Anyone who knows anything about Portland stand-up knows Minority Retort is the cityâs premiere monthly showcase centering on voices of color in comedy. Created by Jason Lamb in 2015, the regular comedy night (sometimes monthly, sometimes twice a month) is currently hosted by Lamb, Julia Ramos, and Neeraj Srinivasan. Minority Retort not only spotlights local comedians, but also brings in hilarious talent from other cities for the enjoyment of Portland audiences. This monthâs show features headliner Yedoye Travis travelling all the way from Brooklyn, though he originally hails from Atlanta. You may may have seen him at last yearâs Bridgetown Comedy Festival, or maybe you missed itâthatâs fine because you have a do-over at the Siren this weekend, where heâll perform alongside local comedians James Barela, Lance Edward, and Seattleâs Aisha Faroud.
I interviewed Travis via Facebook Messenger, to avoid pretending to pronounce his name correctlyâthough I absolutely can (Wakanda forever!).
MERCURY: I understand you have a psychology degree. What inspired you to pursue a comedy career?
YEDOYE TRAVIS: Well, my mom told me psychology wouldnât pay the bills, and I thought if I really worked hard I could pay even less of them.
Who were some of your early influences and mentors?
Once my dad made me drive him around while he stole oranges from the local groves in Lake Wales, FL. So that, and Richard Pryor.
What was it like getting to open for W. Kamau Bell at the 2017 Montreal Just For Laughs Festival?
It was like going on stage and then seeing yourself from the future go on stage.
Who do you think is funnier? You or Donald Glover?
Someone will disagree with me no matter what I say. They will be wrong.
Whoâs your favorite problematic R&B singer and why?
If weâre going by music, Iâm sure T-Pain is up to something sneaky, but I love him. If weâre going by problems, a documentary on R. Kelly would be the next Wild Wild Country. Basically, donât trust anyone who uses their first initial.
Iâm trying to spread a meme promoting the stereotype that âniggas love LaCroix.â Whatâs the best lie youâve ever gotten white people to believe?
I donât know what youâre talking about. Niggas do love LaCroix and all Black people are born in Atlanta.
JASON LAMB [interjects]: I fucking love LaCroix, Polar, Bubly, and all that shit. I have no problem putting my name on that. Itâs goddamn delicious.
Youâve also appeared on CBSâ Search Party and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, but then you also have a day job as a carpenter. Would you say youâre the third most famous carpenter behind Jesus and Harrison Ford?
Nick Offerman is also doing pretty well. Iâm definitely the most famous Black carpenter, which is unfortunate since Iâm not good at it.
You have a brilliant, layered joke on on your album OK where you say, âWe missed the boat on not being slaves.â The crowd response was a bit lukewarm, in my opinion. What is your personal favorite joke that people donât seem to appreciate?
I do one about how Trump says heâs the least racist person, but I think heâs the fewest racist people, which is one. People donât like grammar jokes.
Have you ever just threatened a friend for fun? Like, they just seem a little too comfortable, so you decide to shake things up a bit.
If you keep asking me questions like this Iâm not doing the show.
