Video After The Jump
In this episode of People's Party, Talib Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with actor, writer, dancer, rapper, comedian, music producer, and friend -- Affion Crockett. This extensive conversation covers a multitude of subjects, including his road to success -- growing up, and frequenting school talent shows, then moving to Hollywood and landing gigs as an extra on "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls," dancing on Soul Train, then soon after his big break getting a stand-up spot on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam.
They discuss his prominent work on MTV's "Wild 'N Out" and what he learned from watching Nick Cannon's drive and his prolific multi-tasking abilities. He also speaks on more lessons he took away from working with Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, and others. They touch on the common criticism of some that impressionism is not acting, Affion's effective use of social media platforms to get his comedy out to the masses, his upcoming stand-up special, and of course this interview wouldn't be complete without a run through of some of Affion's classic rapper impressions, including J-Cole, Jay-Z, Kanye West, 2 Chainz, and more.
Check out the audio podcasts here:
Apple - https://applepodcasts.com/peoplesparty
Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/peoplesparty
Interview timing:
1:57 -- Talib dedicates this episode to his and Affion's close mutual friend Dave New York, who recently passed.
4:33 -- Affion details his inspiration to do impressions coming from watching comedian Kool Bubba Ice, who frequently imitated emcees on Def Comedy Jam. They also discuss the comedy/hip hop overlap, and MTV's Wild 'N Out.
9:11 -- Affion talks about his early years performing at school talent shows, and his parents reactions to his early interest of a career in entertainment.
11:43 -- Talib asks Affion about his appearance on Def Comedy Jam in 1996, fresh out of high school.
13:46 -- Affion tells about his experience working with Jim Carrey as an extra in "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls", one of his first gigs in Hollywood.
18:32 -- Talib asks Affion about another one of his first jobs in LA working on the iconic music-dance show "Soul Train". He also speaks on how music and dancing taught him to listen, and how he applies that to all aspects of his career.
22:17 -- Affion does a run though of some of his classic rapper impersonations.
26:17 -- Talib asks Affion how he landed his job on Wild 'N Out, and lessons learned about drive and ambition working with Nick Cannon. Affion also speaks on Jamie Foxx's storytelling abilities, and Will Smith as a visionary.
33:51 -- The trio discusses some people's dismissiveness of impressions, trying to separate that from what they perceive as true acting. Using Jamie Foxx's performance in "Ray" as one example.
36:34 -- Affion talks about his successful use of social media, in the advancement of his career via his rap parodies.
39:32 -- Affion speaks on his satisfaction of making Martin Lawrence break character during the shoot of "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins", as well as lessons learned from Jamie Foxx, watching him pitch ideas to Hollywood executives.
43:12 -- Talib asks Affion to walk him through the making of his classic furniture scene in the comedy "A Haunted House". Jasmin also asks Affion to do the the "single Jay-Z" impression.
46:39 -- Affion talks about some of his voice-over acting, and the trio also discuss the late, great John Witherspoon.
50:14 -- Affion on working with Lebron James and Dr. Dre on a commercial, and being humbled when Dre told him he was a huge fan of his work, and recounts Common's response to Affion's impression of him.
51:31 -- Affion tells about what we can expect next from him, including a new stand-up special due out soon.
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