Comedian Ali Siddiq is coming to peform at the James L. Knight Center on Friday on the heels of winning an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Variety for his special \u201cMy Two Sons.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 75-minute comedy special focuses on his life as a father, but he considers his award a win for independent comedians. Siddiq, 52, said he hopes it will push artists to remain independent rather than feeling they have to rely on a bigger machine to get the accolades.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo give people a little reassurance that they can do it on their own, that was gratifying,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Siddiq\u2019s journey to comedy began when he was imprisoned for cocaine trafficking at 19, finding solace in honing his voice and telling jokes. \u201cI\u2019m not writing jokes. I\u2019m telling stories about my particular life,\u201d he said. \u201cA joke is like a bit, and those things are a little different from what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Siddiq has built a steady following since then, appearing on Comedy Central\u2019s Stand Up Presents (formerly known as the Half Hour) and having his own comedy special, \u201cAli Siddiq: It\u2019s Bigger Than These Bars,\u201d which focused on his experience being incarcerated. The special was the first filmed inside a jail and was shortlisted for an Emmy.<\/p>\n
In 2022, he gained more momentum with his four-part comedy series \u201cDomino Effect,\u201d which focused on his upbringing in Houston and his eventual incarceration. It\u2019s been a meteoric rise from there with Siddiq recently winning three Webby Awards for his April 2025 comedy special \u201cRugged,\u201d available on YouTube.<\/p>\n
For Siddiq, comedy is giving people a place to relax and not cajole the audience for how they show up. \u201cI\u2019m not gonna make fun of somebody being skinny. I\u2019m not making fun of nobody for being fat,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not making fun of nobody\u2019s hat, nobody\u2019s shirt, because it\u2019s like a form of bullying.\u201d<\/p>\n
While he didn\u2019t tease what you can expect at the show, Siddiq said Miami is in for a treat: \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be a ride, man, it\u2019s gonna be a ride.\u201d<\/p>\n
IF YOU GO:<\/p>\n
What: Ali Siddiq<\/p>\n
When: Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
Where: James L. Knight Center, 400 SE Second Ave., Miami<\/p>\n
Cost: $63 for remaining tickets<\/p>\n