The Breakfast Club – Interview with Ali Siddiq

Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode: Ali Siddiq On Comedy In Prison, Upcoming Tour, Katt Williams Situation, DJ Scratch Apology + More
Date: August 21, 2025

Overview

This episode features the return of comedian Ali Siddiq to The Breakfast Club, hosted by DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious (absent this episode), and Charlamagne Tha God. Siddiq discusses his prolific career in stand-up, new and upcoming comedy specials, his journey from prison to comedy, the business of independent touring and publishing, his recent viral dust-up with DJ Scratch, and the ongoing narrative with fellow comedian Katt Williams. The conversation is animated and honest, bringing Siddiq’s blend of storytelling, hard-won wisdom, and Houston swagger to life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Touring & Comedy Specials

• Siddiq announces his "In the Shadows" tour kicking off August 22, and his goal to shoot three new specials in February in D.C. (02:34)
• He’s shot five specials recently, maintaining a staggering output and high audience demand.
• He workshopped material city-to-city before filming, and stresses the discipline of structuring stories, ensuring authenticity and narrative continuity across routines.

  "I try to write everything in chronological order. Yeah. So, you know, that's the...And that's the hard part." – Ali Siddiq (02:54)

2. Independent Business Model

• Siddiq describes his fully independent approach—he produces, distributes, and monetizes his specials without major network deals.
• Premieres exclusive pay-per-view (via Moment), then posts on YouTube for mass access, tapping into his one million+ subscriber base (05:21).

  "I'm always insulted when somebody say they saw me on Netflix, because I'm like, no, you did not see me on Netflix. You saw me on YouTube." – Ali Siddiq (04:15)

• Breaks down financials and the importance of leveraging direct relationships with clubs and theaters, often making more in live venues than other comics realize.

3. Origin Story & Prison Experience

• Siddiq sets the record straight: He did not start doing official stand-up in prison—there were no clubs between the "chow hall and the rec yard"—but his experiences there (telling stories to fellow inmates, re-enacting TV shows for those in solitary) were formative to his style (07:52).

  “There's no comedy club between the chow hall and the rec yard.” — Ali Siddiq (05:52)

• He reflects candidly on the violence and tension of prison, the mental toughness it bred, and how storytelling and humor became his tools for survival, personal growth, and eventually, for helping others avoid trouble.

4. On DJ Scratch & Public Apologies

• Siddiq recounts a recent, widely circulated clash with legendary DJ Scratch at a Houston club:

  “I want to apologize to DJ Scratch. No, no. I wrote him a text. He’ll show people the text I wrote him. I’m talking about the next day... I said, man, let me — Scratch, I said, yo, bro, my apologies, man. I was on one.” — Ali Siddiq (14:17)

• He emphasizes the need to apologize as publicly as he disrespected someone.
• Crowd, Scarface, and other hip-hop notables were present for the exchange, highlighting how ego, regional pride, and alcohol can escalate situations.

5. Storytelling Philosophy & Mentorship

• Siddiq explains his style is rooted in narrative, not punchlines; comedy is a vehicle for life lessons and giving audiences an emotional journey.
• Talks about his book “Applied Advice,” which collects wisdom from 13 people who shaped his path, including his parents, Dick Gregory, Bruce Bruce, and DL Hughley (20:21).
• Tells a pivotal story about Rob Stapleton advising him to leave smaller “chitlin circuit” rooms for bigger mainstream opportunities—a move requiring sacrifice before eventual payoff (20:56).

  "You are too talented to just be in those chitlin circuit rooms. You should go to the mainstream room…you gonna have to take a pay cut, but it's gonna work out for you." – Rob Stapleton, as recalled by Ali Siddiq (20:57)

6. Comedy Economics & Industry Dynamics

• Siddiq lays out how club comedians can often out-earn TV writers or viral internet comics with steady touring and sound financial management (25:05).
• Emphasizes the importance of professionalism with club staff, referencing those who started as waiters and now manage Texas' major clubs (23:36).
• Reveals that while he’s been “rich twice — illegally and legally — legally, I just sleep better” (25:05).

7. Prison Stories: Humor and Survival

• Multiple vivid anecdotes about how disrespect leads to violence, illustrated with tales of conflict over dominoes, using creative weapons (tuna in socks), and the strict consequences of prison etiquette.
• Shares how, over time, he and others on his “rage unit” mandated education and positive routines, using humor to avoid or defuse fights (33:46).

8. Anger, Growth, and Mental Health

• Siddiq talks about the enduring struggle of being expected to “let people make it” outside of prison—how society’s lack of direct consequences enables disrespect (34:02).
• He credits mentors like DL Hughley and David Banner with guiding his personal evolution, but admits anger flares when facing public lies and provocations:

  “I’m trapped in this prison of always having to let sucker dudes make it.” — Ali Siddiq (33:32)

9. The Katt Williams Situation: Setting the Record Straight

• The hosts ask about the much-discussed beef with Katt Williams. Siddiq:

  • Denies ever having a side contract with a venue as Katt alleged, and clarifies that he never cashed Katt's check for $1,500 (51:07), throwing it out instead.
  • Shares their long, intertwined history—from booking a young “Katt in the Hat” for gigs, performing together at colleges, and details around their challenged (but never realized) boxing match.
  • Stresses his frustration with ever-shifting stories:

    “My story ain't changed since it happened.” — Ali Siddiq (53:48)

  • Discusses how "clout chasing" accusations are baseless given his lengthy record and accomplishments.
  • Memorable quote:

    “Emmett Till happened because of a lie… Propaganda is one of the biggest things that happened to black life.” — Ali Siddiq (46:53)

10. Ali Siddiq’s Netflix-Like Success (Without Netflix)

• DJ Envy points out that Siddiq’s specials would rank in the Netflix top 10 if they were on the platform:

  “Your specials outperform 99% of all Netflix specials… That’s big, man. That’s huge. And My Two Sons is in the top five.” — DJ Envy (57:39)

• Siddiq describes using his platform to now help other comics, producing and distributing their specials independently (e.g. Marcus D. Wiley).
• Shares the importance of grooming others to “fish for themselves,” not just open for bigger names indefinitely (59:08).

  “You teach somebody to fish versus constantly giving them fish… You out with me for two years… in two years, you in the theater by yourself.” — Ali Siddiq (59:49)

11. Advice & “Applied Advice” Book

• Siddiq critiques how black artists are simultaneously celebrated for supposed independence, yet expected to get “white endorsed.”
• Talks about the process of producing other comedians' work, noting the need for honest feedback if a set or special “doesn’t fit the brand” (61:07).
• Shares a story about Dave Chappelle advising Donnell Rawlings to shelf a COVID-era set until it was fresher.

12. Final Prison Story: “Feast”

• Siddiq offers a vivid, funny (and cautionary) tale about an inmate named Feast, his afro, and what happens when you disrespect the wrong person in the chow hall (63:52–68:04).
  • The punchline is clear: In prison, disrespect echoes, and consequences are severe.
  • “Don’t nobody call Feast—no, you don't call no man out his name. Not in there, because you can’t—the echo’s too loud.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)

• On the danger of missing a detail in storytelling:

  “If I forget a story, then I gotta go back. Now it's like this nigga lying. Cause it don't match the timeline.” – Ali Siddiq (02:54)

• On the myth of starting comedy in prison:

  “There's no comedy club between the chow hall and the rec yard.” – Ali Siddiq (05:52)

• Describing the business model:

  "I'm always insulted when somebody say they saw me on Netflix... you saw me on YouTube. Because I'm an independent." — Ali Siddiq (04:15)

• On preparing material during a tour:

  "I'm gonna take the first 30 cities and work the stories... by the time I get to city number 40, that's when we shooting." – Ali Siddiq (05:52)

• On club money vs. perception:

  “People don’t realize how much money comedians make in them clubs... comedians are living like, they. Y' all be balling on the low.” – DJ Envy (24:56)

• On independent distribution success:

  “Your specials outperform 99% of all Netflix specials.” – DJ Envy (57:39)

• On his relationship with Katt Williams:

  “Why would he have to pay me?... If I had a contract with the venue, wouldn’t the venue pay me and let me back in?” – Ali Siddiq (49:06)

• On staying honest:

  “My story ain't changed since it happened.” – Ali Siddiq (53:48)

• On forgiveness & making things right:

  “If you disrespect somebody loud, you gotta... you gotta apologize. You gotta apologize.” – Ali Siddiq, regarding DJ Scratch (11:35)

• On lies & their impact:

  “Emmett Till happened because of a lie...propaganda is one of the biggest things that happened to black life.” – Ali Siddiq (46:53)

• On mentorship and growth:

  “You teach somebody to fish versus constantly giving them fish.” – Ali Siddiq (59:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tour & Specials: 02:27–03:59
• Independent Business Model: 04:15–05:39
• Prison Stories and Comedy Roots: 07:52–11:14
• Apology to DJ Scratch: 11:17–15:04
• Advice Book & Mentorship: 20:21–23:36
• Club Economics: 24:56–26:10
• Prison, Redemption, and Lessons: 33:46–34:02
• Katt Williams Situation & Industry Lies: 46:53–53:48
• Netflix Numbers & Independent Success: 55:35–59:08
• Comedy Production for Others: 59:08–61:27
• Feast Story: 63:52–68:04

Final Thoughts

Ali Siddiq’s conversation is testament to the power of authenticity, self-sufficiency, and storytelling. His insights stretch beyond comedy into business, personal growth, and the realities of surviving and thriving after prison. He remains candid, reflective, and deeply connected to his roots and his community, eager to set the record straight and help others without sacrificing his independence. This episode will especially resonate with anyone who appreciates nuanced views on success, hustling outside the mainstream, and the power (and peril) of the narratives we tell and believe.

For tickets, book info, and more: alisiddiq.com or Ali Siddiq Comedy on YouTube.