Center
Stage Magazine got a chance to
ask all the questions readers
wanted to know about
Mississippi's own, young funny
man.
Center Stage:
How did you land
on BET and Hell Date? Also, is
this the most recent thing
you’ve done?
DJ:
It’s the biggest thing thus fare
in terms of exposure. I really
love it. I did a show called
‘NEXT’ on MTV as well. I was
getting rid of everyone, just
next, next, next.
I’ve been doing comedy for a
while. I was in Virginia Beach
and I would ride by this comedy
spot. It was called “VA House of
Comedy.” It was on my mind
heavy. I mean I practiced for a
week and just went in there.
Center Stage:
How did you do?
DJ:
(Laughs) I didn’t
do great but they paid me
attention. I knew that comedy
was what I was going to do.
Center Stage: I
read that you were in the Navy,
is this when you decided to
become a Comedian for a living?
DJ:
Yeah, I was in a
Navy Boot Camp in Chicago. I
used to get in trouble a lot. I
used being funny to my
advantage. I figured I would do
shows on the base and I did.
This is my job. I have no plan
‘B’.
Center Stage:
I’m sure people recognize you
from “Hell Date” and your
standup routines. Do you feel
pressure to be funny all the
time? After watching an Episode
of Hell Date, there was a scene
where one of the daters hit you
in the face with a box of soap.
Does it sometimes get dangerous?
DJ:
Yes, (laughs) that was something
wasn’t it. She was mad, she
threw food in my face too.
Center Stage:
I guess it comes along with the
job. I think she held out
because she wanted to get to
know you, even though you were
selling incense at the record
store while you were supposed to
be having Deejay lessons…that
was hilarious.
DJ:
I tried to get her to sell some
fruit out my bag too.
Center Stage: I
know, very well…you are good, to
be able to keep a straight face.
I think she was still
interested.
DJ:
I never, mix business with
pleasure.
Center Stage: Do
you get put on the spot by fans,
like hey do something funny?
DJ:
When they say do
something or say something
funny, I ask them where they
work. Now if they say McDonald’s
or something like that, I tell
them we should go to their job.
They have to make me a burger.
Give me free food (at their job)
and I will put on a show.
Center Stage:
Well, I won’t be
like that, you’ve already made
me laugh.
DJ:
They want that instant
gratification Make me laugh now
Mr. Jordan.
Center Stage: When are you
serious?
DJ:
I’m serious about money and
business… I won’t crack a smile.
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Center
Stage: You’re
making me laugh because
your whole tone changed.
DJ:
“Told you, but I’m
serious around my mother
though. My mom is just
one of those types of
people. She is no
nonsense… I love her.
Center
Stage:
Are you
the only child?
DJ:
No, I
have a brother and a
sister.
Center Stage: I
was asking because there
are a lot of comedians
that come from big
families. Did you ever
get on anyone’s nerves?
DJ: No I was the
cool big brother.
Center
Stage:
You truly
enjoy what you do. We
know you are playing a
role (with Hell Date)
but it seems like you
are really enjoying
yourself, which makes
you believable on Hell
Date. Who are some
of your comedic
influences?
DJ:
I grew up
watching The Jefferson's
(starring Sherman
Hemsley). George
Jefferson had that
Napoleon complex which
brought a different
level to his comedy; he
came at everybody. I
watched Martin as well.
Martin Lawrence kind of
had that same type of
flare, kicking people
out the apartment.
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Center Stage:
They are my
favorite comedians as well. Both
comedians really helped change
the face of comedy. Before them
I truly enjoyed Richard Pryor
and Red Fox.
DJ:
They are
pioneers. With Black Comedy they
helped change, they said a lot
of things that were instrumental
in allowing others (me included)
to follow. If you listen to
comedians now, you can tell the
Pryor and Fox influence.
If those lines weren’t crossed
by trailblazers like them, there
would be no BET Comic View.
Center Stage:
Speaking of BET
Comic View, Lavelle Crawford
(former host of Comic View) was
a finalist on Last Comic
Standing, would you ever
consider going that route?
DJ:
Well, I do standup now of
course. I’m more conversational
funny.
Center Stage:
Would you work with Imus?
DJ:
Imus showed
ignorance in what he did. He did
what children do, he used the
defense mechanism, and they do
it, so can I. I would talk to
him about the situation, slap
then teach. Yeah, I would work
with him.
Center Stage: We
can’t end this interview as
charming as you are, without
asking if you are single.
DJ:
I actually just lost my girl.
Don’t feel bad. It was mutual.
I’m always away so it wasn’t
going to work
.
Center Stage: Does that make you
push more toward celebrities
since you have being on the road
in common?
DJ:
No, I like having someone home.
We both can’t be gone.
Center Stage: You say that now
but what if Gabrielle Union or
Lauren London was interested.
DJ:
Well see, (laughs) we would have
to work that out.
Center Stage: You are sabotaging
this interview, making me laugh.
What other projects are you
working on?
DJ:
There are a few but, because of
production, I can’t name but I
can tell you that the movie
‘HERBS’ is coming out and I have
a leading role. I’m also touring
doing standup now.
We are sure Donnivin Jordan will
be around for a long time to
come. He will continue to
capture audiences when he is
center stage. |
