Chitown standup

A luminary of his hometown Chicago's comedy scene—Lil' Rel has come up from the underground, swinging. And why not? You can only be an up-and-comer for so long. At some point, you had better actually arrive and start knocking on some doors.

The comic began his career at 19 after graduating Crane high school and spending a year at Harold Washington College. He honed his comedic prowess through performing at local venues before gaining national attention. Rel has displayed his Windy City witticisms on TV shows such as Comic View, The Big Black Comedy Show, Who's Got Jokes, Bad Boys of Comedy, and Last Comic Standing.

“People have seen me on these TV joints. But when they see me live that's when everyone be like, ‘damn man’. I'm like, yeah bruh. I go hard," he said.

There's a humble swagger in Rel’s tone. He has the sound of a man confident in his abilities who still counts his blessings. The west-sider believes he can torch any stage and isn't shy about saying so. Several knockout performances on national television yielded mainstream exposure and networking opportunities. Rel credits NBC's "Stand-Up for Diversity" showcase with providing him some much-appreciated propulsion.

"Just getting a chance to meet with the president of NBC, ain't that crazy? See him, talk to him, tell him ideas you have for different things," he related. "Just to be on their radar, like, damn," said Rel, who also spoke on insight into his act that he got from figures in the entertainment universe.

"My material's a little edgy, a little hood, but I don't have that type of look though. I can get away with saying a lot of shit. I look non-threatening, that's what they told me. They keep it real with you once you get in that little office."

Despite his industry connections, Rel is committed to holding his city down; he hasn't bolted to NYC or Hollywood as so many (too many) Chicago entertainers do in pursuit of mainstream notoriety.

"I live in Chicago and that's what the fuck it is. I know where the gangs at, I know where all the shit at. I don't want to go somewhere, have to learn some all-new shit. Hollywood is crazy man," he said. "The Chicago buzz is cool to me, but I'm finna have it crazy. People love you when you own your city."

Rel’s portrayals of jersey dress sporting, K-Swiss rocking, micro-braided Chicago hood-rats, have been comedic gold. However, his act is about a lot more than just hood-rats. And thank God for that. He also grabs laughs by discussing memorable characters from his west-side neighborhood, his zany family, hip-hop (which is certainly laughable these days) and all of those ironic, hilariously true aspects of Chicago hood culture. Still, he aims at a diverse audience despite his act's distinct Chi flavoring.

"My comedy is really broad. I know how to kind of make everybody understand it. You could put me in front of any audience and I guarantee I can rip it. I could do that hood-rat joke in front of a crowd full of white people and it will still kill. I always told people if you're good at bringing people inside your world, you can make anybody laugh," he said. Seeking his comedic insight, I asked Rel who or what in his opinion, is not funny, period. Here's what he had to say:

"I hate to say. In fact, I don't even want to say. D.L. Hughley," he admitted. "Only time he was funny was when he was hosting Comic View, and he was hosting the shit out of it," he said. "Believe me; I respect him. I respect him to the fullest," Rel added.

Visit www.myspace.com/lilrel4 for clips of his comedy and info on how you can catch Rel live and in person.

*This interview was conducted in August 2008*