Laughs Last: Damien Lemon Talks NYC, Comedy, & Culture

A storyteller’s role in society is one that dates back to beginning of man. However, the range that said title covers has evolved to include numerous subsects over time. One happens to be the comedian, someone that’s trusted to repackage the gamut of emotional occurrences called life into laughable banter. A select few individuals take this to task, and even less are highly lauded for their abilities.

Enter Damien Lemon, a rising comic who’s born and bred in the most culturally infused environment the U.S. of A. has to offer — New York City. A comedian’s uniqueness lies in their ability to quickly observe and communicate their findings to a broader audience. Not only does Lemon do this at countless performances, but he’s also branding himself through appearances on televised programs like MTV’s Guy Code.

It’s Lemon’s unique occupation that made him the perfect candidate for The Gentleman’s Project, a collaborative feature with Hennessy Black themed around discovering something new, smooth and unexpected. The funny man’s unconsciously been soaking up culture his entire life, only to reinterpret it night in and night out to an audience who each have separate views on the topics he discusses. It takes more than run-of-the-mill luck to make a room ignite. It takes an understanding that very few can boast.

Hip-Hop Wired recently connected with Lemon to get an idea of how his NYC upbringing influences his craft, gentrification in the city, and how he takes in culture to effectively communicate it for a living. Consider this to be a gift from Hennessy Black and yours truly to you.  We simply intend to connect our readers with the hip trends, hot spots and individuals that are shaping our culture.

Interview by Raven Carter

Hip-Hop Wired: What part or parts of New York City were you raised in?

Damien Lemon: Brooklyn and Westchester. Brownsville, Brooklyn and Ossining, NY. Yeah it was a little back and forth type of thing.

Hip-Hop Wired: So, what do you think of Brooklyn now?

Damien Lemon: Depends on what part. If you’re talking about. Brownsville, Brownsville is almost still the same. It’s not going to be gentrified at this point.

Hip-Hop Wired: Why not?

Damien Lemon: I mean they could.

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Photo: Hip-Hop Wired/Margarita Corporan/MMG

Hip-Hop Wired: I’m not from the city originally, so you have to familiarize me with that part of town. Is it wild or something?

Damien Lemon: Yea it’s wild out there. People are getting killed often. Yeah it’s not a game out there. It’s kind of forgotten on a certain level, but, umm, it’s funny I was talking to my grandmother and she was like “You know it would probably be a prime place given all of the intersections, buses, and trains like that would be the most natural place gentrification would hit.

Hip-Hop Wired: Seguing topics, since culture moves comedy, what sorts of cultural topics do you like to include in your work?

Damien Lemon: I talk about race, black culture, pop culture, Hip-Hop, food and a myriad of other things. I like to talk about my life and that’s changing everyday.

Hip-Hop Wired: Understandable. Art should always imitate life, man. But how much does NYC culture influence your comedy, though?

Damien Lemon: I live here, so it’s often the set-up for my material. New York City culture is so rich and diverse that you can go in so many directions; it’s boundless.

Hip-Hop Wired: So as you know, The Gentleman’s Project, sponsored by Hennessy Black, is all about shining a light on the new and unexpected. Where are some cultural spots you frequent in the city to get inspiration?

Damien Lemon: The library, particularly the research libraries. There’s so much free information available, free desk space and wi-fi. That’s free office space in NYC! I like the MOMA, The Paley Center, Film Forum, and SOB’s.

Hip-Hop Wired: Those are spots a lot of folks name. Are there any spots you visit in the city that may be surprising to others?

Damien Lemon: I like the Science, Industry and Business Library. I like to go there and hang out. Put people up on a cool spot to have an office. I like Gran Sichuan, some of the best chinese food you’ll ever eat. Someone told me that a long time ago. I went and checked it out and I’ve been going ever since. Moca Lounge in Harlem. That’s just like “that joint.” It’s a chill spot Uptown.