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Thug Heaven: No comics allowed
Austin comic Lashonda Lester has established a reputation for putting on inventive shows that are a mixture of comedy and storytelling.
Her show this Sunday at the Salvage Vanguard Theater looks like more of the same. “Thug Heaven” is a look at hip-hop culture, and especially the murders of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. It’s an outgrowth of her series of biographical shows called “Weird! True Hollywood Tales.”
I chatted with Lester via email about the show.
What gave you the idea to do this?
I’m a huge fan of biographies, especially biographies of celebrities who led extraordinary lives that were tragically cut short for some reason or another. I grew up watching shows like Unsolved Mysteries (RIP Robert Stack) that covered these types of stories and I became instantly obsessed. I would practice in the mirror as a kid trying to be a Robert Stack/Rod Serling type of presenter introducing strange stories.
Fast-forward to adulthood. Last year I had an idea of producing a live series of biography shows about celebs that died in weird tragic ways as told by comedians. Over the course of a year I researched over 50 biographies and came away with 6 uniquely themed shows ranging from rap music to wrestling icons. Thus Weird! True Hollywood Tales.
Why the Biggie/Tupac murders?
Their entire story, not just the murders are such a fascinating tale. Two friends who were both talented being played against each other by people who had an interest in their beef with each other. Everyone is a suspect, literally. Music industry execs, the government, gangbangers, the police — everybody! It’s THE biggest murder mystery in the entertainment industry and after 15 years, we’re still no closer to finding the killer, even though all the clues are available. I’ll also be discussing the pioneers and godfathers of Gangsta Rap, N.W.A. and Eazy E as well as the history of the genre.
And how do you make them funny?
As a comedian it’s my job to be entertaining enough that you can laugh, even at the sad parts. Besides, it’s not the deaths that are funny; it’s the irony of the whole sordid story. The conspiracy theories, 2Pac lives, naming your album Life After Death, etc.
Why do hip-hop beefs get so personal? Like when Ice Cube left N.W.A., he released a blistering diss track. Same with Biggie/Tupac. Does that ever happen with comedy?
When you come from an environment where your reputation is everything, you are going to do what you have to do to maintain a certain level of respect. If that means beating somebody down, biting some ears, embarrassing them on a song, shooting folks — take your pick. I don’t (think) that will ever happen in comedy. A, most comedians I know can’t fight. B, I really can’t see comedians pulling guns on each other over jokes. The most we’ll do is start a fake Facebook and Twitter account and clown each other anonymously online.
Let’s say I wanted to visit “Thug Heaven.” Could I get a day pass?
Not to the real Thug Heaven. It’s filled with rappers who made bad decisions and trusted the wrong people. However you can have a three-hour pass to my Thug Heaven. It has hipsters and food.
Weird! True Hollywood Tales presents: Thug Heaven
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday (pre-show mixer at 6:30)
Where: Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Road.
Cost: $10
Information: Visit weirdtruetales.com
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