Comedian Katt Williams, known for his controversial humor and word-of-mouth show promotions, gained traction with an exclusive interview on Jan. 3 on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast. The interview quickly reached 11 million views in a day and eventually amassed 22 million views.
Among the many claims Williams made, one claim supported by a fellow comedian and Wild ‘N Out cast member is that Williams supports lesser-known talent. B-Daht, a Wild ‘N Out comedian and former UNC athlete, vouched for Williams, sharing how he invested in up-and-coming comedians in small venues.
“And I know he’s broke as s— back there,” a quote from Williams’ segment on supporting fellow comedians resonated with B-Daht.
“He watched my lil raggedy 5 minutes and then blessed me with $150 per minute, and I ain’t even see all his set. I wish I could adequately express just how uncommon sh-t that is in the comedy world,” wrote B-Daht, whose full name is Brian McLaughlin, on Instagram.
In total, B-Daht claimed to receive an additional $750 from Williams over what he was making from his opening act.
In the sit-down interview with Sharpe, Williams expressed a sense of obligation to support lesser-known comics performing in their hometowns. He explained that he feels compelled to do so because he would earn $100,000, while the local talent would otherwise suffer.
“Would it be nice if somebody shown up and gave them a little blessing?,” Williams said to Sharpe regarding supporting small-town comics and the city that host him. “…People know that is how I paid my tides. If I got paid $100,000 to be in your city, I’m going to take $10,000 of that and put it in your homie’s area. Not because I got to. It’s because you gave me 100 racks to come to your rinky dink town. Who would I be to not pay my tides back to your town?”
Launching his comedy career in 1991, the Ohio-based Williams boasts a estimated net worth of $10 million.
Williams is set to launch his comedy tour, The Dark Matters, on Jan. 12 in Texas, and reports indicate that tickets, with the cheapest seats priced around $80, are rapidly selling out. This surge in demand is attributed to the buzz created by his “Club Shay Shay” interview on social media, The New York Post reported.
Comic Among Comics
Williams sets himself apart from other mainstream comics, including Kevin Hart, whom he mocks for seeking praise from smaller comics rather than genuinely helping them.
Hart, alongside some of the people name-dropped by Williams in the explosive interview, has denied the assertions, according to Hollywood Life.
In addition to Hart, Williams dropped names like Rickey Smiley, Michael Blackson, Cedric The Entertainer, Steve Harvey, Joe Rogan, Ludacris, Martin Lawrence, Taraji P. Henson, Chris Tucker, Diddy, Faizon Love, and Jonathan Majors. Williams, known for his controversial remarks, expressed disparaging views about these entertainers, many of whom he had worked with in the comedy scene.
Williams, as in the past, questioned Hart’s Hollywood success and accused him of lacking genuine humor.
But Hart wasn’t the only one Williams seemingly threw under the bus. He laid out back-to-back allegations. Cedric The Entertainer he accused of joke theft and criticized him for not achieving stardom in movies. Ludacris, claimed Williams, is part of the shadowy order the Illuminati (which was founded and disbanded in the 18th century in Bavaria). Steve Harvey, said Williams, retired from standup because Williams embarrassed him during a standup competition. So Harvey, claimed Williams, retreated to television and radio gigs.
Despite the negative tone of the nearly three-hour-long interview, there were moments of positivity. Williams defended Kanye West’s mental state and stood up for actress Taraji P. Henson, criticizing the industry for unfair treatment, including pay disparities and insufficient recognition of her achievements.
As Finurah previously reported, Henson revealed she wanted to quit acting despite having a stellar reputation in the media industry.
The word is “tithes”, not “tides”.
No judgement but ummm, tell me you don’t go to church without saying you don’t go to church (sigh.) The correct word is “tithe.” It’s to give at least 10% of your income.