As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Koboei Jensen. The Detroit, MI native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Koboei Jensen
Hometown: Detroit, MI/ Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @koboei
Years in Comedy: 3
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: No TV appearances yet, but I perform all around town: The Comedy Chateau and The Hollywood Comedy.
Comedic Influences: Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Dave Chapelle, Jerry Seinfeld, & Jim Gaffigan
Favorite Comedy Album: Eddie Murphy: Comedian
Favorite Comedy Special: Eddie Murphy Raw
Favorite Comedy Movie: Boomerang
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Curb Your Enthusiasm
Favorite Comedic Character: Fred Sanford
Favorite City to Perform In: Los Angeles, CA
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Marriage, Personal Stories, & Family
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: I enjoy performing for a mixed audience (race wise, age wise and relationship wise whether singles or couples).
Favorite Comedy Club: The Comedy Chateau
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
I discovered my passion for comedy in middle school, I would sneak to the living room and watch Comicview on BET when my parents went to sleep. Being a comedian was always in the back of my mind but writing music was my first love.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
I remember how the crowd responded to my jokes and laughed. It was surreal that thoughts I wrote in my room alone were funny to other people.
How would you describe your comedic style:
I’m a storyteller, I love telling stories from my POV and making observations through my comedic lens.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
I write my thoughts out in a Word document with the topic underlined, after that I record myself running through the new material. After listening to it a few times I head to an open mic to try it out and then I keep editing the bit until its time to go on stage.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The comedy scene in Los Angeles is amazing, you can go up every night in this town whether its an open mic, a bar show or friends working out material. I love it!
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Success in comedy depends on the individual and what they really want out of this game. Building a strong brand and putting butts in seats is successful but maintaining a relationship with fans over decades is a true win.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
I really enjoy watching my fellow Detroiters and Darius Bennett and Chris Powell (Comedian CP). I saw CP host a show at Michigan State years ago and back then I thought he was a star and now he’s doing TV and killing it on stage all over the country. He was also the first Detroit comedian to go viral with his “Sh*t Detroit N*ggas Say” video. Freaking hilarious!
I love watching Darius cause he has that smooth Detroit swag and hilarious punchlines. He brought down the house the last time I saw him live. Both these guys are superstars in my eyes. I hope I get the chance to meet them soon.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
My most memorable moment in comedy was in a show in 2019 at the Comedy Store. I did a whole set about almost dying from my woman sitting on my face. I was nervous since I’m shy when it comes to talking about sex but the crowd loved it. I’ll say that was my best performance to date. People came up to me afterwards telling me how they could relate to it. That’s the moment I knew I could really do this comedy thing.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Life is ebbs and flows. I don’t let failures get to me at all, if a joke doesn’t work that’s okay. Ill just continue to work on it until it does, but regardless of what happens to you , you’ve got to keep on pushing.
How do people react towards you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
People are very shocked that I do comedy because 90% of the time I’m super reserved. They often ask to hear a joke right then and there. They also try to give me material to use on stage but I just politely laugh and never use it.
Describe what it’s been like building a career in stand-up comedy:
Building a career in stand-up is like building a house, you have to start with the foundation and build it brick by brick. There are no shortcuts. I take everything I do in comedy very serious, every show, open mic and all the people I network with.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
One thing I would change is getting racist comics all the way out of the game. There’s a lot of comics who aren’t funny at all and hiding their racism behind “jokes”. Let’s not
forget the KKK started as a joke, just saying. In fact, we need to have a polygraph test before we let you have the mic. If you’ve got hate in your heart, stay away. I’ve been to tons of open mics where black people are randomly mentioned in a comedians set without it relating to the joke. Ill address that in my new material, stay tuned.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
The best advice I’ve ever received is from the great David Arnold, he told me “No matter what, you’ve got to get on stage, get on stage!”
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
You Can’t Eat My Head, my paternal grandmother told us nobody’s mouth is big enough to eat your head meaning don’t fear talking to anyone, go for what you want in life.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I met Leah Remini on a set of a certain show and her assistant butchered my name, she’s like its pronounced “Ko-boy” you dummy.” That was funny to me, she’s a sweet lady.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
I hosted at a San Diego club where a lady kept yelling out “cheesecake.” I went into a spontaneous bit about meth in San Diego and how I wouldn’t interrupt her job at Walmart. Fun times.
A Koboei Jensen Fun Fact:
I like to do strange voices when I’m alone; when I was a kid, I would host celebrity interviews in my room on my laptop.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I can see global tours, television appearances, and a production company consistently releasing content I enjoy making. I love writing and creating content.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Embrace who you are and don’t hold anything back, give all of yourself and more on that stage.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
The future is bright, things are heating up. Gen Z doesn’t hold anything back; this next class of comics is going to be something special.
If you could write one episode for one classic TV sitcom which show would it be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
Jamie Foxx Show-Fancy gets kidnapped by a guy she met on a video dating service and Jamie saves the day cause he’s following her the whole time.
If you could choose 1 comedy club and 3 comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The Comedy Store: Zainab Johnson, Darius Bennett and Beth Stelling. I would host, and Zainab would be the headliner, the energy in the room would be incredible.
What’s next for you:
I’m going to continue honing my craft and letting my work speak for itself to create more opportunities for myself and my family. I just want to keep getting better and growing.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
We should always laugh because laughing makes this journey of life way better. Ever since I picked up the mic and gave up being a civilian, life is a whole lot funnier.
Follow Koboei Jensen’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @koboei
Youtube: Koboei Jensen
