‘Def Comedy Jam 25’ is Comedy’s Blackest Family Reunion

I remember being young when I first saw an episode of Def Comedy Jam. I’m talking, “we got HBO for the moment, mom’s asleep, so I’ma watch this with the volume down so that I don’t get in trouble” young. I always loved seeing comedians flip-flop between appearances on Comic View (BET) and then make appearances on Comedy Central doing stand-up. Def Comedy Jam, however, was always a different type of monster. Def Comedy Jam was the WrestleMania of Comedy. If you could make it here, then you could fuck up any stage anywhere, without fear. Russel Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam debuted in 1992. It’s pretty crazy to realize this show, that highlighted and produced so many Black comics that we know and love today, served as the main vehicle for these performers to break into the mainstream. They used this platform to put a spotlight on the culture of no punches pulled, sugarcane raw Black comedy.

Flash forward to 2017, Def Comedy Jam is now on Netflix as Def Comedy Jam: 25, celebrating 25 years of putting muthafuckas on. Which is insane to me even as I type this. To think that Netflix, the most popular streaming service in the world, the kingpin of the television, would be like, “‘Ol up, y’all celebrating 25 years? Let us hold that Russell.” It’s incredible to see a room full of peers that made a name for themselves after appearing on this platform. Lemme rephrase that, a room full of Black peers that made a name for themselves having been on Def Jam. There’s so much talent in the room th…