A man often considered to be too hot for the stage, this is one comedian who laughs and will make you laugh while walking on the wild side. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Shannon Battle. The Baltimore, MD native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and lets us know how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Shannon Battle
Hometown: Baltimore, MD/Sacramento, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: IG: @shannon_battle_funny FB: Facebook/AceCupid Snapchat: Shannonent Tik Tok: @Shannon_Battle_Funny
Years in Comedy: 8
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: iHeartRadio, Big Al Sam’s in The Morning, Reality Check TV, Elephant on the Block, Good Morning Sacramento, Grammy Nominated “Comics On Life” with Steffon Braxton, Fox 40, New York Fashion Week, New York Magazine, and UnNew Magazine
Comedic Influences: Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, and Chris Tucker
Favorite Comedy Album: Richard Pryor “Live from the Sunset Strip”
Favorite Comedy Special: Dave Chapelle “Equanimity” and “The Bird Revaluation”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Bad Boys
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Family Guy
Favorite Comedic Character: Stewie Griffin
Favorite City to Perform In: Hollywood
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Sex, Relationships, and Black History
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: A full house
Favorite Comedy Club: LA Comedy Club and Baltimore Comedy Factory
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
Watching Def Comedy Jam.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
Winning a national comedy competition.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Versatile, observant, & physical
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Remembering things from my younger years, or expanding funny moments when outside.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
It could take some more work, I wish there was more efforts to put newer faces up more often, a few producers including myself are good at it, but mostly producers booking their friends, and most of them are mediocre, but I’m learning to do my part when I am here, and when I’m not, forgetting I care when I’m on tour (Laughs).
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
Well, most people talk about making 6 figures, if you’re doing comedy and associated projects like voice overs, commercials, in my book, you did it.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Dejan Tyler (Story Teller), Dru Burks (Host), Ricco Da Great (Improv), Regina Givens and Tristan Johnson (Social Media Engagement), Lance Woods (Traveling), Jerry Law (Networking), Mario Hodge (On Stage Skill Set), and Jay Rich (Consistency).
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Opening for Sinbad at Tommy Ts Rancho Cordova (2019).
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
What failures? I’m winning at all times, I can count on one hand how many times I have bombed at an actual show (open mics don’t count), I think comics be trippin when they say that dumb sh*t.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I either make a new friend, get booked, or get her number. (Laughs) Life is beautiful.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Be easy to work with. I’m not easy to work with sometimes, if I would keep my opinion to myself more and just let sh*t slide, I would be the most booked comic in Northern California. But that’s not me, I’m really from the West Side and you gone catch this flame. Be likable, be coachable, and know that if you burn a bridge it’s not the end of the world, but you probably not crossing that bridge again, and to have realistic goals with what you want from comedy. Be social, not just to your peers, but to people afterwards. I’m not even from here, but I can sell out a show at any given time because I shake hands with everybody, and always be polite at comedy clubs, you never know who you talking to.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
The fact that one person puts up comics at major clubs, mostly in California, sh*t is wack, if they have a biase towards certain styles, or a specific comic, it’s unfair, if you are still doing shows, as a working comic, you shouldn’t be passing comics, idgaf who reads this, I said what I said.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
Don’t listen to other comics that aren’t further in their career than you. They’re figuring it out too, and don’t get comfortable with your material, keep writing, a bit could turn into a segment if you progress your writing.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“The Mind Of A Menace At Peace”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I accidentally hit on Fredricka Newton (Queen of Black Panthers) at New York Fashion Week, and spilling tequila on Big Sean (Drai’s Las Vegas), I have too many stories.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Military Base, SF County Jail, Boat, Strip Club, on an airplane headed to Vegas, CHP headquarters, list goes on, and you can set a mic up anywhere (Laughs).
A Shannon Battle Fun Fact:
Okay I play the piano, sing, love camping, no siblings, youngest class president of a CSU (all 21 of them) as a freshmen, King Kai the rapper and Jay Rich the comedian are my cousins, and no we don’t hangout (Laughs), I professionally do porn, I used to street race, I’m f*cking lit!
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
Cruise ships, comedy special on a major network, I want to have investors help me start my own comedy chain, so I can conduct talent searches and passing comics my way.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
It starts with 5 mins, you can go on tour with 5 mins, working with national talent, 5 mins at a time, and don’t be a b*tch.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
A lot of tik-tokers, and online sensations are gonna get their feelings hurt folllowing comics like myself that really been in the trenches.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be and give a brief detailed sentence on the episode:
I would rewrite an episode of “Friends”, and bring in guest appearances from all the black sitcom that started during that time, Martin, Wayans Brothers, Jamie Foxx, and Bernie Mac.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
San Jose Improv w/ Sinbad, Shang, Dave Chapelle, and Myself.
What’s next for you:
Everything, more fashion weeks, more productions, cruise ships, more photo shoots, all types of nonsense, finishing school, and televised productions coming 2024.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
You only get two options, you gonna either laugh or cry, laughter is medicine, don’t block your own blessings.
Follow Shannon Battle’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Shannon Battle
Youtube: Shannon Battle
Personal Website: Shannon Battle
