Katt Williams, an Ohio native who now lives in Los Angeles, seems to put a certain song to the lie. It’s hard out there for a pimp? Williams makes pimpin’ look easy. The man is not only an actor, a comedian, and a rapper, he’s a businessman, with diverse companies such as Kattpack Records, Kattpack Investments, and a clothing company, Secret Pimp Society. He has played a pimp in cartoon form in The Boondocks, and in such films as Friday After Next and Norbit.
It isn’t that he’s been a victim of typecasting; he brings the persona on stage with him by choice. His first standup show was titled The Pimp Chronicles Part I; his audio CD was called Pimpin’ Pimpin’ and he even has a ringtone for sale called Pimp Phone Ringing.
Katt Williams’ latest standup DVD is called It’s Pimpin’ Pimpin’. It begins with the comedian strolling out onstage with “Secret Pimp Society” spelled out in glittering letters across his coat. The message and the glitter is echoed in a matching belt buckle. And in case anyone thinks that’s all a joke, the joke’s on them. Williams, a gifted intellect who won a full science scholarship at age 12, is nobody’s cliche. To Mr. Williams, the word "pimp," put into practise, means a man who has no boss and lives life his way. He may have a diamond watch and matching pinky ring; a walking stick and a velvet coat; but those surface trappings do not confine or define him any more than Groucho Marx’s greasepaint mustache or Harpo's wig did for them. It’s entertainment, born of truth but not the sum total of a human being. There’s something more to Katt Williams — a man building an empire based upon his intelligence and his comedic talent.
Those deeper aspects show in various ways. It isn’t everyone who would choose to adopt seven children and raise them as a single father. Williams has a child from his former marriage, and adopted seven more from foster care. He speaks out for the need children in foster care have to find adoptive homes: "There are needy children right down the street,” he’s said. But when he’s on stage, the serious is wrapped into comedic routines so sweet one hardly even notices the vitamin it’s wrapped around.
Article comments
1 - Lady Di
Brandy... not only did you review the DVD, you wrote too much. (laughs) I don't have to watch the DVD now. Anyhow, I like what I read as you gave a lot of depth that most people miss because... they are too stuck on the symbolism vs the actual meaning. I tried to do as you've done here and explain "pimp" as I thought Katt meant it. I've listed to, read and watched loads of footage on him because he is a mini super genius if you ask me. Try explaining that to people who either have ONE mentality o a "pimp" and/or those who saw his stage/public personna prior even getting any depth of who he really is as Micah.
I am ever so glad I had the opportunity to see him live, sadly it was not his absolute best. I saw the 2nd trip to DC, yep right where this was filmed. Crew were there capturing footage too but I'm not sure where it all went!?!? All I know is I was deeply honored when I saw the credits roll up and overwhelmingly thank Katt for that.
2 - Kiki
I'm sorry, but if you're going to quote something, please quote it right. Half of your quotes are unfinished and the other half of them are scrambled. Your review was fine otherwise, but as a fan of the show, the misprints bugged me.
3 - Brandy
Which "misprints" are those, Kiki?
The two comments accuse me of opposite offenses. In fact my aim was to give the flavor of the Dvd more for those who hadn't seen Mr. Williams' work. My intention was not to provide a transcript but enough description to whet someone's appetite.
Still in all, there was a lot more that I didn't even touch upon...and even those things I described cannot and were not intended to replace viewing the Dvd. I hope no one passes up the steak because of the menu.
4 - Lady Di
I had, laugh, in there for a reason. I was being sarcastic but you seemed to have missed that part. At any rate, I do own the DVD and they state that it was in fact the show I attended that this is from. I think they meshed together 2 shows but here nor there it's funnier now than it was being live in DAR.
Check those credits very close next time you view it.
5 - Brandy
No it's cool Lady Di. I just didn't want anybody to pass the Dvd by. It like all his other stuff is well worth it. That was my main concern. I also don't want to be 'inaccurate' (re: 2nd comment) it is more about giving a flavor of things for a review. I did write a lot I agree. But I usually do. :p Hey it was all positive though.
Yep I saw you in the credits, (and I've seen you on other boards' comments sections too), I'm glad the man has such true fans. I also liked that he thanked 'the bloggers', I smiled at that one. =)