Ain’t It Humorous  
Viral humorist and Emmy-nominated author Josh Johnson relates hip-hop to hilarity.
Interview: Joey Echevarria
Editor’s Be aware: This story seems within the Fall 2025 situation of XXL Journal, on newsstands now and obtainable on the market on the XXL web site.

As a distinguished author, stand-up comedian and all-around entertainer, Josh Johnson finds many similarities between hip-hop tradition and the world of comedy. The Alexandria, La. native, known as the funniest man on the web, usually makes use of rappers and their lives as fodder for his most hilarious bits.

Whereas he’s an Emmy-nominated author and nightly correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Day by day Present, Josh is most generally identified for his viral, 27-minute stand-up set titled “Drake vs. Kendrick Defined to White Individuals.” The world-famous battle and a few of hip-hop’s greatest moments, just like the overtly weird Younger Thug YSL RICO trial, function inspiration for the 35-year-old’s hilarious social commentary.

Josh joined XXL by way of Zoom throughout some downtime earlier than a comedy gig in Portland, Maine in August. Right here, he discusses the parallels between hip-hop and comedy, jokes about comedians who wish to reside the rap life, the rhymers he admires most and extra.

XXL: Why do you gravitate to hip-hop music and the tradition it represents?

Josh Johnson: With every little thing that’s taking place on the planet now, you want completely different types of expression to get out particular concepts. In hip-hop, there’s lanes of expression for everyone. Most of us have these very shared experiences of being in love or dropping a job, or actually wanting one thing and getting it, or feeling such as you’re it and no one sees it but. These issues are common.

So, you may join with somebody’s journey by means of hip-hop manner higher than somebody simply attempting to do common pop that appeals to everyone. I see a number of potential for strengthened relationships between [rap] artists and their communities proper now. I feel folks, greater than ever, want these shops to really feel regular and heard.

Who’re your high 5 favourite rappers?

It will get more durable and more durable yearly. The extra I uncover, the extra that I would like that Mount Rushmore to be the scale of Congress. There’s Kendrick Lamar due to how I found him and the truth that he nonetheless has such longevity. Eminem is certainly in there. Discography-wise, Ye. Missy Elliott as properly. Journey-wise, I’m inquisitive about every little thing Probability The Rapper does. Each transfer, each connection that he builds, and even the best way he bounces again if he’s ever had a hurdle, is one thing that I actually respect and one thing that I see as what an all-time nice does.

How does hip-hop affect the comedy world?

Plenty of comics want that they had been rappers. Even the difficulty that you simply see comics get into typically, you’re like, you’re attempting to be a rapper. That’s what’s taking place. There’s no motive for a comic to get shot. There are comedians getting caught up like they’re actually about that life and I’m like, “Why? You do jokes. How had been you shifting that you simply ended up getting shot within the thigh?”

What about hip-hop conjures up your strategy to comedy?

I strategy comedy the best way I think about a number of rappers strategy hip-hop. It’s a really narcissistic endeavor to stand up on stage and really feel like you have got probably the most to say and you actually should be there. It’s a must to imagine that’s true. Even in case you have a humble strategy to the craft, it’s a must to imagine that you’re among the best to do it after which put that perception into your work.

How do you incorporate hip-hop subjects into your stand-up comedy units?

I do my greatest to speak about issues that I really feel very strongly about, in order that there’s an authenticity there to what the set turns into. Similar to the remainder of America and to a sure level, the remainder of the world, I used to be captivated by the [Drake vs. Kendrick] battle. Similar to a number of America, I used to be watching Younger Thug’s trial and all of the humorous enterprise occurring there. I take a look at it as I wish to do my greatest to talk on issues that I really feel like I’ve one thing to say about.

Are there any rappers you suppose would make good stand-up comics?

Eminem for timing. He’s acquired good timing. I additionally suppose 50 Cent for content material. The best way he roasts is prefer it’s coming from a spot that’s so deeply humorous. When he goes in on anyone, it’ll be like, Wow, that is loopy, and that is what a comic book would do.

Watch Josh Johnson’s XXL Interview

The autumn 2025 situation of XXL journal that includes comic Josh Johnson’s interview is obtainable to buy right here. The problem additionally consists of Joey Bada$$ and J.I.D’s cowl story interviews, conversations with Probability The Rapper, Rob49, Curren$y, Hit-Boy, Wallo267, Bay Swag, KenTheMan, Hanumankind, Babyfxce E, Ghostface Killah, KenTheMan, Hurricane Knowledge, Conway The Machine, TiaCorine, Pluto, Isaiah Falls, Vice President of Music at SiriusXM and Pandora Joshua “J1” Raiford, a take a look at the change in album rollouts through the years highlighted by Clipse’s Let God Type Em Out album and extra.

See Images From Joey Bada$$ and J.I.D’s XXL Journal Fall 2025 Cowl Shoot