Born and raised in Brooklyn, Sylvince has honed his act in New York’s top comedy clubs – the Comedy Cellar, Comic Strip Live, Caroline’s on Broadway, Stand-Up NY and the Gotham Comedy Club. His unique perspective on political and social issues, with a twist of his West Indian Haitian culture makes him a comedian in high demand. He has been handpicked by comedy heavyweights Damon Wayans, D.L. Hughley, Chris Tucker, Katt Williams and Bill Bellamy to tour with them. His TV performances on BET’s Comic View, HBO’S Def Comedy Jam, and Showtime at the Apollo have all garnered standing ovations from audiences. Sylvince is also in-demand on the huge US college campus circuit. His versatility to work clean as well as edgy, make him one of its top booked college comedians.
Sylvince’s versatility has meant his comedy writing has featured on The Fugees’ album The Score and Wyclef’s The Carnival. He was also a contributor to sketch shows including Dave Chappelle’s Chappelle Show on Comedy Central and Damon Wayans’ The Underground.
I caught up with Wil Sylvince before his shows start in Australia and to find out where to get the best Caribbean jerk chicken (I’ve been searching after my visit to Antigua & Barbuda in the Carribean last year where I first tried a delicious jerk chicken dish).
1. Tell me how comedy started for you/who inspired you?
I have a few inspirations… Robin Harris, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Rodney Dangerfield – I was such a big fan of comedy!
2. When did you know it was what you wanted to do?
I think I was in the 3rd grade. Girls used to call me “ilk” and “blackie” and run away. One day I said some jokes (can’t remember the joke) but the girls stayed and laughed! When I ran out of jokes they ran away again. That’s when I thought “I have to get more jokes!”
3. What would you be doing if you weren’t a comedian?
Before comedy I use to build robots. I got a degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. The study of robots. I use to work for a company called International Robotics. In fact one of the robots I worked on “SICO” was in one of the Rocky movies. So I would have still been there or at my own shop fixing DVDs and old VHS players
Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cku6oPGWW7Q
4. What’s the best gig you have ever performed?
Any gig that pays me to make people laugh. Because I’m always “for real? You’re gonna pay me for this?! OK!”
5. Where can you get the best Caribbean jerk chicken?
Either Flastbush Brooklyn or any actual Caribbean Island – Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad, Bahamas…
6. Describe yourself in one sentence.
Work hard to keep my landlord happy!
Where to see Wil?
MELBOURNE HEADLINERS – MELBOURNE TOWN HALL TUE 8 – SAT 20 APRIL
SYDNEY THE COMEDY STORE THU 24 APRIL
SYDNEY **EXTRA SHOW** THE COMEDY STORE SUN 27 APRIL
PERTH ASTOR LOUNGE THU 1 – SUN 4 MAY
PERTH **EXTRA SHOW** MT LAWLEY BOWLING CLUB SUN 4 MAY
TICKETS FOR ALL SEASONS NOW ON SALE
For complete tour and ticket information visit: www.livenation.com.au