DOPE AS USUAL Podcast

Episode: Things Went Left w/ Ali Siddiq!
Date: February 17, 2026
Host(s): Marty O'Neill & Thomas Araujo
Guest: Ali Siddiq

Episode Overview

This episode features comedian Ali Siddiq in a freewheeling, candid, and hilarious conversation with hosts Thomas ("Dopas Yolo") and Marty. Covering everything from the comedy business, drug-dealing origins, family struggles, homelessness in U.S. cities, prison stories, and independence in the entertainment industry, the conversation blends raw honesty, street smarts, and unique comedic insight. Ali pulls no punches on how he sees the world and what it means to "do it yourself" in both comedy and life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wild Rodeo Stories & City Life

• Thomas recounts a recent visit to Houston where a friend was tricked into fighting a real bull instead of a mascot, resulting in a near-disaster ([01:10]).
• The trio dives into the grim realities of homelessness in San Francisco and Los Angeles, describing their personal encounters and the overall decline of these cities.
  • Quote: “If you don’t smell piss, you’re not there.” – Thomas ([02:48])
  • Quote: “San Francisco is very homeless.” – Ali ([02:41])

2. Drugs, Upbringing, and Family Dynamics

• Thomas and Ali share experiences growing up around drugs, working young, and dealing with adversity.
• Ali discusses starting to sell drugs at 14, moving significant weight, and his eventual incarceration ([14:28]−[15:21]).
• Thomas reflects on growing up with absent or addicted parents and having to hustle for food and money ([36:16]−[39:10]).
• Honest debate on whether poverty justifies entering the drug trade, risk versus reward, and generational cycles.
  • Quote: "I wanted other shit than what she was providing. It was no every time I buy a pair of Converse now, I just want to apologize to my mama.” – Ali ([44:47]–[45:35])

3. The Art & Hustle of Stand-Up Comedy

• Ali clarifies he’s not an “actor,” despite TV and sitcom appearances ([07:12]–[08:17]).
• Describes his decision to go entirely independent in producing, filming, and distributing his specials—often putting them out free on YouTube ([16:06]–[19:00]).
  • Quote: “Why not just do it myself, shoot it myself, and put it out myself?” – Ali ([19:00])
• Explains how comedians in Houston and Texas benefit from more stage time compared to LA/NY comics limited to 5–15 min sets ([22:34]–[26:19]).
  • Quote: “You have a lot of time... if I come up to a room, I'm gonna do at least 45 to an hour. That's just me coming to work out.” – Ali ([25:24])

4. DIY Mindset & Business Savvy

• Breaks down why selling your own tickets and merch can "cheapen" the brand, versus setting up efficient systems and leveraging promoters ([27:07]–[29:53]).
• The importance of hiring the right team and delegating tasks as you grow; learning how not to burn out ([56:25]–[57:04]).
  • Quote: “If you do it all yourself, you'll burn out.” – Ali ([56:27])

5. Lessons from Prison and Life After

• Delves into how prison informs his worldview, his "Domino Effect" YouTube specials, and later doing a stand-up special in prison for Comedy Central ([66:23]).
  • Memorable Story: Comedy Central wanted him to put his fingerprints into a prison system for a shot, and his attorney shot it down immediately:
    “There would be no putting fingerprints on old machine... What we would hate is the star not to be able to leave here.” – Ali ([70:57])

6. Physicality, Self-Defense & Boxing

• Ali discusses his deep boxing background, starting at age six, still training with his son ([79:14]).
• Admiration for the “confidence” of street addicts and those living “without responsibilities” ([04:39]).
• War stories about fights, warning signs people miss before getting knocked out, and the risk of violence after prison ([80:26]–[86:42]).
  • Quote: “If somebody tells you, ‘Hey man, going on now, I don’t want to do this,’ you better listen. That’s too much confidence.” – Ali ([81:47]–[82:46])

7. Language, Identity, and Family Gaps

• Lively back-and-forth about the shame (and jokes) of not speaking Spanish within a Mexican family, and Ali revealing he speaks Arabic instead ([34:18]–[35:00]).
  • Quote: “If I was Mexican, I would probably say speak.” – Ali ([34:57])

8. Community, Uplifting Others & Ownership

• Discusses his transition into distributing other comedians' specials on his YouTube channel, offering a platform for up-and-comers ([99:44]).
  • Quote: “No, I’m just distribution... like what you do. Distribute dope. Dope comedians.” – Ali ([99:49]–[99:57])
• Voices gratitude for the freedom of not working for someone else and being able to hire family/friends ([51:25]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Rather be new than old." – DL Hughley, as recounted by Ali when talking about people calling him a “new” comic ([49:24])
• “Now I voluntarily go in and buy a pair of Chucks. I should just call my mom right now, like, I’m sorry, I was judging your pockets on the wrong shit.” – Ali ([45:08])
• "If you don't smell piss, you're not there." – Thomas ([02:48])
• “Why not just do it myself, shoot it myself, and put it out myself?” – Ali ([19:00])
• “If you do it all yourself, you'll burn out.” – Ali ([56:27])
• “If somebody tells you, ‘Hey man, going on now, I don’t want to do this,’ you better listen. That’s too much confidence.” – Ali ([81:47])
• “No, I’m just distribution... like what you do. Distribute dope. Dope comedians.” – Ali ([99:49])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Rodeo bull story & Houston/Austin vs. California cities: [01:10]–[03:39]
• Homelessness and the realities of San Francisco, L.A., and Philadelphia: [02:41]–[06:26]
• Stand-up versus acting, sitcom experience: [07:12]–[08:17]
• Drug-dealing, upbringing, hustling for survival: [14:28]–[45:35]
• Independence in comedy, DIY business: [16:06], [19:00], [25:24], [56:25]
• Nuts and bolts of the comedy business (tickets, merch, promotion): [27:07]–[29:53]
• Language, not learning Spanish, family identity: [34:18]–[35:00]
• Prison specials, “Comedy Central wanted my fingerprints!” [66:23]–[70:57]
• Ali’s boxing background & street fighting wisdom: [79:14]–[81:47]
• Distribution of comedy specials for other comics: [99:44]
• Expression of gratitude for an independent lifestyle: [51:25]
• Arena tour, upcoming YouTube specials, NAACP award nomination: [94:02]–[95:30]

Ali Siddiq’s Specials and Business Moves

• Four new specials to be released in 2026 on his YouTube channel ([94:02])
• NAACP Image Award nomination for “My Two Sons” ([94:16])
• First arena show booked in Baltimore ([94:47])
• New model: distributing other comedians’ specials on his YouTube channel ([99:44])

Tone and Authenticity

This episode is a mix of gritty storytelling, streetwise philosophy, hilarious tangents, and honest business talk—all delivered in the straightforward, often irreverent, and real tones characteristic of both Ali Siddiq and the “Dope as Usual” hosts. Ali’s warmth and wit shine as he offers lessons learned the hard way and wisdom for up-and-comers, staying true to his roots and his independent spirit.

For more:

• Watch Ali Siddiq’s new “Mondays” special and more on his YouTube channel
• Tour dates and tickets: AliSiddiq.com
• Follow “Dope As Usual” for more deep dives with top comedians and creators

End of Summary