Purple Passion presents: Comedy Jam 2004 at Boleros
featuring African King of Comedy Michael Blackson
by Candace Crump, Blacksonville Entertainment Correspondent

The originators of Purple Passion planned a night of laughs, with African
King of Comedy, Michael Blackson. Also, featured were comedians  Shawn Banks, Laugh Love, and BET's Comic View Stand-up Comedian, Roland.

Katrina Jordan and Ms. Yolanda, the ladies of Purple Passion, gave Boleros Dance Studio a touch of elegance sprinkling the midnight colored table tops with beautiful, purple and silver metallic-colored, confetti. Each table decorated with a blue glass candle, and a fully-bloomed red rose. Waitresses attended every table, serving a complimentary bottle of Champagne.

The disc-jockey of the night, DJ Rex, was spinning a variety of music from Rhythm & Blues to Hip-Hop, and Reggae. Opening the night were local rap artists Diamante, Guerrilla Pimp, and D'Loestah.

Although the night was a little off schedule, once it started there was never a dull moment. The MC, Roland, hit the stage at 10:30 p.m. giving everyone an appetite for some Laugh-Out-Loud comedy. Roland interacted with the crowd, both telling jokes and cracking jokes, and introduced each comedian onto the stage.

Michael Blackson was the final stand-up comedian, leaving everyone in
tears with laughter. From the first statement to the last remark he kept everyone laughing by giving everybody his trademark "Mothersucka" language, dressed in his Dashiki, and speaking his heavy African accent. Although Eddie Murphy is an inspiration to his comedic style, Mr. Blackson is definitely in a category of his own. His hilarious and unique comedic style will, without a doubt, take him far in his career.

After the show, I talked one-on-one with Michael Blackson about his past,
present, and future.***

Questions & Answers with Michael Blackson

Q; When did you decide you wanted to be a comedian professionally?
A: When I first came to America and I would get teased by the kids at school.

Q: Who inspires you most?
A: Eddie Murphy inspires me as a comedian.

Q: How did you get your first big break?
A: I got my first big break from BET's Comic View.


Q: What do you know now, that you wish you'd known when you first started?
A: I'd wish I had kept my comedy clean.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
A: I see myself having my own sitcom.

Q: What have you enjoyed most about being on tour?
A: I have enjoyed mostly visiting different places all around the world, and meeting different people.


Interview Courtesy of Candace Crump, contributing writer for Blacksonville.com. If you have any questions or comments send an
email to crump@blacksonville.com