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with Nikki Glaser
After graduating from KU in 2006, Nikki Glaser left Lawrence for the City of Angels to pursue a comedy career. Open mic nights in Kansas City clubs gave the St. Louis native the confidence to join the competitive LA. comedy circuit and last month she performed on The Tonight Show with Joy Leno.
Contributed photo
What was it like to do your first open mic night?
Generally, for comedians, the first show is amazing. It's your first time and people usually cut you some slack. They say the people who stick with comedy always have a good first set. If you don't know how great it feels to hear people laugh at your first jokes, you have nothing to hold on as you go along. Comedy is like heroine; we are always chasing that first high.
What makes someone funny?
Most comedians had to develop a thick skin for whatever reason; they're fat, they're nerds, they had to persevere past something in their lives to make people accept them. Those are the people who can make the best jokes.
Where do you find your material?
Just from life. When I first started comedy, I was 18 and I hadn't really experienced life. I talked about sex a lot on stage because I knew that's what a lot of other comics did, but I hadn't even had sex. I didn't even know what was funny about it. But now that I've had more experience with relationships and being out of the college bubble, I'm able to get more material. Now I just try to go out and live life to its fullest just to get stories to tell on stage.
Laugh a minute: Nikki Glaser, comedian and 2006 graduate, was recently featured on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.'
How did the Jay Leno opportunity come about?
I did Last Comic Standing when I was a senior at KU and when I initially auditioned, two of the guys I auditioned for happened to be the bookers for The Tonight Show. They liked me and told me I would perform, but that was in 2007. Then last month I got a call from a producer asking me to be on the show that night. They usually put comedians on the show when celebrities drop out because they know that we're always available. So it turns out Paula Abdul dropped out for that night and I thank god for her pill addiction because I wouldn't have been there without her. But I thought the set went really well. The crowd definitely got me.
Any embarrassing moments on the set?
I saw Rainn Wilson from The Office backstage and accidentally called him 'Dwight' to his face.
I miss having the schedule that college provides for you. There's no syllabus in the real life. There's no one telling you what to do or when to turn things in. But other than that, I miss the Jazzhaus, I miss Henry's and I miss the down-to-earth people in the Midwest. Lawrence just has nice, cool people.
What do you miss about Lawrence?
Madeline Hyden
BUMP It On The Boulevard
West Coast Rookies of the Year
Blu of Los Angeles was influenced by Common, Mos Def and Slum Village growing up.
Blu: (So)ul Amazing 1 & 2
A certified purveyor of true, roots hip hop. Los Angeles native Blu is one of the most promising MCs to come out of California. Although not technically a rookie, he released his critically acclaimed debut album Below the Heavens with producer Exile in August of '07. Blu has worked hard, dropping two mixtapes, an EP and a full length album.
Blu's father was a pastor, and gospel music influenced him just as much as MCs such as Common, Mos Def and Slum Village. If you like classic, roots hip hop, Blu is a name to get excited about.
The mixtapes, (Soul! Amazing 1 & 2, play smooth, flowing and cohesive. Blu also released an album that www.hiphodx.com rated top 25 of 2008, as the Johnson half of the group Johnson & Jones with producer Mainframe. Blu also teamed up with producer Ta'Raach for an experimental hip-hop EP The Piece Talks.
If you're more prone to liking trunk rattling. West Coast gangster rap, Nipsey Hu$$le is your man. Nipsey oozes that California, G-funk style and has been gaining a lot of attention in the hip-hop community. A product of south central Los Angeles, Slauson Avenue, Nipsey grew up a devout Rolling 60's Crip and his music is a reflection.
Nipsey Hu$$le: Bullets Ain't Got No Name
He released two mixtapes alongside DJ Felli Fel, Bullets Ain't Got No Name Volume 1 & 2, the first one being an instant, must-have classic. A few words about the music: his shit bangs. His lyrics are on point, the hooks are catchy and the beats are infectious.
Nipsey is looking for a full-time DJ and is currently running a contest online in order to find one. Expect Nipsey to drop his debut solo album sometime in the middle of the year.
Tom Powers
Nipsey Hu$$le is a better pick for a spin in your stereo if you interested in gangster rap. The Los Angeles rapper is searching for a full-time DJ, too. Enter the contest at www.nipseyhussle.com/djcompetition.html.
February 26, 2009
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