Chris Rock Talks Criticism For Appealing To White Audiences

BY Erika Marie 9.5K Views
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Chris Rock
Rock and Kevin Hart chatted about the backlash they've received for their global reach.

Making the shift from an up-and-coming stand-up comedian to a mainstream entertainer isn't an easy one, but many of our favorites are products of that transition. Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and Kevin Hart and just a handful of examples of people who went from touring small bars and comedy clubs to starring in feature films. Their reach is global; however, they've also been criticized for their appeal to white audiences.

While chatting on Hart to Heart, Rock spoke with Kevin Hart about how he handled the criticism.

Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images

"So, I do Bring The Pain, and I'm on Oprah and I'm on 60 Minutes and I'm just on the cover of every magazine, whatever, in the world," said Rock. "[You hear] that rumbling of, 'Only white people like it. Too many white people like it.' So, when it was time to do my next special, I'm like, 'Oh, you think only white people like me? Okay, well, I'm going to the Apollo and there ain't gon' be no white people nowhere and I'm gonna call this special—this is the Blackest special you will ever see."

"I have fought battles—I have told n*ggas to shut up in comedy clubs that tried to hate on you," Rock told Hart.

Hart replied," It's the success of the comedian that has found a way to cross over and appeal to all. The universal comic, people remove the word 'universal' and just throw in the word 'white.' You forget the world is massive so, one of the best pieces of advice that I've ever gotten is from you in regards to comedy: 'Aye, don't be local. The world is big. Go travel. Go over that water, go be funny to the world. Go be funny for everybody.'"

Hart added that he reflects on that advice often as he thinks of Rock's career, noting that his friend "stayed true" to himself while making his audience connect to his comedy.

Check out a clip of the conversation below and tune in for more on PeacockTV.



About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.