RAHEEM HOLT

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Tell everyone who you are and what you do.

RH: Well, I am Raheem Holt from Pulaski, Tennessee. It’s a very small town where we have about 3 red lights and before you know it, you’ll be in another city. I am a multitalented man, but I’ll say I’m a comedian first, then an actor, host, writer and currently working towards being a producer as I do a little part-time work behind the scenes.

Q. What made you want to be a comedian?

RH: As a child, I always made funny videos that would make everyone laugh. I would get so excited to make my family and friends laugh through the stories I told and just being myself. It wasn’t until later that I found out it was an actual gift of mine and there was a name for it. Looking back on the videos I made, I realized I had been a comedian the entire time.

Q. How has the experience been being on “TKO” and “Pickler & Ben?

RH: Pickler & Ben was more than an amazing experience. My journey with them started as an audience member where they gave a particular set of instructions that we all would follow. I was interested in becoming the audience warmup.

Audience warmup is the person who gets the crowd hype and active before the show starts. I would go around and ask them what it took to have that role. I told them I wrote jokes and was a comedian and after a little time they decided to try me out and it was an amazing experience. I had a lot of fun and it was definitely an added lesson in growth. “People only know what you tell them, so I spoke my goals into existence by telling them what I do and what I wanted.” The TKO experience and working with Kevin Hart was life changing. Before TKO, I worked with Kevin Hart on his Irresponsible tour as a stand in comedian. This opportunity was altering because that was my first time working with a big network like CBS. The audition process was intense. In order to get on the show, you had to send in several videos showing strength, running, jumping over fences, etc. Basically, things to show just how in shape you were. I was competing against over 1000 other submissions, so to be one of the contestants chosen was great for me. To have done it all myself without a manager or agent, also, gave me an extra boost in confidence and in character. I mean I thought I was going against other comedians but most of the other contestants were people whose professions were in sports and fitness. Even a professional bull rider entered.

Q. Who are some of your comedian idols?

RH: Well, of course, there is Kevin Hart. I’m always told we have some of the same energy and if it isn’t that then anybody would say Kevin Hart because I’m short and black [laughs]. Dave Chapelle: he’s vocal about issues and has a sense of urgency without care. He has lived his career being as authentic as possible and pushed the tone for being a comedian and activist.

Bernie Mac for his authenticity. Of course, Eddie Murphy is what we all consider the goat. Jamie Foxx and Martin Lawrence because of their versatility. They created many characters and ranges in their careers. More so Jamie in his acting dynamics and crazy range.

Q. What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to go through in your career?

RH: I’d say the lack of finances and a lack of trust. When you go into this type of business, you never know how much you need to invest in yourself and all the things that come along with it such promotion, advertisement, educations, mentorship etc. Sometimes you have to keep investing until you make a return on your investment; in this case that return would be exposure that turns into cashflow. I say trust because you always have to question if the people around you or that come around you are there because of you or want something from you. It can be hard at times to know who’s going to take and give and having the discernment to know who’s right is extremely important. I also mean the trust between show coordinators, agents, managers and so forth. There is a constant worry on whether you’ll show up to a show with the possibility of being shorted because it was a short night or something else. You never know who you can trust.

“The only people that have your best interest at heart are your mama and daddy… and your grandmama”

Q. Let’s talk about some of your goals you want to accomplish in the next three years.

RH: I’m working towards being an: • Award-winning comedian • Shoot a stand up special • Be in a featured film on Netflix • On tour, on the road doing comedy • An established content creator

Q. What advice can you give to others that would like to become a comedian?

RH: Ask yourself if being a comedian is for you. Just because you’re funny doesn’t mean the lifestyle is for you. You have to ask yourself what you are great at because being good is something everybody can do but being great is what separates you from the rest. Lastly, treat it like it’s a real job and not just a hobby. If this something, you do for fun or as a hobby please step to the side so that the serious people can get their turn.

Q. Tell us one fun fact about yourself?

RH: A fun fact about me is before every performance is I stretch and play videos games. That’s my warmup. I can play video games for 20 hours nonstop and not get tired.

Q. Are you working on any projects for 2022?

RH: Absolutely! I just finished working on two movies. EscapeCation as a supporting character and Joke Book as a lead character. Follow me on my YouTube channel and all social media platforms for more information and release of these movies. I just signed a partnership with Kontent that will help me produce more content, so please please please subscribe to my YouTube channel @RaheemHolts. Please like, comment, share all the content you see. I am also preparing to go on tour. Staying in physical shape is a constant project I’m working on; I have to stay in shape for what I do.

Q. Where can the readers follow you?

RH: Subscribe, like and comment on YouTube @RaheemHolts Raheem holts on all platforms, Twitter, Fb, IG, TikTok.