Malik S.: Punchlines So Good They Need a Warning Label
- Muzikscribe
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Malik S. doesn’t just make people laugh—he sneaks into your brain, plants a joke, and leaves you chuckling weeks later. Fresh off his fearless comedy special Laughing Voodoo, directed by Cedric the Entertainer, Malik is out here proving that being funny is both an art and a full-contact sport. From lighting up Black-ish and The Neighborhood to writing jokes for Netflix, the NAACP Image Awards, and even your holiday movie queue, he’s doing it all with surgical precision… and zero chill. We caught up with Malik to talk touring with legends, crafting punchlines that sting and sing, surviving Hollywood’s chaos without losing your soul—or your sense of humor—and balancing fatherhood with a career where every laugh counts. Spoiler: with Malik, the jokes hit hard, and the mark they leave? Unforgettable.
Q: Malik, when you first made someone laugh out loud, did you realize you had something special?
MS: When I first made someone laugh out loud, I had to be in elementary school, so no. I wasn’t even trying to be funny and got sent to the corner.
Q: Who inspired you growing up, and how did they shape your comedic voice?
MS: My mother, big brother, and big sister inspired me growing up. They showed me a strong work ethic, and I still carry that with me today in entertainment.
Q: Early in your career, was there a moment or mistake that surprised you—something that taught you a lesson you carry today?
MS: Early in my career, I learned never to compare your journey to anyone else’s. That will kill your dream and your drive.
Q: Was there a project or performance that made you feel like you finally found your groove?
MS: When I performed in Egypt and Jordan for the locals, that really made me see that my comedy is universal. I can make anybody, anywhere, laugh. That’s when I found my groove.
Q: Today, ‘Laughing Voodoo’ is turning heads—what’s been the most unexpected moment so far?
MS: The most unexpected moment about my comedy special Laughing Voodoo has been the response from my peers. Fellow comedians overwhelmingly think it’s a great body of work.
Q: You’ve been on tour with Cedric the Entertainer—what’s the best advice he’s given you that you still hold onto?
MS: The best advice I’ve gotten from Cedric the Entertainer is to focus on the deal in front of you and run your own race.
Q: When it comes to writing jokes that land on stage, TV, and social media, what’s your secret?
MS: When it comes to writing jokes—whether for the stage, TV, or social media—I just try to be honest. If it’s honest, people will connect to it.
Q: Balancing fatherhood, touring, and writing at this level—how do you stay grounded and inspired?
MS: I stay grounded by balancing my time. Timing is everything in everything we do.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s your biggest goal for the next few years?
MS: My biggest goals for the next few years are to create and star in my own sitcom, have a sold-out world tour, make a few hit movies, and grow old without any aches and pains.
Q: How do you see your comedy evolving—more fearless, more personal, or perhaps exploring new territory?
MS: I see my comedy evolving by being more honest and personal, pulling from my real-life experiences—past and present.
Q: What’s a dream project or collaboration you’re manifesting next?
MS: My dream project is creating my own sitcom, which I’ll star in. It’s coming!
Q: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice starting out, what would it be?
MS: I would tell my younger self to be open to new things and not be closed-minded.
Q: What societal or cultural topic are you most eager to tackle in your comedy moving forward?
MS: I’m eager to talk about the state of politics. Politics have gone straight to chaos.
Q: When it’s all said and done, what legacy do you want to leave behind?
MS: I want to be remembered as a great father, a great person, and someone who made the world laugh.
Q: Are there new platforms, formats, or stories you’re eager to explore that your fans haven’t seen yet?
MS: I’d like to explore movie writing. I just stepped my toe into it—I wrote a movie for Netflix. You’ll see it soon.
Q: And in 10 years, what’s the one thing you want people to remember most about Malik S.?
MS: I want people to say, “Damn, he’s still funny. He still got it. He’s getting better!”
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