EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH COMEDIAN EARTHQUAKE
BY ASHLEY G. WOODSON

BROTHA ASH AND COMEDIAN EARTHQUAKE

Groove Productions, Inc. does it again by bringing top notch entertainment to Pittsburgh as only they can. Comedian Earthquake, will perform, January 5th at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh along with Comedians Rodney Perry, and Arnez Jay. Earthquakes recent works include Barnyard (2006) The voice of Root Rooster, Clerks 2 (2006)-Husband, and Everybody Hates Chris (2006)- Michael.

Check out my exclusive interview Comedian Earthquake as he opens up about his comedy, being black and his future.

Q: How did you get started as a comedian and actor?
A: As a comedian it was a necessity because I got out of the military after 11 years. I just stepped on stage and talked about my problems from when I was in the military and that's how I got started.

Q: Besides touring with fellow comedians, what else is on the horizon for you?
A: I'm going to do a one night stand for an hour called "Re-Up". I'm in the process of that and I'm doing an animation series for Barnyard, from the hit movie "Barnyard". Right now I'm coming back as a reoccurring role on Everybody Hate's Chris as Uncle
Michael.

Q: Before the fame and before the Airforce, can you tell us what was life like for Nathaniel Stroman growing up?
A: I grew up in the inner-city. If you want to do a microcosm of my life just watch "The Wire". That was my childhood right there.

Q: Some people get famous and forget where they came from. You on the other hand have done numerous things for the community. One thing that stands out is a situation three years ago when you reached out to young African-Americans to curb urban violence in Cincinatti. Is it important for you to give back?
A: I'm glad you ask me that question because I'm addressing it more in my standup. The hypocrisy of racism I think that goes on is our own. I think the enemy is ourself. Nobody holds us down but ourselves. If a white cop or any other race do anything to us, we're enraged. We allow certain people to be predators of our race and we accept it. It's hypocrisy to look at anybody else if you don't love yourself. Until we address that, then how can we ever think we're going to get equality?

Q: We've read many interviews and we have your bio here, but tell us something that we don't know about Earthquake?
A: Well with God's help because he's never let me down, I feel that this will be my best year ever. Please watch and listen to the message and where it's coming from. For certain people, they are not going to be able to take it. You're my first interview for the year and you're the first one that I'm sitting down here proclaiming that I stick out better than any other comic out here. I'm going to be speaking about something that's relevant to us and will just happen to make us laugh.

Q: We are glad that you are coming to Pittsburgh. Tell us what you want everyone to know about Earthquake.
A: Well, I want everyone to know that I'm proud to be black and the part about being black is that we have to be held accountable.

Already immensely popular with urban audiences, mainstream audiences are now getting their c hance to catch this red-hot comedian. Earthquake was recently seen as a top headliner on the Crown Royal Comedy Soul Fest. Added to the comedic mix were the R&B sounds of musical powerhouses Earth, Wind and Fire and The Isley Brothers. Walter Latham, producer of the tour, was the talented producer behind the Kings of Comedy as well.

Earthquake also toured with the Latham Entertainment Presents Comedy Tour in 2002, which was released as a DVD comedy special in October 2003. Also on his plate, Comedy Central premiered Comedy Central Presents: "Earthquake! " Earthquake will released his own DVD one hour special from Urban Works
Entertainment "It's About Got Damm Time". Earthquake has toured with his esteemed colleagues Bruce Bruce, Rickey Smiley, Arnez J and Don D.C. Curry.

With a quick wit to match his impressive comedic skills, Earthquake was a special in vited standup guest on the Bill Maher's politically-skewed talk show on HBO "Real Time with Bill Maher." Receiving the first standing
ovation from the studio audience since the show's debut, Earthquake's set rocked the crowd. He also appeared as a guest on "The Orlando Jones Show" on F/X and the "Dennis Miller" Show on CNBC.

Before embarking on his fast-rising comedy career, Earthquake spent eleven years in the Air Force where he was enlisted as a sergeant. While stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Ft. Walton Beach Florida, he found his funny while performing stand-up onstage at the military's well known talent show "Tops & Blues." Recognizing he may have found his comedic niche, Earthquake took his comedy outside the military as well and began performing in comedy clubs & rooms in the southern U.S.

A move to Atlanta was next, where Earthquake pursu ed comedy full time and found that working in comedy clubs as well as owning them was the way to go. He opened the "Uptown Comedy Corner" and "Earthquake's Comedy Corner II" which became known for introducing hot talent in Atlanta, and bringing in established comedic talent from all over the country.

His straight-ahead humor resonated with his audiences, and Earthquake was asked to join the Def Comedy Jam circuit on the road. He later took a trip to L.A. and made several appearances on BET's "Comic View" during its early years, alongside D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer and a few other of today's best comedians who were also making their mark. Quake made quite an impression on BET, and they quickly offered him his own 1/2 Hour Comedy Special. His slam dunk comedic style has won him coveted spots on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend", VH-1's "The List" as well as a guest appearance on "Mad TV."

He appeared on stage at the "BET Awards " with Ludacris and was personally requested as a headlining comedian for Magic Johnson's Midsummer Night's Magic Weekend comedy show two years in a row.

Earthquake's charm and good nature are apparent as he delivers his straight-ahead humor. Yet he pulls no punches, touching on a variety of topics in his comedy act. The entertainment industry is taking notice of
this sure hit comedian. He has performed at the Montreal Comedy Festival, and headlined at the Aspen Comedy Festival winning laughs from sold out crowds and new fan Whoopi Goldberg.

Aside from keeping everyone in stitches, Earthquake is also a talented actor. You can see him in the upcoming movie "Getting Played" with Vivica Fox and Bill Bellamy. He toured as a principal in the play "Listen to Your
Woman ", for which the Washington Post praised him as a talented newcomer.

Earthquake currently resides in Los Angeles with his family.

Brotha Ash and Comedian Arnez J

Brotha Ash and Comedian Rodney Perry

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