BROOKLYN, N.Y.– “What I’ve been through in my past is what made me the man I am today. Things that happen to you in life is what builds you and conditions you into the person you are. Whether it’s good things, bad things, horrible things…You’re strong for a reason.”
A Man’s World
Settled into his office in Brooklyn while taking a breather between tour dates, comedian, musician, filmmaker and father, Majah Hype, is a man in his element taking responsibility for his own destiny. The spirits of the many characters he channels in his comedic videos are represented by the T-shirts and hoodies folded and stacked on the shelves next to him. Jackets and coats dangle from hangers in the back, waiting their turn to help bring Qweff the weather man, or DIRASS the rasta to life. A working atmosphere complete with audio equipment, speakers, computer screens, and musical instruments suspended on the wall; the space is familiar because it serves as a stage for Hype’s many comedy skits on YouTube and Instagram.
“I call my comedy realistic comedy,” Hype declares in a vocal drawl seasoned with passion and intention. “It’s more about what happens on a day-to-day basis. Things that everyone can relate to.”
Life Lessons
With over 100 thousand subscribers on YouTube, and rapidly approaching a million followers on Instagram, sold out dates of Hype’s “Are You Dumb?” tour are not uncommon. His performance scheduled at NJPAC this Mother’s Day only has a few seats left. He attributes his success to discipline, hard work and consistency; traits he says he learned from legendary comedians such as Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Dennis “Sprangalang” Hall. Hype also credits the wisdom he’s gained to events in his life where the integrity of trust, loyalty and love came into question.
“I’ve had friends that I’ve called best friends who now have kids for my ex girl…I could count on one hand how many people that I actually call my friend. There are things that while they were happening I thought to myself, why me?’” Hype reveals. “But I might not have been this strong if I didn’t go through certain things. I might not have been this witty person or creative person. At the end of the day those are the things that created Majah.”
He’s so Majah
Hype also funnels those experience into his characters. His awareness of self and his surroundings gives him the ability to not only speak on different cultural and ethnic practices, but also in the dialects. So much so that it’s difficult to determine Hype’s own nationality. When asked his nationality, he gallantly responds with an air of purpose, to use his comedy and platform as a tool to teach diversity and to help dispel xenophobia.
“My background is the people’s background. I neglect my culture for the sake of others. For the sake of unification,” says Hype. “I want to build a platform for all of us to come together; laugh joke and support each other. Most importantly allow us to understand each other’s cultures,” Hype continues. “At the end of the day it’s not important where we’re from. We’re all really from one place. We’re all black.”
Growing up in a family of entertainers, Hype’s career in front of an audience started when he was eight. His grandfather taught him to play the saxophone, and before long he was traveling with his grandfather’s band. Over the years Hype also included piano, drums and guitar to his musical repertoire.
“That’s the saxophone my grandfather gave me before he passed away right there,” Hype states as he points to a rust colored brass instrument proudly displayed on a wall not far from the entrance of his office. “In my grandfather’s band, I was the wow factor.”
Preceded by a moment of reflective silence, Hype identifies an instrument he just purchased.
“I have a brand new saxophone over there in the corner; I play percussions, piano and that’s my guitar,” he says glancing to the black string instrument eloquently coordinating with the sheen of his black leather couch.
Hype’s acceptance of the good, the bad and the ugly of the human experience adds to his appreciation for his place and purpose in the world. His journey into fatherhood at a young age forced him on to a risky path.
“My daughter turned me into a man quicker than I wanted to be. I took certain roads– being on the streets and doing things I knew I was not supposed to do,” he states reflecting on a journey he feels wasn’t the best route to self sufficiency, but necessary to his growth. “When you’re desperate you’re willing to do what you gotta do.”
A single father, Hype’s growing career is what currently keeps the lights on and puts food on the table for him and his four children. But before he embarked on the life of a showman, as a certified electrician he kept the lights on both figuratively and literally.
It wasn’t until he was laid off by the MTA that he started producing and starring in the comedy skits he posts on social media. Two years later when his boss offered him a six figure salary to come back to work, Hype was presented with a difficult choice.
“I Felt like I was going to let down my fans if I just walked away to go back to work,” Hype says. “I went back [to the MTA] for two weeks, then I told my boss I’m not coming back to work, and I started pursuing my comedy career.”
The Glimmer at the End of the Tunnel
Hype has been on his “Are You Dumb?” tour since January, 2018. Inclusive of maintaining a rigorous posting schedule of videos on social media, touring through August, shooting a sketch comedy show for BET called “The Majah Hype Show”, preparing for his annual Labor Day weekend event, and working on his upcoming film “All About My King”, fatherly duties stay at the top of his to-do list. With help from his mother and siblings, Hype manages to juggle everything successfully. But, he makes sure to use different ways to manage all the stress that comes along with being a man of many faces.
“A whole lot of sex– that’s always good,” Hype exclaims through a mischievous chuckle. “And for me, alone time is therapeutic…the kids running around, playing arguing; sometimes it gets to be too much and I have to just sit here and light a candle and watch Porn Hub– no I’m just kidding,” he teases.
Reflecting on his experience building his brand and navigating his career, Hype shares his perspective on the naysayers and haters while giving some advice to anyone pursuing their dreams.
“A lot of the comedians who paved the way and had to do the little comedy cellars getting paid $25, $50; they are a little bitter that they went through all that,” Hype explains. “What it looks like to them, a person like me just came on Instagram and made a couple of videos. But I tell people all the time, the era that you live in, you must utilize what’s there.”
Describing himself as competitive, persistent and ambitious, he admits that what looks like a simple task to many, takes dedication in making not only “non-believers believers, but also knowers” he says.
“That’s what life is about. It’s about challenges,” Hype states with surety and conviction. “We’re here to enlighten each other and to educate each other,” he continues. “If you turn your back on these challenges then you’re never gonna make it anywhere.”
Click here for a complete schedule of Majah Hype’s appearances and events.
