Comedian Godfrey C. Danchimah Jr., professionally known as Godfrey, came to APSU on Wednesday, April 3, to perform his original standup routine “Black By Accident.” Godfrey is an American comedian of Nigerian descent who has frequently appeared on BET, VH1 and Comedy Central and acted in films such as “Soul Plane,” “Original Gangstas,” “Zoolander” and “Johnson Family Vacation,” among others.
Godfrey recently signed a deal with FOX to develop a TV show on the story of his life. Godfrey has been listed as one of the “hottest comedians on the circuit” by both DC Improv and Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy. The Govs Programming Council brought this performer to the auditorium of the Clement Building.
“It makes you feel relevant,” Godfrey said of performing at universities. “Since I graduated college, I know about college life.” In this vein, Godfrey’s “Black By Accident” routine included commentary on dorm life and classes, as well as debating social norms among young people.
Freshmen Kayley DeVault and Amber Botts said his routine was “hilarious.” The audience seemed to agree, giving the comedian a standing ovation at the end of his set. Godfrey said crowd participation is a core part of his act, including their jeers and cracks that can “fuel the fire of dialogue.”
The things he takes from the audience to use in his act are just as important as the things he wants us to receive from him, according to Godfrey. “I go all over the place with my comedy,” Godfrey said.
Godfrey said he thinks every situation is one that can be laughed at, including his own upbringing by strict Nigerian immigrant parents in 1970s Chicago. Self-admittedly proud of his past, Godfrey was as quick to make jokes about himself as about college life.
Despite being intended to gain laughs, though, Godfrey’s routine wasn’t without a message. The comedian breezed through various topics ranging from classes to relationships, saying it is important to communicate to college students that intelligence is not separate from humor.
“I think [the audience] should take away that it’s okay to be smart, it’s okay to be funny and well-learned,” Godfrey said. “You can be from academia and be funny; you don’t have to be an idiot.”
