Photo-Illustration: Getty Images (Stefanie Keenan, Charley Gallay)
Caution is advised for any and all white comedians currently riding the wave of an “invited-to-the-cookout” persona, as Kendrick Lamar is primed to take back what’s his. This sentiment rings especially true for those comedians who dare to make jokes or remarks about Black women. In a bold statement on his unexpected new album GNX, which dropped on November 22, Kendrick directly addresses this issue with a pointed line in the opening track, “wacced out murals,” targeting those crossing the line. He boldly claims he aims to “make Katt Williams proud” by shedding light on these controversies — a nod to Williams’s notorious 2024 interview on Club Shay Shay. With his line, “Don’t let no white comedian talk about no Black woman, that’s law,” Kendrick underscores the gravity of this conversation. While he refrains from naming specific comedians, the clues suggest there are a handful of contenders who might want to take note.
Gary Owen right now: 😳 https://t.co/6Ig4AK8XmM
— The Jay Agenda (@JayJurden) November 22, 2024
At 50 years old, Gary Owen has made a name for himself as a comedian hailing from Ohio, carving out a profitable career largely by appealing to Black audiences. His 2021 Showtime special, appropriately titled Black Famous, acknowledges this unique niche. However, his success has not come without criticism; Owen has faced backlash for quipping about the Black community, particularly Black women. He’s crafted multiple comedic bits touching on this topic, predominantly framing his attraction to Black women as a point of humor. Notably, Owen, who shares a past marriage with a Black woman and is now engaged to another, remarked humorously about preferential choices in dating — stating that given the option between a lineup of “badass white chicks” in bikinis or a Black woman in a Starbucks uniform, he’d opt for the latter, exclaiming, “I want some coffee!” While it’s reasonable to suspect Kendrick may disapprove of Owen’s approach, it seems unlikely he would dedicate a line to critique Owen’s romantic preferences specifically.
holy shit Kendrick hates Matt Rife too this is Christmas for me
— Skyler Higley (@skyler_higley) November 22, 2024
Matt Rife, a 29-year-old comedian, is known for his controversial humor style, recently labeling Baltimore as “ratchet” during one of his comedy specials. He also offends many by joking about the city of Atlanta on a podcast, stirring further criticism. Accusations have arisen regarding Rife’s use of a Blaccent in his performances, in addition to a troubling public interaction where he jested about Black women. For instance, in a viral clip from September 2023, he asked a male audience member, who expressed a preference for Black women, sarcastically, “Do you believe in the universe?” followed by, “No? You just love black holes?” Rife’s surge in popularity suggests that Kendrick is likely aware of his humor style and the controversy surrounding it, making him yet another potential target in Kendrick’s critique.
Kendrick Lamar seemingly disses Andrew Schulz on his new album 👀
“Don’t let no white comedian talk about no Black woman, that’s law” pic.twitter.com/NPO3GdW0k0
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) November 22, 2024
Andrew Schulz, who has been co-hosting the podcast Brilliant Idiots alongside Charlamagne Tha God since 2014, has climbed to prominence by humorously commenting on current events surrounding Black culture. This knack for edgy commentary is evident on his expansive podcast Flagrant, where Schulz often walks a precarious line. Recently, he found himself facing backlash when he made controversial comments during the July 17 episode featuring British podcasters James Duncan and Fuhad Dawodu from ShxtsNGigs. Discussing the so-called “Black girlfriend effect,” where non-Black men dating Black women adopt new styles, Schulz joked, “They grow their beard because they need a cushion when they get slapped,” and characterized the phenomenon as a potentially protective instinct. The clip quickly went viral, prompting Duncan and Dawodu to apologize for their reaction to Schulz’s comments. Notably, Schulz, maintaining his stance, refused to issue an apology. Given the recent spike in attention surrounding this incident, it appears likely Kendrick’s line about “wacced out murals” was a direct nod to Schulz. With the repercussions Kendrick has enacted on other artists, Schulz may now wish he had chosen the path of contrition.
Related
What impact do Kendrick Lamar’s comments about white comedians have on the future of race-related humor in comedy?
**Interview with Cultural Commentator, Jamie Rivers**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Jamie. We’re discussing the recent developments in the comedy scene, especially surrounding comments made by Kendrick Lamar about white comedians and their jokes about Black women. What are your initial thoughts on this?
**Jamie Rivers:** Thank you for having me. It’s certainly a charged topic right now! Kendrick’s comments are a powerful reminder of the line comedians should be aware of regarding cultural sensitivity. When a prominent figure like Kendrick takes a stand, it resonates because it underscores the importance of understanding the impact of humor on marginalized communities.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely. Gary Owen and Matt Rife are two white comedians who have made headlines recently for their jokes about Black women. How do you see Kendrick’s critique affecting their careers?
**Jamie Rivers:** Both Owen and Rife have built their brands on this specific brand of humor, but Kendrick’s statement is a clear signal – it challenges them to reconsider their approaches. For Owen, who has a history of making jokes about his attraction to Black women, it forces a reassessment of whether those jokes are light-hearted or veer into insensitive territory. Rife’s humor, especially his recent comments about Baltimore and Atlanta, could come under even harsher scrutiny now.
**Interviewer:** Right. Do you think Kendrick’s criticism will lead to a larger conversation within the comedy community about race and humor?
**Jamie Rivers:** I believe so. We’ve seen artists and creators have these conversations before, but Kendrick’s remarks could catalyze a significant shift where white comedians become more conscious of their material. This may encourage a broader dialogue about representation and appropriation in comedy, and possibly even lead to some comedians reevaluating their careers if they primarily rely on racially charged humor.
**Interviewer:** That’s an interesting perspective. Some comedians may argue that comedy is about pushing boundaries and making bold statements. Where do you think the line should be drawn?
**Jamie Rivers:** Comedy indeed thrives on boundary-pushing, but the key is understanding context and privilege. The line is drawn in how those jokes affect the communities being spoken about. If humor perpetuates stereotypes or undermines the dignity of a group, that’s where it veers into problematic territory. Comedians should strive for a balance between humor and respect, especially in diverse communities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jamie, for sharing your insights! It will be intriguing to see how comedians respond to Kendrick’s message and how it shapes the comedy landscape moving forward.
**Jamie Rivers:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to observing the changes and discussions this important issue will ignite.
