When you think of some of the funniest comedians that are in Atlanta, OD Odell should be one of the people on the list. He has a talent for energizing crowds and leaving audiences laughing uproariously.
Odell spoke with rolling out after his set at Kat’s Cafe Tuesday Night Comedy in Midtown Atlanta about what makes comedians hot in that city, advice for aspiring comedians and how he stays on top of his game.
What do you think makes comedians hot in Atlanta?
It’s the pressure cooker. Atlanta has become the headquarters for Black people; this is the most Black city in the country. When everybody wants to [be part of the Black elite], they come here, so now you have the pressure of performing in front of these people who are not easily impressed. You almost have to set yourself on fire. Multiply that with the fact that touring headliners live here — a lot of them, like more than 50. They’ve been doing their thing as far as TV, movies, and all that s—. These are the people who you are trying to get stage time from, so your time is precious.
How do you stay on top of your game?
I was born for this s—. I used to say some humble s—, but now I’m good.
What do you think is the key to being a good comedian?
Transparency, honesty and you have to have to nuts to say some s— that most people wouldn’t say or wouldn’t know how to say. That’s why people like Katt Williams and Dave Chappelle are so powerful. Through comedy, they’ve been able to voice people’s opinions that people couldn’t really put together themselves. There’s nothing better than a joke that makes people say, “Exactly.”
What is some advice that you would give to aspiring comedians?
You better want to do this s—. Don’t just see the good side of comedy and see people that you like and say “I could do that.” But can you do the other s—? Can you stay up all night? Can you not get paid and do it for the love and do it for the exposure? Can you be homeless and do it? Can you be dodging legal trouble and do it? That’s the conditions that a lot of comedians are under when they perform and make you laugh.
They are under a pressure cooker, and if you can’t handle the pressure, please stay at your job. We do not need that. This s— is like Atlanta traffic. Y’all coming up here f—— up traffic, not knowing where you’re going or what you’re doing. If you’re serious, come on, and we’ll welcome you.
