Def Comedy Jam

This September, legendary music mogul and cultural icon Russell Simmons is bringing ‘'Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam'' to the UK for a three-date tour, marking the first foray into the European market.

Def Comedy Jam has been at the forefront of urban comedy for black comedy talent for nearly two decades in America & has launched the careers of countless performers including Martin Lawrence & Chris Tucker. Now the UK will experience the phenomenon.

Def Comedy comedians Capone, Dominique, Patrice O'Neal & Tony Roberts will command the stage, backed by Def Comedy DJ Kid Capri plus special appearances by Russell Simmons himself.

DJ KID CAPRI: The Party Starter

Essential to the Def Comedy Jam brand, Kid Capri has been a DJ for the show since its inception in the 1990s.  From the Bronx to Hollywood to Japan, he is the single most renowned DJ in the history of hip hop music. Kid is respected for his innovative style, second-to-none knowledge for choosing crowd-pleasing sounds, and his unparalleled mix tapes.  He's toured extensively with multi-platinum artists Sean "Puffy" Combs, L.L. Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Foxy Brown, NAS, Lil' Kim, Mase, Jay-Z, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Dru Hill, Genuwine and Aaliyah, just to name a few.  Says Kid, "Unlike rap acts that just walk from one side of the stage to the other in concert, I'm a total crowd hyping entertainer. I want the people out of their seats, feeling me, feeling the music.  That's the only way I do it."   He has produced music for artists such as Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Heavy D, Foxy Brown, KRS-ONE, Slick Rick, Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes and Jermaine Dupri.  Kid Capri is a pioneer in the world of Hip-Hop whose flawless intuition guarantees the best party atmosphere at any place, at any given time, as long as he has a mic and turntables.  

PATRICE O'NEAL: The Unconventional Surprise

Patrice O'Neal is a Def Comedy Jam favorite. His unexpected, introspective questions and commentary on life keep the audience engaged and often laughing with tears.  Asked to whom he aspires, Patrice O'Neal mentions only two names: George Carlin and Richard Pryor:  Carlin for his distinct point of view and universal appeal; Pryor for his honesty, vulnerability and personal revelation. Patrice has appeared on "The Late Show with Conan O'Brien" three times and was a regular on the very popular, Comedy Central's "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn". He has performed stand-up at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs and the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. Additionally, Patrice has guest starred on numerous television shows including Fox's critically acclaimed "Arrested Development" and NBC's "The Office". He was also a series regular on Fox's drama, "The Jury".  His film credits include: "The 25th Hour" directed by Spike Lee, "In The Cut" with Meg Ryan and "Head Of State" with Chris Rock.  Patrice has also performed half hour specials on Showtime, Comedy Central and a "One Night Stand" on HBO.  

CAPONE: The Gangster of Comedy

Capone has appeared on Def Comedy Jam twice and has a reputation for rockin' the house. Born Derrick Lee aka Capone, this Bronx born, NY native traded in his rugged, tough ways for his own self-styled notorious brand of comedy that has proven to be a legitimate, profitable hustle. While moonlighting as a barber, he began to hone his comedic skills by engaging in intense snap sessions with co-workers. These intense laugh sessions led Capone's clients to encourage him to seriously consider a career in comedy.  Known for his ability to adapt to any audience, Capone has become a mainstay in the comedy arena. He's performed at several comedy clubs including:  New York's Caroline's, Uptown Comedy Club and Boston's Comedy Club.  He summarizes his comedy as ‘personal.  My jokes are about relationships, children, society, work and ethnicity.' As a resident of New York, he can currently be found hosting Harlem's legendary Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre.

TONY ROBERTS: The Guaranteed Laugh

Tony Roberts has appeared on Def Comedy Jam a number of times over the past ten years and always leaves the stage to a standing ovation. The recipient of the BET Robin Harris Award for Most Original Comic, Tony Roberts presents physical comedy at its best.  Ask any comedian what they think about Tony Roberts and they say he's the "Comedian's Comedian". He has a hard-hitting energetic style that other performers love to watch.  Roberts has appeared on two seasons of "Def Comedy Jam," BET's "ComicView," and "It's Showtime at the Apollo."  He performs stand-up all over the world having toured with the USO and bringing his brand of comedy to prominent comedy clubs across the U.S. including: The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, Caroline's, Celebrity Theater, The Boston Comedy Club, The Peppermint Lounge, All Jokes Aside, The Fox Theatre, and The Regal Theatre.