Bean Soup Times: Today, among Black comics, there is not much social and political humor. You have been both praised and criticized for being just that. 

Shang Forbes: Unfortunately, there’s not a lot out there, but it works for me. Some people say ‘he’s a troublemaker trying to start the revolution.’ But I’m just trying to let Black folks know that it’s some (brothers) that think about other stuff than just some shiny &^%$. I see that so much it bothers me.

BS: There should be more balance between the two, you think?

SF: Yeah. That’s the reason I started doing it (political humor). Other comics call me Malcolm-King.

BS: You’ve also been called the Public Enemy of comedy and compared to Dick Gregory.

SF: I ain’t mad at them for that. Dick is my idol of comedy. He didn’t give a %$#@. He just said what he

wanted.

BS: You do lots of activism like him too?

SF: Yeah, I got this thing called Zulu Rising where I go into juvenile centers (both in Los Angeles and

New York) and talk to young cats that's about to get out about their options. We talk to them for real. You know what I mean?

BS: You got started doing comedy on a bet?

SF: Cat bet me $50 and I needed the money. I went on stage and ripped and the owner invited me to

come back. I found myself there every weekend doing a set. Then one day I bombed beyond belief and that made me mad and I started wanting to do it for real. I was just doing straight silly jokes at first, but with my friends, I was the guy talking about, ‘why it ain’t no black people on the wall,’ yelling wake up’ on college campuses and so I began incorporating that into my act, because I thought I’d be more funny if my material was closer to my personality. It worked and it separated me from other comics.

BS: Comics with lots of meaningful social commentary material don't get as much mainstream visibility as others, but you seem to stay busy. 

SF: Yeah, you’re right I don’t get as much visibility. You got me depressed. *&^% wrong with me? Ha ha ha. Naw, I just got mad hustle, because I knew I’d be at a major disadvantage because I don’t come off like a Cedric, Bernie Mac or others. I’m very lucky. I’m 40 years old and I’ve been doing this 12 years. I wake up in the morning and I make my calls; send my promos out to everybody. I edit my own tapes.

BS: Where do get your biggest response?

SF: I do extremely well at colleges, theaters, and clubs as well. I’ll do whatever. I’ll open up a Walmart if

they pay me right.

BS: You’re known for doing poetry as well. How did you start combining the two?

SF: It was stuff in my comedy I couldn’t say and so I started adding poetry. At first the poetry was mad

silly, then I become more serious.Then the poets started taking me serious.

BS: What’s up with your comedy CD, called “Shangry.”

SF: It’s just angry. It goes from relationships to racism, sexism, chauvinism. It’s how I come off on

stage sometimes. It’s weird. I didn’t think people would buy it.

BS: What else are you working on?

SF: I’m on a new season of Comic View. I got a poetry CD I’m working on called “Isms.” I’ve been doing so much comedy on the road and taking care of my kid so I only got four tracks laid. It’s been me and him since he was eight months.

BS: Oh, you’re a professional dad?

SF: Yeah, I’m the real deal. It’s not like I have a choice, but I’m loving it. I did take a major hit career

wise. I was rolling, but that’s my mini me and I can’t front. I also got a DVD coming out with Kevin Evans and That’s Funny Entertainment. It’s going to be a mix of comedy and poetry.