Could you turn years of pain and struggle into comedy? Mike Epps does it everyday and he makes it looks so
easy but it's anything but. From selling drugs, involvement in gang activities and spending time in and out of jail. Mike
has lived the street life and seen it all. It's this life of highs and extreme lows that has fueled Mike's blossoming
career. If it weren't for the tough times he wouldn't be where he is today. See, it was one of those stints in jail where
Mike heard Richard Pryor for the first time. Thanks to a cellmate with a Walkman. Mike was hooked on the comedy of
Richard Pryor ever since. Fast forward to 2006 and Mike is living a blessed life and he's very thankful for it. Stand
up specials, films, TV opportunities and the role of a lifetime. To star as Richard Pryor in the feature film version
of the comedian's life story. What more could a man from the hood ask for? MahoganyGirl catches up with Mike Epps to
get some laughs and to find out the latest on his career, comedy and keeping it hood.
MahoganyGirl: What's Up Money Mike. You enjoying this L.A. weather?
Mike Epps: Yeah. It's sooooo nice...
MG: [Laughs] Yeah it is...So what's good with you...How you feeling?
ME: Life is good. I'm feeling real good. I'm Happy and blessed.
MG: 2005 was a good year for you....
ME: Yeah. I had a good year.. I just thank God for everything. I just want to show my appreciation and continue to do good
work.
MG: Last time we talked the news about you playing Richard Pryor had a lot of people talking. What's
the status on that project?
ME: Right now, we're trying to get the script together. It's a process. Once you establish that you're going to do a
project like this the script has got to be in order. The script has got to be smooth and as good as possible. It's got to
be right. I want to represent the man right. The truth has to be told about the man. So I don't mind taking my time with
this project because I want it to be right.
MG: I can't image how it must feel for you to have the opportunity to play Richard. How do you
prepare for a role like this?
ME: You know what. I ain't even gonna lie to you. I think he lives inside my
soul.. I feel like I'm the early version of him... So I don't have to look too far.
MG: Yeah. I see a lot of similarities between his early comedy
swagger and your craziness now. What's going on with your HBO
project The Unsuccessful Thug… I'm looking forward to this too.
Is this Baby Power? [Laughs]
ME: Yeah... It's Baby Power.
MG: How did this project come about?
ME: Unsuccessful Thug came about when I started talking about my past in the streets... Before I started doing comedy and being unsuccessful while I was out there. Being out in the streets and being…you know…unsuccessful. I mean the streets ain't really made for nobody... nobody wins.
MG: [Laughs]... True. I know you've dealt with drug selling and did time for it.....
ME: And you know what the reason for that was?
MG: What?
ME: I was unsuccessful...
MG: [Laughs] ... I was going to say...
ME: See the streets was like a job I applied for...
MG: [Laughs]
ME: Cause I couldn't get a job no where else you know... [Laughs]
I put the application in to be a street guy... I mean… I showed up on time and everything.
MG: So, besides the drug game what else were you unsuccessful at… How was your pimp game?
ME: Ah...It was terrible.
MG: [Laughs] What happen?
ME: [Laughs]... I'm too nice of a guy you know...
MG: I don't believe that.
ME: It's true. I was too nice. I owed the girls money and shit..
MG: [Laughs] Hilarious… Will the Unsuccessful Thug be a sketch comedy show?
ME: Nah. It'll be like the Sopranos meets Curb your Enthusiasm.
MG: Cool. I can't wait... I want to switch gears for a minute and attempt to be
Barbara Walters. I notice you're doing a lot of work these days. Stand up comedy shows, movies, TV and the non-profit stuff but I don't see a lot of press coverage on you.
Are you press shy?
ME: [Pause] I really don't... I don't like people to read about me and see how
I feel about life and other things through a magazine or something... I just don't...[Pause]
MG: It's cool. I think I understand. You just want to protect yourself.
ME: Yeah. You know... I give them just enough information.
MG: You make a lot of moves for the hood and people respect you for it. Hollywood is still asleep somewhat but the hood loves you... How does that make you feel?
ME: You know what. What you just said is all that matters. As long as the hood loves what I do and loves me that's all that matters. You see people all the time that get rich with this and that and the hood don't like'em at all. People from their hoods have given them chances and supported them and they left the hood behind. Now they can't come back...
MG: Yeah...
I know there are a lot of people that wish they could start their careers over again.
ME: Yeah. Once people give you all those opportunities and then they get
tired of you and you try to go back to what you were doing before it's too late.
MG: [Laughs] True. When it comes to old school and new school
comedians who do you like?
ME: [Pauses]... Old school..
MG: Yeah... I know Richard Pryor... but who else did you like coming up?
ME: Red Foxx was good... Robin Harris... Dick Gregory
MG: What about new school?
ME: [Pauses]...
MG: No one huh... [Laughs]
ME: You know what… They all make me laugh if I look at them long enough.
