So for the people that don’t know you, can you tell the readers a little about your background and how you got into the comedic business?
Donnell Rawlings: My background was a trouble maker who played too much and people couldn’t stand to be around me. My friends would be friendly so I wouldn’t crack jokes on them so I really didn’t have no ambition to be stand-up comedian. I actually started as a heckler while I was working at a Safeway in D.C and a club owner invited me on stage thinking it would scare me but it was the opposite. It really inspired my comedic career and really became my thing.
I get you, so you always had a big mouth huh?
DR: Yea I did. I mean, I couldn’t back it up physically but I could do it verbally. There were times that people used to get me out of class like it was a “gang-by” but it was a joke “joke-by”. I used to really hand out verbal attacks to people.
That’s funny, so who were some comedians that inspired you growing up and really opened your eyes to realize being a comedian is really something you should try?
DR: I was always a fan of Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby they really showed that I had the ability to do it too because our styles were similar. Martin Lawrence and Robin Williams were a little ahead of me at the time, but watching them I used to say “Man I can do it” or “That’s something I would say” and those guys really inspired me to do it today.
Cool, so I got to ask you this question regarding the Chappelle show? How in the world did you come up with the character Ashy Larry? Where did the idea come from?
DR: It was a combination of ideas. On paper he was always the dude that was going to be in the basement with his boxers or hustling a dice game. So when I was on the Dave Chappelle Show, they didn’t really give me that many lines. They used to give me probably 10 words, but I would say it 100 different ways. Also, when I used to be in Del Ray I used to shoot dice near Cora Kelly Recreation Center my mother would know. True story, my mother would ask me “Donnell you been shootin’ dice?” When I said “no” she knew I was lying because my knees were ashy. That was the give-away hahaha. I wasn’t smart enough to spit on my hands and wipe it off or use lotion I just operated like it was nothing. So when I got the breakdown of what I wanted him to be, I wanted to make him so ashy that he could write how much money people owed him on the side of his leg. For the most part, Dave added the Larry and I added the ashy and it became the birth of an iconic character.
Regarding the Chappelle Show, can you remember your favorite episode?
DR: One of my favorite episodes hands down and I wasn’t even in it had to be the Wayne Brady episode. The reason is because you don’t see that many sketches that give you a dramatic feel and another reason is the way that sketch was born. With the help of Wayne Brady, him and Dave really came up with that idea out of nothing. I know what Wayne Brady’s range is and the fact people put him in the box as the “nerd” and there’s nothing wrong with that. But, it was a great shot for people to really see how crazy talented Wayne Brady was.
Man, I remember how crazy that episode was when I saw it on Comedy Central for the first time. I felt like that episode really catapulted the show to new heights.
DR: In my opinion the show the show that really did that was the “White Supremacist” episode. That episode had people like “What the F*ck” and also the Rick James episode. I actually was the warm-up comic and I remember every time we played that episode how explosive it was. I really never heard laughter like that really in my whole life, it was really like gut busters.
I believe it, are there any comedians you enjoy now?
DR: I’m older now and I really admire myself. I appreciate different people for different things, but I really admire myself
Way to be honest hahaha
DR: There’s nobody that can compare to me hahaha. If you can’t see me you can’t see.
That’s cool, so let’s dive a little into Guy Code. For the people that aren’t familiar how did you first get involved with the show?
DR: Well Darin Byrne and Ryan Ling were always fans of mine. A real weird story was I used to do all those “I love the 80’s” shows and I remember telling my manager that I didn’t want to remember just for those types of shows. I remember that I passed on it and I had just left an audition for Comedy Central and I thought I bombed in the audition. So I remembered going into the Guy Code pilot and I was bi*ching about the audition in another audition. I don’t know if that anger or passion transferred but after 6 months the show got picked up. I will add, you never really see the production or what goes into the show, you only see your part so it was great to see the show picked it up.
That’s great, so how does it feel to be in your fourth season?
DR: You really never know how long a show will go because you can be really excited for something and people can never watch. I’m very grateful that I can be a part of the show and feel this show can make a run sort of like the Chappelle Show. It feels good to be among a show that has that same feeling and I feel the impact and that street buzz.
So you just mentioned the show and the impact. Do you feel that this show will have the same impact that Chappelle Show will have?
DR: I think it will, but Chappelle Show was global. If we can get some subtitles in Portuguese or something it will be exactly the same. Honestly, they both have their own identities and will definitely have their places in history.
Cool, so how’s it working with the other cast members like Charlamagne Tha God, Damien Lemon and Lil Duval?
DR: It’s the worst, I hate working with them. Honestly, Lil Duval the only one I like because he makes me feel like I could have went into the NBA. Schulz is always trying to pull his d*ck out and teabag somebody and Gabrus is always finding a way to take his shirt off. Melanie is cool, but you know you can’t touch her but honestly I work with a bunch of a**holes. In all seriousness, it’s great I love working with everybody and we all winnin’.
Cool, so what are some of the funny things we can expect from this season?
DR: The thing you can expect and what makes this show great is the truth and honestly of Guy Code. Everybody on the show has their own voice and that’s cool. Like when Lil Duval talks, you know it’s going to be some ignorant sh*t, with Shulz you know it’s going to be something women hate his guts for and will drive ratings and with Gabris you know he gonna make you want to drink or atleast eat a cheese burger. Lastly, with me you’re getting experience so you know when you mix all of us your getting an hilarious.
I agree the mixture of talent on the cast is top notch and the recipe was perfect. Everybody on the show complements each other.
So you guys have gone through hundreds of countless Guy Codes. What are your top 3 rules that all men should definitely abide by?
DR: I say this when I’m on “Guy Court” a lot, but no man should c*ck block another man. I think it’s somewhere in the bible like Corinthians or something I can’t remember. Another one that I use is a man should never eat any fruit or vegetable without breaking it into at least five pieces. Like a banana should never be eaten whole. If you eat a banana whole you have to use the hashtag “pause”. Lastly, you cannot prevent another man from getting “some” that’s just the standards.
Your rules are hilarious actually Damien Lemon said the same thing’s too. So lastly, what is the reasons people should tune in this season?
DR: Because we have had three seasons of success so you should tune in because of the hype. Also, you should tune in because it’s entertainment and if your man’s man that like to talk sh*t with your buddies then your violating Guy Code not watching the show.
