INTERVIEW: Ali Siddiq On Comedy In Prison, Upcoming Tour, Katt Williams Situation, DJ Scratch Apology + More

Summary

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

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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.

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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.”

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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)

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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

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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.

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

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Ali Siddiq]

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[Ali Siddiq]

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[Noah DeBorosso]

I'm Noah and I'm 13 and I started this podcast because, honestly, adults don't ask the right questions. Now you know it. Noah DeBorosso is a show about influence. Who's got it, how they use it, and what it means. For the rest of you, it's not the news. It's what the news should be if someone Gen Z or Gen Alpha made it. Politics is wild, and I'm definitely not here to tame it, but I'm here to make sense of it. Listen to now youw Know with Noah de arrasto on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Ali Siddiq]

Every day I wake up.

[Will Lucas]

Wake your ass up.

[DJ Envy]

The Breakfast Club.

[Ali Siddiq]

Y' all finish or y' all done?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlamagne the guy. We are the Breakfast Club.

[Ali Siddiq]

Along the roses here as well.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We got a special guest in the building.

[DJ Envy]

Yes, indeed.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ali Sadiq.

[Ali Siddiq]

Welcome, brother. Thank y' all for having me back. I'm good, man. Got a tour.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He said in the Shadows tour kicks off August 22nd in Atlantic City.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yep. We back on it. You know, I took six weeks off, and now I'm coming back, so. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

How much do you write, Ali?

[Ali Siddiq]

Oh, man. Every. Every other day.

[DJ Envy]

It gotta be, right?

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, every other day.

[DJ Envy]

Because I was watching Two Sons. Two Sons is an hour and 20 minutes long.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, that. That was. That's the easy part about my family, because I. I know them. You know, I don't have. I don't have to really write nothing with that. I just have to structure it. You know, how I must. How I' ma say it. And then, you know, Rugged was a little bit more, you know, program that I had to really write out rugged to know which stories I was gonna say and how I was gonna say them. And the timeline. Cause I try to write everything in chronological order. Yeah. So, you know, that's the. That's the. And that's the hard part. If I. If I forget a story, then I gotta go back. Now it's like this nigga lying. Cause it don't match the timeline.

[DJ Envy]

So when you go out on the in the Shadows tour, how much of that material do you use? Or you just leave all of that on YouTube and you just got something brand new.

[Ali Siddiq]

So in the Shadows now is the. Is the new. The new special that I'm shooting in February in D.C. okay. So I'm gonna shoot three new specials in February in D.C. i just shot three in Detroit in October. So we got five specials in the can that we can drop that much material. Damn, man. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Jesus.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah. Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

So do you feel like breaking down the business? I just want to know how that translates into dollars.

[Ali Siddiq]

Oh, it's like, how many? Like, you don't need the whole program.

[DJ Envy]

I want to know the business of it.

[Ali Siddiq]

So how a special translates from. Okay, so let me start with this. 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. Because I'm an independent. So what happens is I shoot the special. So I get paid for doing it. Cause I only shoot when I'm on tour. So I shoot in the places that I'm performing. I'm not. Oh, let me pick someday and shoot somewhere else. I'm doing the special. Because I'm ready. When I got to Detroit, I was ready for the three specials. So we sold out the three shows that we did. So we do two shows for each special. So that's six. That's six paydays just to shoot it. So then after I shoot it, I premiere it on a different platform for my immediate fans. So now that I'm at a million followers on YouTube, that's a million people that. That have the possibility of going to the platform that I put it on to premiere before anybody else sees it.

[DJ Envy]

So it could be any platform.

[Ali Siddiq]

But we do moment.

[DJ Envy]

Okay.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah. So then after two months. Cause I wait two or three months before I put it on YouTube for free. So now that translates into commercial dollars.

[DJ Envy]

So people pay for the watching on the moment.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yes. So that's subscribers.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Subscribers, bay. And then you do it for commercials.

[DJ Envy]

Okay.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, Smart.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So you said you shot four specials in the last couple of months? Three in the last three months. When do you get time to do? You have to practice your material.

[Ali Siddiq]

The comedians was like, let me try this out.

[DJ Envy]

And you gotta live life, too.

[Ali Siddiq]

Right. The thing is, I'm on the road. It's 100. So I'm gonna take the first 30 cities and work the stories. And then by the time I get to city number 40, that's when we shooting Gotcha. I'm saying, so I'm gonna work all these. We got 44 dates, 44 theaters after. You know, I do Albany on Wednesday. Cause I. When you take. When you take time off, you have to go to the minor leagues first, you know, to come back. Come back. Because I've been. I was. My. How my stories line up was kind of off a little bit. I was forgetting major parts of the story. I'm like, wow, I wasn't supposed to say that yet. And people pay attention to me. So people notice. They, like, say, no, you can't go. And then I had to start saying something like, let me. Hey, it's a part that I forgot to tell y'. All. Right? Right. But it works because I tell stories. So it's. I'm so connected to my audience that they wait for it, you know, like. And it's a very special thing that I really think is cool. Cause, you know, I transitioned after I've been doing stand up 28 years in December. It'll be 28 years in December. So how I used to be, when I look back at how I've gotten to this point, you know, is crazy. Cause now I'm recant I'm going into how I got to this point now in the new specials, how I even started. Cause people will say that somebody wrote years ago that I started in prison. And I try to. And I keep trying to clean this up. I did not start in prison. There's no comedy clubs. That's not what the paper say. This paper says right here, most people work out in prison. But you did comedy. Is that your first show? Somebody. I don't know who wrote that initially. And it's been sticking. Somebody. So every time I get to the interview. So you starting in prison. Man, there's no comedy club between the child hall and the rec yard. Well, I'm like, yo, everybody come in here. I'm gonna get it done. No, it was more like the first two years I was wilding. I give it that I was on prison time.

[DJ Envy]

You trying to survive.

[Ali Siddiq]

It wasn't even surviving.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I was wilding in prison.

[Ali Siddiq]

Oh, man. Okay. So they used to have this. They used to have a mop bucket with the handle. Me and probably some other people are the reason they took the handle off. So the Mexicans would cut the handle off and turn it into knives. I got into it with a dude, and I dropped him. And then I went to the third floor. I was so mad. I was wild. I went to the third floor, and I filled my bucket up with water, and I dropped it down on him.

[DJ Envy]

Damn.

[Ali Siddiq]

Damn. You know what I'm saying? So. Huh?

[Podcast Announcer]

The water was hot.

[Ali Siddiq]

No, the bucket full of water. I dropped the bucket and everything on. And to do that, you gotta have a handle doing it. Like, this is a little awkward, but, yeah, I was on one, man.

[DJ Envy]

Survive.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[Ali Siddiq]

What did it do to you for you to do that, man, if you say you stole your chips or something. Nah.

[DJ Envy]

Damn.

[Ali Siddiq]

Ali. I had a problem with people talking reckless. Like, that's why I didn't play dominoes. Cause see, people lose their mouth in dominoes. So we playing. I. And I told him. I said, hey, man, I don't want to play because y' all don't know how to talk. Right, man, now we ain't gonna say nothing. So then we. We playing dominoes, and I call ten. And then the next thing I know. Ah, ten inches in you. And then I just got. Don't even worry about it. Don't even worry about it. Don't even see this. This is what I said. I said, we. I don't do this. And I just. Man, I lost it. And people knew. People was like, oh, boy, you might want to go Put your boots on. Because this little boy is a wild man. And, like. And I figured out. Look, see, you see how you laugh? See, I can't take all that. And the thing is, I figured out that most people can't fight hand to hand. I've been boxing since I was 6. So I was like, yo, it don't matter how big you are. I ain't got no weight class. You know what I'm saying? It's like, if you trying to do something, let's do it. But in there, you have to check somebody. Chin, I'm saying, about everything. And it just became too much for me. So about two years in this old head told me, he said, yo, man, you can't keep living like this. Cause I was like, yo, I would be on that basketball court. And this is where I say 85% of my fights start on that court. You know what I'm saying? Get undercutted. I'm doing you dirty on that court. And all of a sudden, your mouth went crazy. And I just. All right, no, no, I'm waiting. I'm like, soon as we get back to this block, it's on. And I just bust you in your head and. Oh, man. A can of tuna and a pair of socks. Oh, you can get the work done.

[DJ Envy]

Put the tuna in the socks.

[Ali Siddiq]

How old were you? 19 when I went. Oh, you was. Yeah, he was young. Yeah. So 19. 44 days after I turned 19, I was gone.

[DJ Envy]

We used to do that with locks in high school. Put the lock. Put.

[Ali Siddiq]

No, you put your lock on your belt. The combination knock. You put that on the loop of your belt. Yeah, the swing is pretty good, too, though. And you gotta rapid. The swing is. Swing is pretty good. So when you got home, wow, all.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Those people that you beat up in jail, they never came back at you. Never seen them at your shows.

[Ali Siddiq]

But, like, you remember me, I'm the.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

One that you get, man.

[Ali Siddiq]

You know, it's wild. It's more dudes that I beat up in high school that be on one than anything. I was just. And at this function I had. I'm say this publicly because I always say if you. If you disrespect somebody loud, you gotta.

[DJ Envy]

Your homeboy behind you.

[Ali Siddiq]

You gotta. You gotta apologize. You gotta apologize. So DJ Scratch. I'm quite sure you know him. Scratch? Yeah, dj. The real Scratch. So we. I'm. It's my last day of vacation. I'm having a good time. You know what I'm saying? And then he. He's back there doing his mix. And I'm like. And I'm on the mic. I don't want to hear that. I want to hear everything from the South. I don't want to hear nothing that you all that. I don't hear none of it. Damn. And Scarface is like, yo, the legendary Scratch. Yeah, okay. And Scarface is like this. Yo, Lee Chubb Rock is on the side. Like, uh. Oh, it's on, like. And I'm out. It's a video of it out. But I had already apologized before the video came out. And Scratch was.

[DJ Envy]

Scratch ain't backing down.

[Ali Siddiq]

And I'm. I'm wilding. And I'm like, yo, I don't want to hear Nothing. So he DJing. I don't want to hear this. I don't want. I want one because. Just. Okay, just think, if you just got back from Italy, you don't want to find out that you got pasta for dinner. I just got back from the East Coast. I don't hear nothing. East Coast. Cause y' all don't play enough south up here for me. So I'm like, I don't want to be. I don't want to be at 50:15 in the South. I'm in Houston on my block. And I'm hearing. I don't hear none of that. I don't hear none of it.

[DJ Envy]

Allow me to reintroduce myself.

[Ali Siddiq]

And I'm wilding. So you at the club in Houston. Yeah. And I'm wilding. And Scratch is like, yo, he stopped the music. Yo, you dang. Hearing the transitions. I don't care nothing about that. Play Fat Pack Luke. Damn, Slim. Pow wow. You know what I'm saying? Y' all going back and forth on the mic and. And how that stops. Scarface is looking at me like. Because he brought. He the one brought me over there. I was at a whole nother club having a good time. He said, yo, Lee, come over. It's the Willow Ridge reunion. 90s reunion. Lee, come over here. So me, Special Ed and B. Fine and Chubb Rock, we walk over. And, man, after. Soon as I heard the transition, I was like, I don't want it. I don't want it. And Scrappy was like, yo, man, what did you do? You talking all over my stuff. Like, man, I don't give a damn about that. And. But I want to apologize to D.J. scrapp. No, no. I wrote him a text. He'll show people the text I wrote him. I'm talking about the next day. My man was like, yo, boy, you was on one that made. And he showed me the video. I said, man, let me. Let me Scratch. I said, yo, bro, my apologies, man. I was on one, and. And then the video starts circulating. But they. People don't know. I apologize.

[DJ Envy]

I got to see this video. I ain't see that.

[Ali Siddiq]

I missed that, yo. And that. You. You just. And I. I know I was spazzing because when Scarface told me to chill, I just gave him the mic. And I looked at the crowd like this. Like, yo, don't nobody move. And Houston like, okay.

[DJ Envy]

So was the crowd into it before you got on the mic?

[Ali Siddiq]

Was they in the. Man, I'm not going through all that. I'm just. I apologize. This is what you wanted to hear, and you apologize about it. So, look, when the end of the video circulated, did Scratch get mad all over again? I don't know. I. I hadn't spoke with him, but I know. I apologize way early. Look, now, Envy, looking it up.

[Podcast Announcer]

He responded.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, he did. He accepted my apology, ap. He accepted my apology. But then the video wasn't out yet, though. Got it. Him, like, man, that's my type of.

[DJ Envy]

Carrying on right there.

[Ali Siddiq]

But I. But I already apologize, right? You know what I'm saying? And I looked at my press schedule. I said, okay, Breakfast Club. That'll be a good one to apologize again. Get it directly.

[DJ Envy]

You.

[Ali Siddiq]

Oh, you got on the stage. He said, I'm already on the stage. Don't do that, Envy. I was already on the stage. Look, he right next to him.

[Podcast Announcer]

I've been over at gate.

[DJ Envy]

Yo.

[Ali Siddiq]

What was you drinking? I don't want it. What the hell? Yo, but the. Okay, y' all gotta.

[DJ Envy]

I feel your pain, Ali.

[Ali Siddiq]

It's the.

[DJ Envy]

No, no, no.

[Ali Siddiq]

What's the mic? Yo, it's my last day of vacation. You see. Oh, man.

[DJ Envy]

Here's the thing, man. I feel Ali's pain. I love DJ Scratch, but I have been in South Carolina, where you got a DJ from, New York. And when they do Mop Annie up, they keep going. At least play the song.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, yeah.

[DJ Envy]

They just keep doing that over and over.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yes, man, Envy ain't here. Dj, he like, yo, Lee, you. Wow. That's. Wow. I don't even understand. And I used to be. I used to run a record. Do you know Scratch? That was the first time. No, that was my first time I met him. It was that. But, you know, I know his work. You know, I used to run a record pool, keep playing. He would have beat us all up, see, because we would have tried to jump Ali think he was just some drum, and he would have came out with boxing and tuned his whole. Scarface gave me the mic. I'm already on the mic. But now that. That would have been bad, though. It was in Houston. No, it was. No, bruh, we in. Let me, let me. Yeah, give me. I'm. I'mma put this out there. I'm playing. I remember the last time a dude said something to me in the club, in that same club, 50 15, and they let you back in. And the cops told him, yo, you are not going to survive this. And he ain't even going to tell you. Do you see that? Man ain't said nothing. I'm just looking at him like this. And everybody behind him is see that? And they like, bruh, do you understand where you are? You are in Third Ward. That man got a house right down the street, and you're on his block. It's no way to run you. It's no. Like, it's once. Once we get out of this club, damn. It's nowhere to hide. You on our me to block. That is funny. That is crazy. I'm glad you apologize. Yeah, just make sure the apology and say it.

[DJ Envy]

One issue in the video, trying to act like he don't see what's going on. At first.

[Ali Siddiq]

No. But did you see Ali Faye? Ali Face. Face? Really? Face. Said face pulled me to the side. He's like, yo, Lee. Hey, man, I brought you over here. I was like. But I was having a good time while I was at. You brought me over here and asked me to get on the mic. I. And then I was flying with. I was flying. When Blaster was DJing. You know what I'm saying? Def Jam. Blaster was DJing. It was all type. I was seeing Fat Pet. I was there. And then I. Dad, dad, dad. I'm like, no, I ain't feeling this. Not right now. And I was happy where I was at. And I was happy where I was at. Yes, but you apologize. But I did apologize. Scratch. D.J. scratch. I humbly apologize for stepping on your transitions. And, yeah, he was specific. You didn't hear what I did. You ain't hear the technique and all. I'm like, yeah, I don't give a. About that. I want. Look, south side. South side.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, talk to us about this applied advice pamphlet, man.

[Ali Siddiq]

Man, yeah, man. Don't call my pamphlet. You know, I see. I see what he did. Just. I called him for publishing. I called him for publishing.

[DJ Envy]

I connected you. I put you on here, man.

[Ali Siddiq]

Them people ain't hit me back or nothing. I hate nothing. He still look like a black publisher that he like. Look at, look. Look at the other book he published. Yeah, hard. I could have did it in hard back myself. Why you ain't do his like I want to? They ain't never.

[DJ Envy]

Hold on, hold on.

[Ali Siddiq]

Hit me back now. He should have pamphlet. 86 page pamphlet out the. That's cold blooded. He said, yeah, talk me. Tell me about this pamphlet. A whole. There's a whole book with a skew number and everything on. Like, say they got a park and then that got a. We got a table of context. Tell us about your book. I don't want to say nothing now. Tell me about. Tell me about your brochure.

[Podcast Announcer]

Printed in the United States of America.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, United States of America. That's cold. I love this. What is it? So it's applied advice. It's the. You know, people always ask me, ali, how did you get from point A to point B? And I say, well, these are the 13 people that I listen to their advice. You know, a lot of times people give you or ask for advice and they never use it. They get mad at you when something don't work out. Like, well, I tried to tell you. You know what I'm saying? So my mom, you know, she's in there. My mom, my dad's in there. Dick Gregory. Bruce Bruce, D.L. hughley.

[DJ Envy]

Mike Epps.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah. Rob Stapleton. Rob Stapleton, is that. Rob Stapleton is a huge reason. I remember when Rob Stapleton called me out of nowhere. It's like one of them calls you just get. It's maybe 06 Rob Stapleton calls and like, yo, you gotta get out them chitlin circuit rooms. I said, what? You know, but I'm making pretty good money in these chitlin circuit rooms. He said, bruh, it don't matter. You are too talented to just be in those chitlin circuit rooms. You should go to the mainstream room. Say, now you're gonna have to take a pay cut. You gonna have to take a huge pay cut. But it's gonna work out for you. Two weeks later, Malik S. Calls me and DL Wants a host at the Houston Improv, which I headline this club before for a one nighter. And I'm like, I go back as the host. I'm like, man, what they paying? He's like, $50. What? I said, per show. And he's like, yeah, so? And I'm thinking, man, I make way more money than that. And then Rob Stapleton popped my head. So then I take the gig. DL, I do the show with DL. Then he asked me, yo, what you got next week? I said, I'm chilling, I ain't got nothing. So he takes me to Austin. It's probably four white. It's probably four black people in the whole building, you know what I'm saying? And three of them in the green room. Me, D.L. and Derek Keena, and one guy that's a waiter, do that show with him. I do off and on with DL for 2006, 2007, DL becomes the host of Def Jam. In 2008, I'm on the show. I'm the season finale, you know what I'm saying? That year I remember because it was a season finale. The Wire and Def Jam, the same at the same time. Then I just. The clubs, I'm in the clubs and I'm doing an hour in front of DL and DL coming to an hour 10. It's just two man shows after that. So it's like the training and being with DL taught me how to be very classy in my approach to how I dealt with the GMs, how I dealt with the managers, how I dealt with the wait staff, you know, because when you think about it, the clubs promote from within. So that, that, that waitress that you mistreated, now she's the manager of the club.

[DJ Envy]

That's real.

[Ali Siddiq]

You know what I'm saying? Or like the, like the big shout out to Raymond Cook. He is, he runs all of the improvs in Texas. Raymond was a server when I came to the improv, but now he's the head guy, you know, because they want, they want you to know the ins and outs of the whole entire business. So people go there and they, some comics go, and they mistreat these people, I'm saying, and don't know what they'll be six years down the road or five years down the road. And they. And young comics, man, that's on the road with other people, they done start becoming elitist. Cause they thinking that who you're featuring for, that's not you, you know what I'm saying? Like they. I hear these young comics, oh, man, you in clubs, you know how much bread you can make in a club? Yeah, you must say. Cause you've never headlined the club, so you don't know what the check look like, you know what I'm saying? So I know Baltimore, when I came to Baltimore Comedy Factory, we did eight sold out shows. Crazy. That check was so crazy. And I was like, yeah, I don't want to do no. No theater in Baltimore. I'm good. And dude's like, yo, you can do this every time. I say every time.

[DJ Envy]

People don't realize how much money comedians make in them clubs and don't realize. Well, comedians are living like, they. Y' all be balling on the low.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, we. Yes. It's some people that, you know, that came to the crib and they was like, so this. This. This you. I was like, I got, like, six of these. Like, you got six properties. Yeah, I can stay all over Houston. You know what I'm saying? Hey, this your car? Yeah, this what. This. What we doing. And, like, yo, but I've been rich a long time. I've been rich, like, twice, you know, illegally. And legally, you know, just. Just legally. Just. I just sleep better, you know, so, you know, I. When people be. I. I listen to people on the Internet, and people be talking fly. I'm like, okay, just. Just put your bread up versus, you know, my bread. I'm talking about liquid. I ain't talking about no. And then my stocks and bond. That's other thing. But you talking about liquid. We can put that on the table.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah, and that's what's so funny, because if you flip it right, you got probably comedians who do a lot of stuff online that people will think because they're getting all this attention, they got the bread. But it's actually the other way around. It's the comedians that are constantly working in them clubs that's actually making the money.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah. And working, period. You know, it's. You can be a writer on a show and be doing well, and a comic that's in the club is still doing better than you. Yeah. And then when you. When that show was over, now you trying to find work, and the guy who's been on the road is still making a check. You know, even when I'm practicing, my bag is crazy. Even when I'm practicing, before I get to, like, I did, what, five weeks, all of August in the. This first part of August, all in the clubs now the theater. I'm back. I'm at the Tropicana on Friday. We've been sold out for, what, three weeks before I even got there. They said, you want to do another show? I'm like, nah, I'm cool. I just want to go home. I've been on the road for nine days. But when I'm all my checks in my backpack, I don't cash my money until I get home because I want to go to My private banker. I want to walk in and watch them people be. This is the type of stuff I get off on that people be sitting in there waiting for people. But I just walk in and ladies just like. And I'm like, oh, how long y' all been in here? That's. That's my. That's the only thing that I make me happy is small, you know, luxuries. I don't need nothing. I don't need nothing big, I'm saying. But I love that. Ali, what made you become a comedian, man? This is what I think that I was good at. I think that me wanting people to be happy and. And learn from stuff that I was saying was kind of my. My push. Because when people say I started in prison, I was on close custody. They. They made me the SSI on closed custody. And they had no tv. And so when I was working over there, these boys been locked. They lock up 23 hours a day. You know what I'm saying? They get out just to shower. And they've been back there a long time. And it started with me just wanting them to have they food hot. You know, they would bring this food and it would be cold. And I always knew this is why they be over here tripping. Cause y' all don't give them no clean clothes. And. Cause the difference with clean clothes in the prisons like this. So I. Cause I'm not on close cousins. I have the ability to go in there and lobby for some brand new underwear. This is when I knew I was never going back to prison. Cause they. All your underwear is in a warehouse. You know, they. They wash them all together. So then you. When you get out the shower, they just throw you underwear. And several people didn't wore these underwear. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So you get some new ones straight out the box. You. They. They will never see the laundry again. You keep them and you wash them out yourself. So they was giving these dudes the worst underwear. Cause I had to pass out all they stuff. I'm like, yo. I'd be like, yo. No. Somebody that blew up the satchel off these. Wow. Yo, who knew? Some largest. But so I would went. I went to the laundry. I'm like, yo, man, let me get a box for them clean underwear, man. For these dudes. You know what I'm saying? Let me make sure they food hot. Cause y' all not. What y' all not gonna do is throw defecation on me like he was doing the rest of the dude. And they was Only doing that because they was getting mistreated. So I started letting them read the paper. Cause I had. I would read the paper every day, let them read the paper. Then I started telling them what was going on in the unit. And since they had no tv, this is my contribution. I would watch Martin so intense, because I was gonna go back and reenact the whole episode for them. Cause they ain't had no tv. So after Martin went off, I didn't have nothing to give him. So I just started doing commentary about what was going on in the rest of the prison. I sit there with that broomstick and be like, yo, it's all three runs and they on the ball. What. What. What else happened? And so. So you did start comedy in prison? Yeah, but that's not starting. I started just joking. Comedy Cafe. That wasn't. That wasn't saying that. This is me just telling stories, but I was. I was very.

[DJ Envy]

Man, that's you doing comedy. Your whole style of storytelling. You're not a punchline person, right?

[Podcast Announcer]

You just storytelling.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, I just, you know, reenact the situation. But.

[DJ Envy]

It just hit Ali like, damn, I did start.

[Ali Siddiq]

I wasn't getting paid for the shit. So it wasn't comedy then. Yeah, you wasn't getting no check. So the. The other thing about. So people would say that I was funny because I would stop a lot of altercation. Like, after the first two years of me wilding, my whole mindset was, now, if you want to get beat up, don't go to school. And everybody know that it's about me. Hey, I'm gonna come to you. Hey, bro, you. What's your. What your education looking like? Because if you stay in here and you just doing prison stuff, when you get in the world, you're gonna be back. So you might want to get a ged. You might want to get the trade or something. Because if you don't, everybody else on this block goes to school to do a trade. You gonna be stealing. You're gonna be still out people locker. I don't want you to get killed, bro. And go to school. And if you don't, bro, you know. You know there's a fight gonna come with this. And you. You just not gonna fight me. You gonna fight Mitch, you gonna fight Brian, you gonna. And everybody like, yeah, bro, we go to school over here. And this is the mandate. When we was on tour, rage unit, you had to go to school, because if you didn't, your mind is going to drift into something crazy. But when people tried to fight I would just rationally just come over. I'm like, hey, y' all about to fight. I leave, man, what you want? I said, bro, I'm just. Can I ask a question? Damn, y' all so hostile. So I just want to ask. Okay, y' all about to fight. Which one of y' all are willing to lose this fight twice? What the hell you talking about? I said. Cause one of y' all gonna win. One of y' all gonna win for sure. And then the cos are gonna come in and beat the out of both y'. All. So who want to lose? Dang, twice. People start laughing, then they start thinking about, like, yeah, that's what's gonna happen. Like, yo, unless it's something major, bruh, it's not worth it. Cause them cosmos, man, you know, it's. I always think about it like this. You know, on. On Bugs Bunny, when he would hit that dude on the head, he asked you, how many lumps you want? One or two? They gonna give you six. Damn, that stick, that's thick. And them choking you out and all that. And I'll just be sitting there. Look. Look at you now. Now, look at you getting choked. Now, I told you over there, you ain't had to get all that. You ain't had to get drugged. You looking bad, fam. And when they bring you back, you're like, look at your head. And I ain't gonna ease up. I'm like, look at your head. But see, I warned you. So you went from the one wilding to teaching other Wilders not to wild out. Right? And then you also seem like you did a lot of mental work on yourself as well. Like, what makes you angry now? Like, does anything make you mad? Oh, man, this is where the work really happened.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

DJ Scratch PLAYING East coast after that.

[Ali Siddiq]

Years later, right now, I was just wild. But this is what makes me upset now that I'm trapped in this prison of always having to let sucker dudes make it. You know what I'm saying? You know, it's always, Ali, you better than that. But that's the problem why dudes keep being suckers. Because they always. Somebody always talking somebody down from, you.

[DJ Envy]

Know, putting hands on.

[Ali Siddiq]

So in incarcerated, you got. You can't say nothing false about somebody and not have to see. You can't be running your face and then not have to see that person. Yeah. And you can't. It's like. It's. People in this society don't understand consequences. So you can say whatever you want to say and be disrespectful on that Internet and be disrespectful interviews and do all the rest of that. But you. You. What I call talking from a safe space. If you talking with a crew, you talking on the Internet or you talking out of town. You know what I'm saying? Anything I've ever said, I didn't say it straight up to a person. I'm saying. And if you want to see it, bro, I'm. I'm not willing to lose. No. No scuffles. So. And it's. And it's whatever. We can. And we can do it in the ring or we can do. We can do it somewhere. Control. But I'm in this prison where I have to keep letting people make it. So when people say something crazy, it's a lot of. It's a lot of talk that happens with me, with people. And I respect, man, big up to DL And David Banner, because it's a lot of Dre. It's a lot of talk that has to happen with me because just. It just irritates me that people can just say something so crazy, and then people start being on their side without no facts. And you like. Yeah. And I can say I'm cool, but I don't see you. Then when I see you, I don't think you know what on site mean. Yeah. And I don't think that you. These dudes that be talking. Dick Gregory in that book told me this. Yo, man, these people, you gonna. Bruh, you gonna make it if you can control your attitude because of this. These are industry people that's playing something. I was this in the 80s, you know what I'm saying? I was a formidable opponent in the 80s. Then when I got busted in the early 90s, this is. I was already in the streets way before New Jack City. A movie didn't make me be in the streets, so. And what I did inside, man, I. I really. I really gotta pray for people and. And. And cry for people because I'm like, yo, man, what I do to you. You. You like. You don't really. You don't really understand because I've already done it. Like, I'm not. I'm not playing with you. And you don't have, like, in this. On My Children. You really don't have enough people to stop me from doing something to you. You really. I don't care nothing about your security, bro. I don't care nothing about none of that. But what has to keep me together is me. I have to. I have my children. Have to come into my head. It's been one time I let somebody puppeteer me to so much violence that I was gonna do something to this whole family. And it wasn't no secret. Like, they see me and I'm telling them, yo, listen, your people started this with me. And I'm by myself. I'm not coming with, man. I ain't got. Man, man, yeah, yeah. He is here for the people, not for me to save me from myself, because I will get out there and he know me. I'm not gonna say nothing. I'm gonna be like this. I saw the Street Sat down with Carmelo Anthony on 7:00pm in Brooklyn. He was talking about the situation with Cat Williams. Yeah, I don't want to. Even I don't get. I don't want to give him no press. I got you. Yeah, because that's. That's a whole nother. And then the first thing people do is come to me, Yo, Lee. That I say, man, you know what's crazy?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

There's something special about folks who come through without being asked. Like your coworker surprising you with your favorite coffee just because. Or your friend handing you the aux cord the moment you get into the car. No debate, no fight, just positive vibes. That kind of love, it just hits different. And that's exactly the energy. AT&T is on with their new guarantee. If there's ever a network interruption, AT&T will proactively credit you for a full day of service. No calls, no. No emails, no jumping through hoops. It's just handled. It's like the universe saying, I got you. Except this time it's not the stars aligning. It's your network. And let's be real, that connection is everything. Whether you're holding down the group chat, checking in on your parents scrolling TikTok, your network's gotta come through. And if there's a problem, AT&T is on the case. No stress, no drama, just real backup when it counts. Credit for fiber downtime lasting 20 minutes or more or wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers. Restrictions and exclusions apply. See att.com guaranty for full details. AT&T. Connecting changes everything.

[Noah DeBorosso]

I'm Noah. I'm 13, and as you might have seen from the news, I got a podcast and I explain those fake headlines like your uncle would, like your cousin would, if he actually did the research. Honestly, adults don't ask the right questions. Now, you know, with Noah de Barrasso is a show about influence, who's got it, how they use it, and what it means. For the rest of you, it's not the news. It's what the news should be if someone Gen Z or Gen Alpha made it. When I'm watching everything.

[Ali Siddiq]

Sheesh.

[Noah DeBorosso]

Majority of the youth 18 through 24 say they trust Republicans more than Democrats to fund the economy.

[DJ Envy]

You kidding me?

[Noah DeBorosso]

Politics is wild and I'm definitely not here to tame it, but I'm here to make sense of it. Just what's happening, why it matters, and what it means for us. Bring your brain. Listen to now youw Know with Noah de Barrasta on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Ali Siddiq]

We all know, right? Genius is evenly distributed. Opportunity is not.

[Will Lucas]

It's Black Business Month and Black tech green money is tapping in. I'm Will Lucas, spotlighting black founders, investors and innovators building the future one idea at a time. Let's talk legacy tech and generational wealth.

[Ali Siddiq]

I don't think any person of any gender, race, ethnicity should alter who they are, especially on an intellectual level or a talent level, to make someone else feel comfortable just because they are the majority in this situation and they need employment. So for me, I'm always going to be honest in saying that we need to be unapologetically ourselves. If that makes me a vocal CEO and people consider that rocking the boat, so be it.

[Will Lucas]

To hear this and more on the power of black innovation and ownership, listen to Black Tech Green Money from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Janae (Cheekies)]

Hi everyone, it's Janae AKA Cheekies from Cheekies and Chill Podcast and I'm launching an all new mini podcast series called Sincerely Janae. Sure, I'm a singer, author, businesswoman and podcaster, but at the end of the day, I am here, human. And that's why I'm sharing my ups and downs with you guys. Hi guys. I was sitting here recording episodes of Dear Cheekies and Cheekies and Chill and I just had to take a time out and purge my thoughts and feelings here on Sincerely Jana because I've been so emotional lately, you guys. Whether I'm in my feels, I've just had a breakthrough with my therapist or I've just had a really deep conversation with my siblings or I'm in glam getting ready for an award show, I'm sharing my most intimate thoughts with you on the podcast. You guys know I always keep it real with you guys but this time I'm taking it to the next level. Listen to Cheekies and chill on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ali Siddiq]

When somebody can spin a narrative from what the actual problem was. Yeah. This ain't about me knowing you or you knowing me. This ain't about that. It's about you challenge somebody to something and then I challenge you to the same million dollar boxing match. It's in the ring. Well. And then you go on Willie Dave. I thought he was a celebrity. I would give him the match. Damn the celebrity. I got the bread. Yeah. Because guess what? You can hide behind all of that. Who knew who Buster Douglas was when he fought Mike Tyson?

[DJ Envy]

I didn't.

[Ali Siddiq]

Nope. Who knew who Roach was when he got ready to fight Tank?

[DJ Envy]

I knew Roach.

[Ali Siddiq]

I didn't know Roach, Matt. We talking about his Tank though. Everybody's not on the same level in boxing. That's right. But if you, if you, somebody call you out, it is what it is.

[DJ Envy]

I'm lying. I didn't know Roach.

[Ali Siddiq]

I believed him because he was in me like before. I knew he.

[DJ Envy]

I watched boxing, but I didn't know who ro.

[Ali Siddiq]

I, I avly watched boxing, didn't know who Roach was. But then I, I'm like, oh. I went back in his career. Like I didn't know who Wilder was cuz he hadn't fought. Nobody knew who Wilder was.

[DJ Envy]

Talk when you talk about back in, when you talk about when Wilder, when.

[Ali Siddiq]

Wilder first jumped on the scene, I didn't know who he was cuz he hadn't fought nobody that I even was paying attention to.

[DJ Envy]

Until he got Knockout streak.

[Ali Siddiq]

Until he got he. Who is he knocking out?

[DJ Envy]

I mean a bunch of nobodies. But at the time the heavyweight division really didn't have nothing. And he was like, you know, loud from Alabama, the bomb squad. I paid, I paid Wild a lot of attention back then.

[Ali Siddiq]

I just knew him because I know.

[DJ Envy]

Him to this day.

[Ali Siddiq]

I remember that to this day. That's, that's how. And that was later. But I like, I, when I saw Wild, I was like, oh, he gonna lose to this, to this, this boy because of the, of the lineage. Because Emmanuel Stewart son. Emmanuel Stewart was training him then. Emmanuel Stewart son. Saw, I'm saying now, he ain't gonna be Fury because Fury gonna know how to box. And, and anybody know about Manual Stewart? All boxes, all heavyweights over six foot. Emmanuel Stewart has trained and they have become champions. Yeah. Yeah. Now Wilder had a chance to train with Manual Stewart, but I guess the, you know, whatever didn't work out. And then I looked at his legs. I'm like, them some little legs to be. And boxing is in the feet. Boxing in the feet. So it's kind of like when dudes was locked. When we was locked up, if a dude hit you with his best shot and you don't drop, he know he's in trouble after that. I didn't hit you with everything I had and you ain't. I remember this dude stole me. I was looking this way. I turn around, pow. I'm like, is that what you did? And then he started running, and I'm like. And I had the jump rope, and I Right, right around his neck. And, man, if them CEOs, when they came, it had been bad for him. But you. Because you stole me. And I. As soon as you steal me, I already know you scared. If you come with somebody else, I know you scared. And then. And that's from my grandmother. And then I got into some dudes, eight dudes. And my grandmother say, well, go back out there because they scared. It's only you. Now she was halfway right. Three of them wasn't scared at all. Three of them was. Read about that business.

[DJ Envy]

Told me that a long time ago. He said, whenever you got a problem with a person, you approach that person and you pull them to the side and you have a conversation, you walk up on them with a bunch of people. He know that you really ain't serious.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah. Cause I don't walk up on nobody, no bunch of people. I'm like, yo, let me holler at you real quick. Step over here. And I ain't finna make no scene. And none of that. I'm like, hey, bro, listen, you said something that was out of pocket. You know what I'm saying? And then this is the other thing, is when other people jump on the bandwagon about clout. Clout, what I need. How does that even equate to clout? It don't even equate. Like, it's no dollars that come from that. It's nobody gonna, oh, let me go see him now that they. That they got it. No, but. So you forget how long I've been doing it, so why would I need clout? And I'm talking about. And when I hear veterans saying things, I'm like, oh, so you jealous of what's happening right now. So now you trying to pick a side in order to get clout. You know how crazy it is for somebody who always report about what other People doing. To talk about somebody else. Trying to get clout. So you trying to get clout. That's what you do, right? That's what you do on the radio. Right? That's what you do on whatever you doing it on. But it's a funny thing, especially when you know in your head the truth.

[DJ Envy]

But on my Two Sons, you start off the special by talking about how you don't want to fight no more at 50.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, but that's. That's on the special. I don't want. I didn't want to fight my son. I ain't want to fight my son. That's on the special. That's different, you know, but. Yeah, my two sons. Yeah, but, you know, my. My hand. You know, I. I don't. I don't want to fight nobody, though. I really don't. Yeah. And then. But I don't want. I don't want to be. I have a. I have trouble with people lying on me, though, because. And people like. Well, that's. Why is it so important I say it because of this. Emmett Till happened because of a lie. You know what I'm saying? It's. A lot of things happen because of one lie. Propaganda is one of the biggest things that happened to black life. Slavery was one thing, but the propaganda of what was sold about us after that is the most crippling thing.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah. They made a whole movie called Birth of a Nation came out in 1915, and a lot of the negative stereotypes that, you know that. That were put on black people were because of that film. A film called Birth of a Nation came out in 1915, I believe it was. And they made us. The whole stereotypes about fried chicken. Everything came from that film.

[Ali Siddiq]

Damn.

[Podcast Announcer]

But I guess I do have one question. You know, you said you don't want to talk about it much. What has the conversation that Cat Williams is having done to you because you're so successful in booking all the shows and making all the money. So, like, what does him clearing up anything do for you?

[Ali Siddiq]

It's not about him clearing up. It's about the lie that's being told on you. You know, it don't work for me.

[Podcast Announcer]

That's about the opening of the show versus, like, how that happened, you being on the show.

[Ali Siddiq]

On what show?

[Podcast Announcer]

So wasn't the conversation that you. You had a contract with the club, which is how you were opening.

[Ali Siddiq]

See, see, you're saying that's the. Against the lie.

[DJ Envy]

You're saying I don't even know the story.

[Ali Siddiq]

So that's the. That's the lie.

[Podcast Announcer]

Yeah. So the story that from what he said and what I read was that he was saying that you only opened up for him because you had a contract with the club, not because it was something that was a part orchestrated within the show.

[Ali Siddiq]

Then why. And that's the. And watch this. Nobody is smart enough to say, well, why would he have to pay him then? If. If I had a contract with the club, with the. With the venue, why would he have to pay me? If you already.

[Podcast Announcer]

If he already came, but you didn't cash a check?

[Ali Siddiq]

If never cash a check. But why would he have to give me a check if I have a contract with the venue? I've never had a contract with no venue to open up. That's why you would never find another comic that said, oh, he opened up for me at the Relying arena. I've never even opened up for nobody there. So the lie is he had a contract with the venue. That's why he was there. At first, I wasn't on the other. The other version. I wouldn't even own the show. So now I'm on the show. But it's because of this. Then it's the. The lie is I walked into the green room and told his whole crew, I'm doing 30 minutes and ain't not none of y' all can follow me. You talking about who don't even talk to nobody at the shows. And who are the five people? Now you got to get your crew to lie to be. Still be a part of your crew. To say who the five people? Ashima Franklin ain't gonna say that. She ain't gonna say that because that's a lie. Which. Which is what? Which. What is your problem? Which one is the problem? At first you didn't know me. Now I got a contract with the venue. Where you get that from? You just pulling out your ass to try to make yourself look better because you don't want that ass whooping that. I asked you what. Because I don't even understand. Then you said you put me out of the club. You didn't put me out of. I walked out to get my. My partner ghetto, and they wouldn't let me back in. But I performed for two nights. That's the confusing part. But if I. If I had a contract with the venue, wouldn't the venue pay me? And let you back in? And let me back in. Why would I be there? Say, Ralph, you come open this door.

[DJ Envy]

Did you really not cash the check Cat gave you?

[Ali Siddiq]

Man, I threw that in the Trash.

[DJ Envy]

How much was it?

[Ali Siddiq]

$1,500.

[DJ Envy]

That's a lot of money. That's a stimmy.

[Ali Siddiq]

It wasn't a lot of money for me. Damn. I was only there because I was asked to be there. If I wasn't asked to be there, I would have never came there. Oh. And the other part of the story was I came there and I was looking to perform. Nigga looking to perform in Houston. Why would I be looking to perform? Not when that was this. And then what's crazy is he's saying it as if this is modern day. This is in 2014. 15. Before you had all the crew with you. Then we don't know each other. Right. It's not even about us not knowing each other, but if people go back to Prairie View A and M university, damn near 20, what, four or five. It's me, Cat and Alex Thomas performing there. Thousand kids with pictures. Before that, we in Shreveport. Like, I don't even understand prior to that, when your name was Cat in the Hat, I booked you and Rodney Perry at my comedy spot because I heard that. That you wasn't doing that well. And then I. I reached out. Sharon Ball. Want to tell anybody? He faxed me his headshot. You know what a fax headshot look like? It's just like a. A blurred copy of you with a hat, a top hat on and a cane. He faxed it. It's early 2000s, okay? And. And I never told the story because I couldn't remember who the other comic was. And me and Rodney Perry ended up talking. And Rodney's like, man, I don't even understand this because it was me. You. And I said, what. What. What you talking about, Rodney? He said, yeah, you booked us at this spot called Cloud9. You was doing this thing called Uptown Saturday Night. I said, goddamn, Rodney Perry. You were the other comic. So I didn't. I didn't even understand. I'm confused.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't even know where it started. Like, where did it start from?

[Podcast Announcer]

It started from the. Was there any boxing match?

[Ali Siddiq]

It started from me. Accepted. If you challenge Kevin to a boxing match, somebody who is doing whatever he's doing, he got time for you. Why don't you let me get that match for that million dollars? Because I got time, and I wanna. I wanna solve this. That. That happened at the Houston Reliant Arena.

[DJ Envy]

This is what you said on Shay Shay.

[Ali Siddiq]

This is what. This is what I said on Shay Shay. This is what I said. Because my story ain't changed since it happened, okay?

[Podcast Announcer]

But it was the show. And then it was the boxing match conversation.

[Ali Siddiq]

No, it was the boxing match first.

[Podcast Announcer]

Oh, I thought the boxing match happened after. Okay.

[Ali Siddiq]

And then. Then it's all this. This. This ridiculousness about this show. I'm like, bro, he said that on. Yeah, but he was on Willie D first with a whole another story. I ain't going to lie. Hey, all these stories.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I ain't going to want box you either, bro.

[DJ Envy]

Why would I put y' all on the phone together?

[Podcast Announcer]

No, he offered to, though, right?

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, he. And he. And I want to be there. I don't trust you. I said, man, you can trust me. I'm not gonna. I'm. And I'm not. I just wanted to see what it is, though, because now. And now you didn't say something way out of pocket. And I'm like, oh, okay. I say so. And then you said. What do you say? On site mean on site? Stop it.

[DJ Envy]

I don't want to say. That would look.

[Ali Siddiq]

Stop it. Like, yo, bro, stop it. You know what I'm saying? And like, yo, man. And. And at my worst. At my worst. Hey, man, bruh, you don't. This is. I'm with. I'm with whatever, the ring or the street, but I would prefer in that ring.

[DJ Envy]

You can't beat him in a race, though.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, right, Man, I don't give a damn about this nigga.

[DJ Envy]

That fast as shit out.

[Ali Siddiq]

You gotta be. When you run from. You gotta be.

[DJ Envy]

Now, look, I was looking at this Netflix thing. You post it. It said what? We watched the Netflix engagement report. I thought this was dope. From December 2024 to June 2025, if your specials were on Netflix, you would be. You would have three of them in the top nine of the specials that they put out from December 2024 to June 2025. That's impressive, bro.

[Ali Siddiq]

Those are Netflix. Those are Netflix numbers. Right?

[DJ Envy]

So Netflix.

[Ali Siddiq]

I didn't.

[DJ Envy]

I. I saw you posted, but it's from Netflix.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah, that's Netflix numbers. This. And this is where people talk about clout and the rest of this. I've put out a special every year that the opposition has put out a special, too. Those are Netflix numbers. It's a special that's not on there. Somebody's special not on there in viewership. Who's special missing? It's not a special that's on there. I'm just. No cap, no flex, nothing. I know one thing in viewership, it's not especially. It's the special that's not on there.

[DJ Envy]

Was that the same time, though?

[Ali Siddiq]

Exact same time. Yeah. It's a special. That ain't on there.

[DJ Envy]

What? To be fair, Ali, this is from December 2024 to June 2025.

[Ali Siddiq]

Cat came out the week after mine the week before mine the week before it did.

[DJ Envy]

This cat came out in April.

[Podcast Announcer]

This though, the first. The IMDb is saying April 9th, 2024.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

So he wouldn't be on it. I'm just telling you it came out in April. This is from December 24th to June 2025. Cat came out April of last year.

[Ali Siddiq]

2024.

[DJ Envy]

You ain't gotta look at me like you look at scratch.

[Ali Siddiq]

You do know. You do know. I dropped a special in 2024. He dropped. I dropped two specials in 2024. Every year.

[DJ Envy]

What I'm saying, the three that you dropped are all from 2025, though.

[Ali Siddiq]

That's the 25 list. The 24 list saves the same thing.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, I ain't look at.

[Podcast Announcer]

I see here for cat Williams is May 4, 2020.

[DJ Envy]

Yeah. The one I'm looking at is from December 24 to June 2025.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah. You know what came out of May? Domino Effect. Domino Effect 3.

[DJ Envy]

But that ain't what I bought that up for. I bought that up to say that you got three specials in the top 10.

[Ali Siddiq]

I just know I ain't doing no chicken shacks. Positivity, please. All I know I ain't doing no chicken shacks. Somebody said, I'm in a chicken shack, it said, jess, I don't even want to talk about it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Give him no prayer.

[Ali Siddiq]

No problem. I know. Then hold on.

[DJ Envy]

This is big, though. Your specials outperform 99% of all Netflix specials.

[Ali Siddiq]

Wow.

[DJ Envy]

That's big, man. That's huge. And My Two Sons is in the top five.

[Ali Siddiq]

That's right. And Rugged right behind. And then the one. The one I produce, Marcus D. Wiley, is 9. And I produced that. Completely independent. And completely independent. I know a lot of times people. This is one thing about black people. They always say, you need to be independent. You need to be independent, but want you to be white. Endorsed. That's the other part about it. They want you to be endorsed. Unless you with a major. Like, I don't have an agent, you know, I don't have. No. I'm not assigned to an agency, you know, So I just have my manager, my role manager, me, you know, and my. My publicity team, and then my production crew that I work with. Big shout out to Eric Abrams. It's. And Matt Shula. It's the. What we doing is like, I'm about to start distributing other people's specials, turning my YouTube into a network. Not just. Just. Not just mine. So it was. The test was. Was the same program that I would do for myself. Could I do that for somebody else? And Marcus D. Wiley was the testing ground. So. And it's not just that. Well, we. We didn't just shoot his special. If you look, Marcus, we shot his special, and then we marketed him. And then in June, Marcus went on his own tour. See, that's the difference between how you. You teach somebody to fish versus constantly giving them fish. I'm. I don't find no. No pride in. Oh, you know, Charlemagne been opening up for me for eight years. I die, Charlemagne can't go on the road by itself. But if you out with me for two years, and we build, and we build you, and we give you your own. Your own lane, and then we market you in that own lane, and then we. We lobby our relationships to put you in these clubs by yourself, and then you do that for two years, and then in two years, you in the theater by yourself. You know, Marcus shoot a new special in September. You know, we producing this new joint in September. So that's the way that you. You actually help somebody, not hold them hostage with you for eight, nine years, and then they can't go fish on their own. You know, that's. That's a. That's a crazy mentality. DL Knew I was leaving. Bill Bellamy knew I was leaving. I was with DL for four years. I was with Bill for four years. But I. And Bill always called me Bobby Brown. I'm like, yo, I was leaving the audition. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. I was out. And so in that concept, when it's other comics, it's other comedy friends that I have that I want to produce their specials. And this is where you start to understand the industry. It's some people who done sent me their specials, and I didn't had. Why you gotta be so bold? You ain't like it. No, I ain't say I ain't like it. It just wasn't. It wasn't on brand. So I gotta go. I got to. It's not an excuse. I was.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Excuse me.

[Ali Siddiq]

It doesn't fit the brand. Watch it right now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Like, I knew he didn't like it.

[DJ Envy]

No, I had some corporate to say, too. It don't fit the brand.

[Ali Siddiq]

Bring like you said, it was a pamphlet, not a book. I love it. It's like, you got to tell Your friends like, hey, man, look, I don't think this is your. I don't think you want to be introduced like this. You kind of want to come out a little stronger than, Than this. I don't want to hear.

[DJ Envy]

That's real, though. Deja Bell told Donnell that.

[Ali Siddiq]

And in a, In a. I have to say, you did not.

[DJ Envy]

No, it was. Donnell did his special during COVID and by the time it was time to come out, it was. It was kind of dated, like the material and like that. So Dave was like, it's not it. This ain't it. You should, you should go back and do it again.

[Ali Siddiq]

Okay.

[Podcast Announcer]

Why you pause like that?

[Ali Siddiq]

Because he did not have to just throw Dono under the bus like that.

[DJ Envy]

Didn't he? He.

[Ali Siddiq]

Said that. He said it up here anyway. How you laughing like that, man? Get out of here, man. It's one of them things that, you know.

[DJ Envy]

You want to swing on Donnell, too.

[Ali Siddiq]

No, I like Donnell, Donald. Cool. It's just with me, your writing, you gonna have to up your pen, you know, with me, in order to produce your special, it has to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. It has to have a through line because a set is not a special. You know, if people go on my YouTube, I never called. What was it? What was that? Don't judge a book by its cover. I never called it a special. I never called PTA a special. It's a show, it's a set, but it's not a special. The specials are Domino Effect one through four, and then Rugged and My Two Sons and, and, and I did my. My two songs in Rugged to Show. Man, Don't. Don't try to lock me in no prison box. Before I ever did Mexican Got on Boots, I had been doing stand up for about 15 years. And I, and I, and I did it because I didn't want to get caught up in the whole prison stigma. Oh, is a prison. So I never did any of the stories. So when I, my friends had heard them stories a thousand times, and I remember Bill's like, yo, man, if you don't ever do this story, bro, I'm going to kill you. You know what I'm saying? Because this man got on boots and then this story about feast, and I still haven't done feasts. And that. That's the, that's one of the funniest stories that. And then Brown. Brown and win is funny, too. The bodybuild big dudes doing bodybuilding and, and had me judging the contest.

[DJ Envy]

Give us one man you gotta give us one for you. Go, man. Feed some around in the wind. One of them.

[Ali Siddiq]

Brown and winning on my Instagram is a cartoon now. But Feast. Feast is different. Feast is like 4:11, about 5 foot dude, but he has a huge afro that he. He ties down with a. With a T shirt.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I was gonna say Charlemagne till he.

[Ali Siddiq]

Said the Afro, but go ahead. He. He pushes down on a T shirt, but his afro was huge. This dude. This is why you gotta watch your mouth. This dude about 6, 3, 6, 4. We on. We all in the cafeteria eating. And then we heard, can you. You can cuss up here. I don't like her. Sorry, yo. He said, give me some more pancakes. And we knew who was on pancakes that day because Feast worked in the kitchen. And he. We knew who was on pancakes. And we heard, bitch, give me some more pancakes. And this is when you kind of know that you were in trouble. When the whole cafeteria quiet, all the races. All the races are quiet, like white, Mexican, Asian, black. We was like, give me some more pancakes. I say, well, maybe Feast. This is what I said in my head. Maybe Feast took a break and he ain't on the pancakes. And I looked, and Feast was on them pancakes. I was sad. Oh, dude came and sat down, and the Mexicans came to him first. Hey, bro, go home. You know, you need to go apologize to Feast. And he said, loud, man. That little. Oh, my God. And I said this. Said it again. I turned to somebody, I said this said fizz again. White boy was like, yo, yo, my man. Yo, yo, yo, listen, bro, you might want to go apologize to face. I ain't apologizing that. This keeps saying it. I'm like, I'm. My head is burning. I'm like, this is. Wow. And they. They want him to go apologize because they don't want to stop the flow or whatever they got coming in. So he get on the block. And I come to him, I say, yo, my man. Straight up. I'm just being, you know, for real. You should go apologize. Beast that said, man, you ain't Feast. Oh, man. Damn me. Damn, that's wrong. I go back over, I said, don't nobody say nothing. Don't nobody say nothing. And everybody went to commissary. I'm talking about. And bust a whole 60. Hey, let me get. Let me get 40 suits. Let me get. Let me get coffee. Let me get. Let me get some letters. Let me get all my shit. Because we're going to be on lockdown. We're going to be on lockdown I know what this gonna be, man. Our doors roll at 4:30 in the morning. It's 5:20. Them doors ain't pop Marcelli, this old dude to my God damn it. I ain't get to go to commissary. I said, yeah, it's gonna be rough. Damn, man. When they start calling Muslim brothers out to sell, to talk, say, so tell me what happened to cafeteria. I said, and I'm in there talking loud. I don't know what happened. I don't know what happened. Been in my cell all day, man. Feast is in his cell. And Feast been there since. Feast has the old typewriter like the shit that. Bam, he got that Harriet Tubman typewriter. And we looking at Feasts, and Feast looking like this. And Feast don't talk. And Feast mouth to me, said, feast been there since he was 16 years old. This man is in his late 30s, bro. This ain't who you want to play with. And then they call the code and we saw the situation. And I'm like that warden, like, do you know what happened, man? I was in my cell. I'm not even on that block, but we could imagine what. What happened. Feast wasn't playing that.

[DJ Envy]

So what happened?

[Podcast Announcer]

Is the man so long.

[Ali Siddiq]

You know. Yeah, we don't disclose that type of information. No radio. No, we don't do that. Damn. Yeah. Ask me that off air. Oh, my God. Just know. Don't nobody call Feast. No, you don't call no man out his name. Not in there, because you can't. You can't. The echo's too loud. Because if one person. You let one person call you out your name. You on a unit with 3,000 people. You got 3,000 people calling you out your name. Your. You think, oh, I'm strong, all right. That's just one dude. Nah, your mental capacity can't take your name. Coming from Charlemagne to, hey, you can't. You're not gonna be able to take that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And then. And then you gotta think in the free society. Somebody call you out your name, you can walk away. I'm not wired like that. I'm not. My. My wires is institution. You might. You might well put a gate around me. Cause I'm like. Cause that's the first thing. I'm like, who is this talking to?

[DJ Envy]

I'm so glad you changed your life. You need a little more therapy, though.

[Ali Siddiq]

You still need big, big on that therapy. I just need to talk. I just need to talk to my friend. If he tell these serious stories and.

[DJ Envy]

He Be laughing at the end of violence a little bit.

[Ali Siddiq]

I learned a couple things today. I learned don't call Ali Sadiq A and you don't play. Well, what's the song? Scratch? Those are the two things I've been violation. Yo, don't play Annie Up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Don't go on the beach.

[Ali Siddiq]

Scratch. I apologize.

[DJ Envy]

Yo, listen, go get tickets for Ali Stop Deep News tour. In the Shadows tour. Where do they go for the tickets?

[Ali Siddiq]

Ali man, go to alisdique.com or go to Ali Sadiq Comedy on YouTube or go to Ticketmaster. You know, wherever tickets are sold. You know, that's one thing about selling tickets. People. People call you as if they ain't never been no concert. Man. I get tickets to your show the same way you got tickets to Eric B show. I saw you. I saw you moving your hips at Eric B. Show. Now all of a sudden you don't know how to get tickets. Cuz you know me.

[DJ Envy]

Get applied advice at the same website.

[Ali Siddiq]

Yeah. Oh, you can get on Amazon. It should be on Charl man's thing, cuz, you know, cuz everything he do is the best seller. Can I. Can I get my pamphlet to be a bestseller?

[DJ Envy]

You don't want the pamphlet, but what we going to do is. I said no, no, I'm put. Check your email right now. I said it while we doing the interview.

[Ali Siddiq]

Sick of this clam. All right.

[DJ Envy]

Check your email. I put you on during the interview.

[Ali Siddiq]

Okay, I did. I signed your book and everything. Sure did.

[DJ Envy]

Quick read. I can't wait to read it.

[Ali Siddiq]

Wow. Wow.

[DJ Envy]

No, this is. Man, cut it out, man.

[Ali Siddiq]

This is wow. It's supposed to be a quick read for people because, you know, people don't read no long ass books. Exactly. I'm talking about a long ass book every day. When I listen, when I see him talking about these are the best sellers right here. I'm like, who read them big ass books? They just stab in this. You just give it to us. You gonna make it the best of that big ass encyclopedia. Who read it? Emmy got over that by he. Like I read. I read the introduction. He ain't read that book right. Talking about. It's the Breakfast Club.

[DJ Envy]

Good morning, man. Turn that off.

[Ali Siddiq]

Every day I wake up.

[Will Lucas]

Wake your ass up.

[Ali Siddiq]

The Breakfast Club.

[Noah DeBorosso]

I'm NOAH and I'm 13. And I started this podcast because honestly, adults don't ask the right questions. Now, you know, with Noah de Barraso is a show about influence. Who's got it, how they use it, and what it means for the rest of the of you, it's not the news, it's what the news should be if someone Gen Z or Gen Alpha made it. Politics is wild and I'm definitely not here to tame it, but I'm here to make sense of it. Listen to now. You know with Noah de arrasto on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Will Lucas]

It's Black Business Month and Black tech green money is tapping in. I'm Will Lucas spotlighting black founders, investors and innovators building the future Black One idea at a time. Let's talk legacy tech and generational wealth.

[Ali Siddiq]

I had the skill and I had the talent. I didn't have the opportunity. Yeah, we all know, right? Genius is evenly distributed. Opportunity is not to hear this and.

[Will Lucas]

More on the power of black innovation and ownership, listen to Black Tech Green Money from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Janae (Cheekies)]

Hey guys, it's Janae AKA Cheekies from Cheekies and Chill Podcast and I'm bringing you an all new mini podcast series called Sincerely Janae. Sure, I'm a singer, author, businesswoman and podcaster, but at the end of the day, I am human and that's why I'm sharing my ups and downs with you in real time and on the go. Listen to Cheekies and chill on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Will Lucas]

How serious is youth vaping? Irreversible lung damage serious. 1 in 10 kids vape serious, which warrants a serious conversation from a serious parental figure like yourself. Not the seriously know it all sports dad or the seriously smart podcaster. It requires a serious conversation that is best had by you. No, seriously, the best person to talk to your child about vaping is you. To start the conversation, visit talkaboutvaping.org, brought to you by the American Lung association and the Ad Council.

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.