to perfect my craft.

Comedy is one of the toughest professions to get into. Not many people will “make it”. This profession requires late nights and early mornings type of work ethic so it’s very tiring to be a comedian. Long hours and many days of struggling. I am currently homeless sleeping in my truck in different cities, just trying to perform at open mics to get my name out here. It has not been an easy road and I’m still climbing the ladder to success. The key to anything in life is believing in God, yourself and NEVER GIVE UP!

Honestly, I’ve been performing with my comedy idols and that’s been my biggest accomplishment in all of this. I grew up watching everyone I performed with and I’m so blessed to be finally living my dreams. People die every day and NEVER get a chance to live their dreams and I’m so blessed to be in a position to do so. I’m going to be one of the next big comedians and I’m not stopping until this world knows my name because I truly believe God sent me here to change this world through comedy!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn in my career is that not everyone is rooting for you. I have had people who I’ve known since I was a child turn their backs on me out of jealously when I started to open for big comedic acts. People get jealous of your successes quickly and I have a hard time understanding why? I believe that some people are afraid to let go of the “old you.” The person they knew before you pursued a career in entertainment. I have had family members show how mean and hateful they can be when it comes to me rising to new heights in my comedy career. I have had fellow comedians turn from friends to foes in a matter of one month. The people who I started this comedy journey with are not the ones who I have by my side to this day. It’s sad because I wanted to bring everyone with me but often times you realize what you are after not everyone can stomach the weight it takes to carry the cross to fame.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My main goal and mission in this creative journey is so simple it’s crazy but I truly want to heal this world through comedy. I believe that God sent me to earth to achieve world peace through comedy. I know that my talents are God given and I have never had a problem making people laugh; no matter what ethnic background a person comes from. I am honored to carry the weight of being one of the silliest people alive. I don’t sweat the small stuff on this journey because I know that my purpose is greater than any obstacle that I may face. I do however want to challenge anyone reading this article to help me achieve world peace because we can only achieve this by working together and loving on each other!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/gayz_got_shows?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093439988011
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@COMEDIANGAY-Z
• Other: https://shoutoutatlanta.com/meet-gay-z-comedian-civil-rights-activist/

Image Credits
Marla O’ Neal Celena Elise Ajoni Moore