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BIO
"This
American humor of ours, call it comedy, call it jokes, call it what
you will, gives each and every one of us a great stress release if
only we seize it with both hands and choke the crap out of it."
--gangster of comedy, Capone.
"This American system of ours, call it Amercianism, call it
capitalism, call it what you will, gives each and every one of us a
great opportunity if we seize it with both hands and make the most of
it."
--gangster Al Capone
History has a funny way of repeating itself. Take the Windy City of
Chicago circa the 1820s when a self-proclaimed Brooklyn street
politician named Al Capone revolutionized the crime world with his
hustling antics. Nearly 70 years later, the Bronx is introduced to
Derrick Lee, another hustler who trades in his ruggish-thuggish ways
to become a successful entrepreneur and later metamorphosize the world
of comedy as Capone, the Gangster of Comedy.
While both Capones lives slightly parallel each other, our beloved
comedian’s life is not tragic, but inspirational. Unlike
Chi-town’s original crime lord, Capone, the comedian didn’t ignore
the warning signs that he needed to cease the hustle. His first and
last sign came in 1991 after receiving a nine-month sentence. It was
then that the soon-to-be notorious funnyman knew the street life wasn’t
his calling. “Jail was a blessing for me,” recalls the
28-year old comedian of his spiraling street career. “At the
rate I was going I’d either be spending a whole lot of time there or
end up dead.” With a second chance, Capone left the street life and
became a home attendant for the mentally challenged. “It may seem a
little far fetched that I chose a Samaritan job, but I’ve always
been interested in helping people, especially those who can’t do for
themselves.” Although his salary was a far cry from his previous
income, he valued his freedom enough to stay on a legitimate path and
supplemented his wages by moonlighting as a barber on the weekends. It
was at his second job, that he began to hone his comedic skills by
engaging in intense snap sessions with co-workers. “I was always
crackin’ jokes on the customers or my co-workers so the barber shop
served as a sort of comedy haven for me.”
It wasn’t until 1992, when a promoter friend of Capone’s
challenged him to take his innate talent off the streets and to the
stage that his comedy career was launched. “My first show was at
Columbia University,” says the eight year comedic veteran of his
meager beginnings and who credits his late mother for his comedic
sense. “I won the amateur contest and I was invited to perform with
the heavy hitters.” Performing with professionals such as Tracey
Morgan (Saturday Night Live), Talent (Wyclef Jean’s 1998 The
Carnival), Michael Epps (Next Friday) opened up many doors
for the boisterous budding comedian. He immediately ditched his day
job after he’d saved his earnings to open his first barber shop six
years ago. “It was always one of my dreams to have my own barber
shop and work for myself.”
Today, the notorious funnyman is also the C.E.O. of D.D.L. Enterprises
(his initials) and owns three businesses in the Bronx -a barber and
beauty shop and a computer store. In addition to his acute business
savvy, Capone’s ability to adapt to any audience has made him a
mainstay in the comedy arena. He’s performed at a slew of comedy
clubs including New York’s Caroline’s Comedy Club, Uptown Comedy
Club, Boston Comedy Club and tons of universities. It is this same
universal comedic flair that helped Capone nab his gig as the host of
Harlem’s legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre. “My jokes
are personal -relationships, children, society, work, ethnicity,”
admits Capone who also hosts the majority of the Apollo’s scheduled
concerts. “I transform it into a comedic vision.” Luckily for the
humorous, the gangster of comedy and his silly comrades had an even
bigger vision -to unite The Big Apple’s top five comedians (Capone,
Talent, Gerald Kelly, Drew Frasier and Rob Stapleton) for a N.Y. Kings
of Comedy tour. “We decided to put this show together about a year
ago, but it was difficult with everyone’s conflicting schedules. But
when we finally came together I went straight to the Apollo and made
it happen.” The Royal Fam’ is such a hot commodity that the show
sold out in less than a week and a second show had to be added.
“We’ve gotten an overwhelming response and I’m hoping the show
will travel soon.”
As if he isn’t already inundated with enough projects, Capone has
also done album skits for one of the Ruff Ryder’s canines Drag-On’s
solo debut Opposite of H2O and is currently
completing his own debut My Life Was No Joke, a clever fusion
of comedy, rhythm and blues and rap due out this July. Capone who is
also remembered for his unique style of dress is also planning to
launch his own clothing line in the near future. With such a hefty
plate, it’s hard to imagine what Capone will most be remembered for
-his contribution to the history of comedy or his flourishing
businesses. “I want to be remembered as the comedian who handled
things his way,” says Capone who also manages to be a doting father
despite his dual career. “And as far as my personal contribution,
I’d like to touch the lives of people who did not believe in
themselves. Everybody has problems that they sometimes can’t
control. But after the dark tunnel there’s always light, it’s just
how long you’re willing to walk that path.”
It’s obvious that the gangster of comedy has traveled his path and
walked toward the light almost stealthily -when the world of comedy
lease anticipated his arrival. But he’s here now, sitting stoically
upon his comedic throne waiting to tickle the next funny bone.
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