Damon Wayans

I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. I used to laugh at him. We used to laugh at him because he would wear a suit with a baseball hat, like a momentary hat. He had all the hats from our shows, and he would wear them because he was proud of us. And so that's why I wear this in honor of my dad. And I wear my mother's underwear because—

I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. I used to laugh at him. We used to laugh at him because he would wear a suit with a baseball hat, like a momentary hat. He had all the hats from our shows, and he would wear them because he was proud of us. And so that's why I wear this in honor of my dad. And I wear my mother's underwear because—

So Keenan used to walk around in Kung Fu slippers. He was just a target. He had noon chucks. And he was really good. He would kick the ceiling. And then one day he got into a fight with this dude, Bobby Boyd in the in a building, in the lobby of the building. And Keenan, you know, everybody's like, oh, snap. He's going to do the karate. And then Keenan went to take off his shirt. Oh, man.

So Keenan used to walk around in Kung Fu slippers. He was just a target. He had noon chucks. And he was really good. He would kick the ceiling. And then one day he got into a fight with this dude, Bobby Boyd in the in a building, in the lobby of the building. And Keenan, you know, everybody's like, oh, snap. He's going to do the karate. And then Keenan went to take off his shirt. Oh, man.

I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. I used to laugh at him. We used to laugh at him because he would wear a suit with a baseball hat, like a momentary hat. He had all the hats from our shows, and he would wear them because he was proud of us. And so that's why I wear this in honor of my dad. And I wear my mother's underwear. No, I'm kidding.

I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. I used to laugh at him. We used to laugh at him because he would wear a suit with a baseball hat, like a momentary hat. He had all the hats from our shows, and he would wear them because he was proud of us. And so that's why I wear this in honor of my dad. And I wear my mother's underwear. No, I'm kidding.

It was that, and he just had it together. Kenan had vision, right? I had an older brother, Dwayne, who was paranoid schizophrenic, so you couldn't take any direction from him.

It was that, and he just had it together. Kenan had vision, right? I had an older brother, Dwayne, who was paranoid schizophrenic, so you couldn't take any direction from him.

Turn the wheel!

Turn the wheel!

Yeah, Kenan was always like, you know, he was an A student. You know, he was. It's interesting how life will take you on this journey. Bruce Lee said, stay liquid. So you always end up where you're supposed to be. And so with Kenan, he told me he went to Tuskegee. And he went there to learn that the improvisation club was two miles away from where we live. Oh, wow. Yeah.

Yeah, Kenan was always like, you know, he was an A student. You know, he was. It's interesting how life will take you on this journey. Bruce Lee said, stay liquid. So you always end up where you're supposed to be. And so with Kenan, he told me he went to Tuskegee. And he went there to learn that the improvisation club was two miles away from where we live. Oh, wow. Yeah.

Because he used to like stand, they had a totem pole and he would stand out there and tell jokes like every day. And someone came up to him and said, man, you're funny. You should do stand up comedy. Like right down the block from where we grew up. That's what he says he learned from college.

Because he used to like stand, they had a totem pole and he would stand out there and tell jokes like every day. And someone came up to him and said, man, you're funny. You should do stand up comedy. Like right down the block from where we grew up. That's what he says he learned from college.

Yeah. And for me, my journey, I started out wanting to be a singer. Can you sing? No, when I was young. No, when I was young. That seems like an obvious.

Yeah. And for me, my journey, I started out wanting to be a singer. Can you sing? No, when I was young. No, when I was young. That seems like an obvious.

I hate the way you sing. Now I can't. Because when I went through puberty, I told my mother, I said, Ma, could I take some lessons? She said, boy, I can't even feed you.

I hate the way you sing. Now I can't. Because when I went through puberty, I told my mother, I said, Ma, could I take some lessons? She said, boy, I can't even feed you.

You don't get no lessons. Find something else to do. That's what she told me. Next. And so I started DJing. And that was my dream. I wanted to be a DJ. Craig was a DJ in college. I still act at turntables. Did you mix with him? Yeah. And with stems and all the stuff you can do now.

You don't get no lessons. Find something else to do. That's what she told me. Next. And so I started DJing. And that was my dream. I wanted to be a DJ. Craig was a DJ in college. I still act at turntables. Did you mix with him? Yeah. And with stems and all the stuff you can do now.

Craigie Craig.

Craigie Craig.

My man. My man. Yeah. And so I went to... We used to throw parties up when I moved out of my house, my parents' house, at 16. I lived with my cousin up in Marble Hill, the projects. And we used to throw parties and all the girls would be out there. It was fun. And then when Keenan moved to California, he gave me his apartment. In Washington Heights. And I was like, okay, cool.

My man. My man. Yeah. And so I went to... We used to throw parties up when I moved out of my house, my parents' house, at 16. I lived with my cousin up in Marble Hill, the projects. And we used to throw parties and all the girls would be out there. It was fun. And then when Keenan moved to California, he gave me his apartment. In Washington Heights. And I was like, okay, cool.

So I told my cousin, I'm moving. And he's like, all right, well, you got to do what you got to do. And I had all this equipment. I had like speakers the size of washing machines.

So I told my cousin, I'm moving. And he's like, all right, well, you got to do what you got to do. And I had all this equipment. I had like speakers the size of washing machines.

I made them myself. Like I went to downtown, bought tweeters and the subwoofers and all that. And my cousin, I came back to get my stuff. And it was all gone.

I made them myself. Like I went to downtown, bought tweeters and the subwoofers and all that. And my cousin, I came back to get my stuff. And it was all gone.

And I was like, yo, Reedy, you need to give my stuff back. He was actually 250 pounds at 14 years old. So I knew he could beat me, you know. Yeah. But I, you know, because I was like 125 pounds. And so I just had to take that on the chin and find something else to do. I told his mother, I said, Mom, he took my stuff. He just took your stuff. She said, you ain't expect to live here for free.

And I was like, yo, Reedy, you need to give my stuff back. He was actually 250 pounds at 14 years old. So I knew he could beat me, you know. Yeah. But I, you know, because I was like 125 pounds. And so I just had to take that on the chin and find something else to do. I told his mother, I said, Mom, he took my stuff. He just took your stuff. She said, you ain't expect to live here for free.

I was like, you were in on it? Yeah. What? He took all my stuff and he brought it up to a barbershop. I taught him how to cut hair. Took it to this barbershop and I was just like, what am I going to do? And then I found standup. So it's interesting how, where the journey will take you. I wouldn't have done standup if I was going to be, if I was really committed to being the DJ.

I was like, you were in on it? Yeah. What? He took all my stuff and he brought it up to a barbershop. I taught him how to cut hair. Took it to this barbershop and I was just like, what am I going to do? And then I found standup. So it's interesting how, where the journey will take you. I wouldn't have done standup if I was going to be, if I was really committed to being the DJ.

That's one. I think competition is good, you know, if it's... a healthy competition. Like we compete like comedically, right? So the joke is thrown on the table and then we all, you know, give our different takes on it. But whoever threw it on the table, that's their joke.

That's one. I think competition is good, you know, if it's... a healthy competition. Like we compete like comedically, right? So the joke is thrown on the table and then we all, you know, give our different takes on it. But whoever threw it on the table, that's their joke.

And I got to go get it.

And I got to go get it.

Yeah, I got to go get it.

Yeah, I got to go get it.

She's like, go get me a soda. Yeah. If Keenan, if Marlon walks in the room and, you know, if I walk in a room and there's no seats.

She's like, go get me a soda. Yeah. If Keenan, if Marlon walks in the room and, you know, if I walk in a room and there's no seats.

Marlon gets up.

Marlon gets up.

Sean and Keenan will sit. Yeah. And Marlon will get up. You sit here. And my son will have to.

Sean and Keenan will sit. Yeah. And Marlon will get up. You sit here. And my son will have to.

Yeah, I was scared to death of my father. Yeah. Scared. Like, he would pants my father. Like, my father would be talking, he'd just snatch his pants off. Oh, dad. And for me, that was like a suicide. That's why you're so crazy.

Yeah, I was scared to death of my father. Yeah. Scared. Like, he would pants my father. Like, my father would be talking, he'd just snatch his pants off. Oh, dad. And for me, that was like a suicide. That's why you're so crazy.

Like, I used to go and we used to, like, rob houses for stereo, for music equipment, DJ stuff.

Like, I used to go and we used to, like, rob houses for stereo, for music equipment, DJ stuff.

No, but the stuff my cousin took was stuff that I bought. Oh, unlike the stuff. But listen, I went over with my friend. He's like, that's not the point. That's not the point.

No, but the stuff my cousin took was stuff that I bought. Oh, unlike the stuff. But listen, I went over with my friend. He's like, that's not the point. That's not the point.

I couldn't bring it home.

I couldn't bring it home.

So my dad was like the security guy at Best Buy. You need a receipt. Where'd you get it from?

So my dad was like the security guy at Best Buy. You need a receipt. Where'd you get it from?

And where'd you make the money? You couldn't just bring stolen anything.

And where'd you make the money? You couldn't just bring stolen anything.

Into the house. Yeah, yeah. I had a friend, Seymour. His mother would be shouting out requests.

Into the house. Yeah, yeah. I had a friend, Seymour. His mother would be shouting out requests.

But it was just a different kind of upbringing, you know? And that fear kept me out of a lot of trouble. Stuff that I would think about doing, I wouldn't do because I thought about my dad. If I got arrested, you know what? Keep me here, officer.

But it was just a different kind of upbringing, you know? And that fear kept me out of a lot of trouble. Stuff that I would think about doing, I wouldn't do because I thought about my dad. If I got arrested, you know what? Keep me here, officer.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. You know, I don't want my father picking me up. I wouldn't even tell him my name. I'm serious. I was arrested. Well, today just let me go because I wasn't telling my name.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. You know, I don't want my father picking me up. I wouldn't even tell him my name. I'm serious. I was arrested. Well, today just let me go because I wasn't telling my name.

Yes.

Yes.

Nope, never.

Nope, never.

My mom said, get out of here with that stupid look on your face. That's exactly it.

My mom said, get out of here with that stupid look on your face. That's exactly it.

The other thing we had to do was... dinner time altogether.

The other thing we had to do was... dinner time altogether.

I know that if we had a phone, if we had dinner, well, even when we didn't have dinner, we had to sit around so he could tell us there ain't no food. And then we'd have a discussion about it. But, you know, dinner was something that you didn't have an option. It was no, can I go? That was the same way in our house. Sit your butt down in your seat and eat. And then we had to clean up.

I know that if we had a phone, if we had dinner, well, even when we didn't have dinner, we had to sit around so he could tell us there ain't no food. And then we'd have a discussion about it. But, you know, dinner was something that you didn't have an option. It was no, can I go? That was the same way in our house. Sit your butt down in your seat and eat. And then we had to clean up.

Like I would have to wash dishes or I would have to, you know, take out the garbage to clean. You know, each one had an assignment. So those kind of things you realize we can't watch TV until we all do this. Until the kitchen is clean. Right? So it's simple things like that that teach your kids to work together.

Like I would have to wash dishes or I would have to, you know, take out the garbage to clean. You know, each one had an assignment. So those kind of things you realize we can't watch TV until we all do this. Until the kitchen is clean. Right? So it's simple things like that that teach your kids to work together.

And it's weird how that is in the next generation. I was just going to ask that. How you doing with your own kids? Amar and Anaya. You got Anaya in Berlin that paired up. You got Kayden and Maverick. Each one has their...

And it's weird how that is in the next generation. I was just going to ask that. How you doing with your own kids? Amar and Anaya. You got Anaya in Berlin that paired up. You got Kayden and Maverick. Each one has their...

You know, and some things I should have done just like my parents. But I was so, like, traumatized growing up that, like, with my kids, my sons, I didn't like spanking them. I hated when I had to spank them. Like, it hurt me.

You know, and some things I should have done just like my parents. But I was so, like, traumatized growing up that, like, with my kids, my sons, I didn't like spanking them. I hated when I had to spank them. Like, it hurt me.

But see, boys are different, though. Like, boys are actively seeking...

But see, boys are different, though. Like, boys are actively seeking...

They just do the stupidest thing. They jump off the roof. My son would jump off the roof into the pool. Yeah. Watch this, Dad. And he's in the pool. And you just go, do you know how many different ways you could hurt yourself? But that was their thing, riding the bike down the hill backwards. It's like, what are you guys doing?

They just do the stupidest thing. They jump off the roof. My son would jump off the roof into the pool. Yeah. Watch this, Dad. And he's in the pool. And you just go, do you know how many different ways you could hurt yourself? But that was their thing, riding the bike down the hill backwards. It's like, what are you guys doing?

But that's just something in, I think, boys' DNA that just makes them just a little aggressive and stupid. You know, whereas my daughters, I talk to them. You know, I frustrate them, you know, because like with my daughters, I realize, you know, at a certain age, they don't want to hear what you guys are saying.

But that's just something in, I think, boys' DNA that just makes them just a little aggressive and stupid. You know, whereas my daughters, I talk to them. You know, I frustrate them, you know, because like with my daughters, I realize, you know, at a certain age, they don't want to hear what you guys are saying.

Yeah. And so what I do is go, well— You're right where you want to be, baby. And when you get tired of being there, you'll change. That doesn't help me right now. But I know that I can't tell you. You don't want to hear what I have to say about your boyfriend.

Yeah. And so what I do is go, well— You're right where you want to be, baby. And when you get tired of being there, you'll change. That doesn't help me right now. But I know that I can't tell you. You don't want to hear what I have to say about your boyfriend.

You realize if you try to stay with the boyfriend, say something about someone's boyfriend, then you're attacking their ability to pick someone for themselves. So they defend them. They hold on and they fight. But if you just step back, then they're going to see that they see what I see. And they'll see it quicker. Oh, this dude ain't nothing.

You realize if you try to stay with the boyfriend, say something about someone's boyfriend, then you're attacking their ability to pick someone for themselves. So they defend them. They hold on and they fight. But if you just step back, then they're going to see that they see what I see. And they'll see it quicker. Oh, this dude ain't nothing.

That's because you had the Secret Service watch.

That's because you had the Secret Service watch.

Well, if you ask my opinion, I'm going to tell you. But if you don't, Kenan always say, I'm worthy inquiry. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. If you don't, then you got to let life talk. Yeah.

Well, if you ask my opinion, I'm going to tell you. But if you don't, Kenan always say, I'm worthy inquiry. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. If you don't, then you got to let life talk. Yeah.

I love you, period, right? But somebody got to write a rule book on how I need to treat you. Because I don't know, like, hey, buddy, can I shake your girl? Can I put you in a headlock? Can I treat you like my other nephews? I don't know. And I don't want you to ever feel that I'm judging you. That's right.

I love you, period, right? But somebody got to write a rule book on how I need to treat you. Because I don't know, like, hey, buddy, can I shake your girl? Can I put you in a headlock? Can I treat you like my other nephews? I don't know. And I don't want you to ever feel that I'm judging you. That's right.

You too. Thank you. Thank you.

You too. Thank you. Thank you.

Just enjoy the ride. Yeah. Says the older sibling.

Just enjoy the ride. Yeah. Says the older sibling.

Says the bully.

Says the bully.

Yeah. Well, you know, somebody got to put you in check. And that's my job. But, you know, it's a privilege to work with family. Yeah. You know, and especially when you get along. You know what I mean? And you guys, this chemistry is palpable. You know, you can just tell that y'all love each other.

Yeah. Well, you know, somebody got to put you in check. And that's my job. But, you know, it's a privilege to work with family. Yeah. You know, and especially when you get along. You know what I mean? And you guys, this chemistry is palpable. You know, you can just tell that y'all love each other.

I think you just have to love them and accept everything. Yeah. And expect nothing. Because you can't put all your hopes and dreams in them. You have to let them... What is life if you don't learn lessons? And they... they will figure it out. It's four of them. But right now, they're probably figuring out who's the alpha.

I think you just have to love them and accept everything. Yeah. And expect nothing. Because you can't put all your hopes and dreams in them. You have to let them... What is life if you don't learn lessons? And they... they will figure it out. It's four of them. But right now, they're probably figuring out who's the alpha.

Right? Some of it is like trying to figure out what the hierarchy is. That's just the natural order of things. You have to just trust that They're going to figure it out. And you're there setting the example of what it ultimately should be.

Right? Some of it is like trying to figure out what the hierarchy is. That's just the natural order of things. You have to just trust that They're going to figure it out. And you're there setting the example of what it ultimately should be.

Sometimes it's you. My mother would go, where'd you get that foul mouth from? Oh.

Sometimes it's you. My mother would go, where'd you get that foul mouth from? Oh.

Thank you. It takes amazing to know amazing.

Thank you. It takes amazing to know amazing.

Oh, I think your dad's doing an amazing job.

Oh, I think your dad's doing an amazing job.

Oh, he's just looking for a compliment. No, I paid him.

Oh, he's just looking for a compliment. No, I paid him.

Yeah. We have five sisters. They're all so talented. They're hilarious. Really? Yeah. You hang around and all they do is crack jokes. And they're funny. But...

Yeah. We have five sisters. They're all so talented. They're hilarious. Really? Yeah. You hang around and all they do is crack jokes. And they're funny. But...

They're just funny people in the world. I don't think they can handle the rejection that comes with, you know, like going on stage. The thing about doing standup is you're not funny until you're funny. And it takes, you got to put in 10,000 hours to figure out what's not funny.

They're just funny people in the world. I don't think they can handle the rejection that comes with, you know, like going on stage. The thing about doing standup is you're not funny until you're funny. And it takes, you got to put in 10,000 hours to figure out what's not funny.

I had an aunt. She just passed in February. And she... Wasn't my favorite. You know, you're not supposed to have favorites. But she told all my brothers and sisters, Damon's my favorite.

I had an aunt. She just passed in February. And she... Wasn't my favorite. You know, you're not supposed to have favorites. But she told all my brothers and sisters, Damon's my favorite.

And, like, was not ashamed to say it. And, you know, being born with a club foot, it's like God gave me somebody. That was on your side. And it's powerful to have somebody that loves you unconditionally. And I would get in trouble in school and, you know, with the law. And my aunt never said nothing to me. And I recently asked her, I said, Aunt Mary, why are you never?

And, like, was not ashamed to say it. And, you know, being born with a club foot, it's like God gave me somebody. That was on your side. And it's powerful to have somebody that loves you unconditionally. And I would get in trouble in school and, you know, with the law. And my aunt never said nothing to me. And I recently asked her, I said, Aunt Mary, why are you never?

Like, check me because I've seen you check your own kids. She said, well, it's your mama's job to beat you. My job is to love you. Yeah. And I think it's so powerful to have that person in your life. And that's who she's helped.

Like, check me because I've seen you check your own kids. She said, well, it's your mama's job to beat you. My job is to love you. Yeah. And I think it's so powerful to have that person in your life. And that's who she's helped.

He never had a birthday. Like, it was always about my mother. Oh, yeah. When she finally died, then he had a birthday, and it was his saddest birthday. I mean...

He never had a birthday. Like, it was always about my mother. Oh, yeah. When she finally died, then he had a birthday, and it was his saddest birthday. I mean...

The two of us. The greatest things that we have is each other. And like, I don't have a lot of friends. Marlon has a lot of friends. Kim has a lot of friends.

The two of us. The greatest things that we have is each other. And like, I don't have a lot of friends. Marlon has a lot of friends. Kim has a lot of friends.

See what I mean? See what I mean? Okay. I don't really trust people. He's trying to be open. And ridiculed. And, you know, so friends have kind of turned on me. So I have his friends. Yeah. They're my friends. And, you know, I'm friends with them because they're vetted. You know what I mean? And as long as he love them, I love them. Yeah. When he stop loving them, I don't have to feel nothing.

See what I mean? See what I mean? Okay. I don't really trust people. He's trying to be open. And ridiculed. And, you know, so friends have kind of turned on me. So I have his friends. Yeah. They're my friends. And, you know, I'm friends with them because they're vetted. You know what I mean? And as long as he love them, I love them. Yeah. When he stop loving them, I don't have to feel nothing.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, we couldn't fist fight. Because then you had to fight my father. And he didn't. My father just didn't. He was like a guy who would... you know, send a message to all of you, and you don't want to be the example. Yeah. You know, you don't, so, yeah, we didn't, it wasn't a real fist fight.

Yeah, we couldn't fist fight. Because then you had to fight my father. And he didn't. My father just didn't. He was like a guy who would... you know, send a message to all of you, and you don't want to be the example. Yeah. You know, you don't, so, yeah, we didn't, it wasn't a real fist fight.

I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. I used to laugh at him. We used to laugh at him because he would wear a suit with a baseball hat, like a momentary hat. He had all the hats from our shows, and he would wear them because he was proud of us. And so that's why I wear this in honor of my dad. And I wear my mother's underwear because—

So Keenan used to walk around in Kung Fu slippers. He was just a target. He had noon chucks. And he was really good. He would kick the ceiling. And then one day he got into a fight with this dude, Bobby Boyd in the in a building, in the lobby of the building. And Keenan, you know, everybody's like, oh, snap. He's going to do the karate. And then Keenan went to take off his shirt. Oh, man.

I wear this baseball hat and suit because of my dad. I used to laugh at him. We used to laugh at him because he would wear a suit with a baseball hat, like a momentary hat. He had all the hats from our shows, and he would wear them because he was proud of us. And so that's why I wear this in honor of my dad. And I wear my mother's underwear. No, I'm kidding.

It was that, and he just had it together. Kenan had vision, right? I had an older brother, Dwayne, who was paranoid schizophrenic, so you couldn't take any direction from him.

Turn the wheel!

Yeah, Kenan was always like, you know, he was an A student. You know, he was. It's interesting how life will take you on this journey. Bruce Lee said, stay liquid. So you always end up where you're supposed to be. And so with Kenan, he told me he went to Tuskegee. And he went there to learn that the improvisation club was two miles away from where we live. Oh, wow. Yeah.

Because he used to like stand, they had a totem pole and he would stand out there and tell jokes like every day. And someone came up to him and said, man, you're funny. You should do stand up comedy. Like right down the block from where we grew up. That's what he says he learned from college.

Yeah. And for me, my journey, I started out wanting to be a singer. Can you sing? No, when I was young. No, when I was young. That seems like an obvious.

I hate the way you sing. Now I can't. Because when I went through puberty, I told my mother, I said, Ma, could I take some lessons? She said, boy, I can't even feed you.

You don't get no lessons. Find something else to do. That's what she told me. Next. And so I started DJing. And that was my dream. I wanted to be a DJ. Craig was a DJ in college. I still act at turntables. Did you mix with him? Yeah. And with stems and all the stuff you can do now.

Craigie Craig.

My man. My man. Yeah. And so I went to... We used to throw parties up when I moved out of my house, my parents' house, at 16. I lived with my cousin up in Marble Hill, the projects. And we used to throw parties and all the girls would be out there. It was fun. And then when Keenan moved to California, he gave me his apartment. In Washington Heights. And I was like, okay, cool.

So I told my cousin, I'm moving. And he's like, all right, well, you got to do what you got to do. And I had all this equipment. I had like speakers the size of washing machines.

I made them myself. Like I went to downtown, bought tweeters and the subwoofers and all that. And my cousin, I came back to get my stuff. And it was all gone.

And I was like, yo, Reedy, you need to give my stuff back. He was actually 250 pounds at 14 years old. So I knew he could beat me, you know. Yeah. But I, you know, because I was like 125 pounds. And so I just had to take that on the chin and find something else to do. I told his mother, I said, Mom, he took my stuff. He just took your stuff. She said, you ain't expect to live here for free.

I was like, you were in on it? Yeah. What? He took all my stuff and he brought it up to a barbershop. I taught him how to cut hair. Took it to this barbershop and I was just like, what am I going to do? And then I found standup. So it's interesting how, where the journey will take you. I wouldn't have done standup if I was going to be, if I was really committed to being the DJ.

That's one. I think competition is good, you know, if it's... a healthy competition. Like we compete like comedically, right? So the joke is thrown on the table and then we all, you know, give our different takes on it. But whoever threw it on the table, that's their joke.

And I got to go get it.

Yeah, I got to go get it.

She's like, go get me a soda. Yeah. If Keenan, if Marlon walks in the room and, you know, if I walk in a room and there's no seats.

Marlon gets up.

Sean and Keenan will sit. Yeah. And Marlon will get up. You sit here. And my son will have to.

Yeah, I was scared to death of my father. Yeah. Scared. Like, he would pants my father. Like, my father would be talking, he'd just snatch his pants off. Oh, dad. And for me, that was like a suicide. That's why you're so crazy.

Like, I used to go and we used to, like, rob houses for stereo, for music equipment, DJ stuff.

No, but the stuff my cousin took was stuff that I bought. Oh, unlike the stuff. But listen, I went over with my friend. He's like, that's not the point. That's not the point.

I couldn't bring it home.

So my dad was like the security guy at Best Buy. You need a receipt. Where'd you get it from?

And where'd you make the money? You couldn't just bring stolen anything.

Into the house. Yeah, yeah. I had a friend, Seymour. His mother would be shouting out requests.

But it was just a different kind of upbringing, you know? And that fear kept me out of a lot of trouble. Stuff that I would think about doing, I wouldn't do because I thought about my dad. If I got arrested, you know what? Keep me here, officer.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. You know, I don't want my father picking me up. I wouldn't even tell him my name. I'm serious. I was arrested. Well, today just let me go because I wasn't telling my name.

Yes.

Nope, never.

My mom said, get out of here with that stupid look on your face. That's exactly it.

The other thing we had to do was... dinner time altogether.

I know that if we had a phone, if we had dinner, well, even when we didn't have dinner, we had to sit around so he could tell us there ain't no food. And then we'd have a discussion about it. But, you know, dinner was something that you didn't have an option. It was no, can I go? That was the same way in our house. Sit your butt down in your seat and eat. And then we had to clean up.

Like I would have to wash dishes or I would have to, you know, take out the garbage to clean. You know, each one had an assignment. So those kind of things you realize we can't watch TV until we all do this. Until the kitchen is clean. Right? So it's simple things like that that teach your kids to work together.

And it's weird how that is in the next generation. I was just going to ask that. How you doing with your own kids? Amar and Anaya. You got Anaya in Berlin that paired up. You got Kayden and Maverick. Each one has their...

You know, and some things I should have done just like my parents. But I was so, like, traumatized growing up that, like, with my kids, my sons, I didn't like spanking them. I hated when I had to spank them. Like, it hurt me.

But see, boys are different, though. Like, boys are actively seeking...

They just do the stupidest thing. They jump off the roof. My son would jump off the roof into the pool. Yeah. Watch this, Dad. And he's in the pool. And you just go, do you know how many different ways you could hurt yourself? But that was their thing, riding the bike down the hill backwards. It's like, what are you guys doing?

But that's just something in, I think, boys' DNA that just makes them just a little aggressive and stupid. You know, whereas my daughters, I talk to them. You know, I frustrate them, you know, because like with my daughters, I realize, you know, at a certain age, they don't want to hear what you guys are saying.

Yeah. And so what I do is go, well— You're right where you want to be, baby. And when you get tired of being there, you'll change. That doesn't help me right now. But I know that I can't tell you. You don't want to hear what I have to say about your boyfriend.

You realize if you try to stay with the boyfriend, say something about someone's boyfriend, then you're attacking their ability to pick someone for themselves. So they defend them. They hold on and they fight. But if you just step back, then they're going to see that they see what I see. And they'll see it quicker. Oh, this dude ain't nothing.

That's because you had the Secret Service watch.

Well, if you ask my opinion, I'm going to tell you. But if you don't, Kenan always say, I'm worthy inquiry. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. If you don't, then you got to let life talk. Yeah.

I love you, period, right? But somebody got to write a rule book on how I need to treat you. Because I don't know, like, hey, buddy, can I shake your girl? Can I put you in a headlock? Can I treat you like my other nephews? I don't know. And I don't want you to ever feel that I'm judging you. That's right.

You too. Thank you. Thank you.

Just enjoy the ride. Yeah. Says the older sibling.

Says the bully.

Yeah. Well, you know, somebody got to put you in check. And that's my job. But, you know, it's a privilege to work with family. Yeah. You know, and especially when you get along. You know what I mean? And you guys, this chemistry is palpable. You know, you can just tell that y'all love each other.

I think you just have to love them and accept everything. Yeah. And expect nothing. Because you can't put all your hopes and dreams in them. You have to let them... What is life if you don't learn lessons? And they... they will figure it out. It's four of them. But right now, they're probably figuring out who's the alpha.

Right? Some of it is like trying to figure out what the hierarchy is. That's just the natural order of things. You have to just trust that They're going to figure it out. And you're there setting the example of what it ultimately should be.

Sometimes it's you. My mother would go, where'd you get that foul mouth from? Oh.

Thank you. It takes amazing to know amazing.

Oh, I think your dad's doing an amazing job.

Oh, he's just looking for a compliment. No, I paid him.

Yeah. We have five sisters. They're all so talented. They're hilarious. Really? Yeah. You hang around and all they do is crack jokes. And they're funny. But...

They're just funny people in the world. I don't think they can handle the rejection that comes with, you know, like going on stage. The thing about doing standup is you're not funny until you're funny. And it takes, you got to put in 10,000 hours to figure out what's not funny.

I had an aunt. She just passed in February. And she... Wasn't my favorite. You know, you're not supposed to have favorites. But she told all my brothers and sisters, Damon's my favorite.

And, like, was not ashamed to say it. And, you know, being born with a club foot, it's like God gave me somebody. That was on your side. And it's powerful to have somebody that loves you unconditionally. And I would get in trouble in school and, you know, with the law. And my aunt never said nothing to me. And I recently asked her, I said, Aunt Mary, why are you never?

Like, check me because I've seen you check your own kids. She said, well, it's your mama's job to beat you. My job is to love you. Yeah. And I think it's so powerful to have that person in your life. And that's who she's helped.

He never had a birthday. Like, it was always about my mother. Oh, yeah. When she finally died, then he had a birthday, and it was his saddest birthday. I mean...

The two of us. The greatest things that we have is each other. And like, I don't have a lot of friends. Marlon has a lot of friends. Kim has a lot of friends.

See what I mean? See what I mean? Okay. I don't really trust people. He's trying to be open. And ridiculed. And, you know, so friends have kind of turned on me. So I have his friends. Yeah. They're my friends. And, you know, I'm friends with them because they're vetted. You know what I mean? And as long as he love them, I love them. Yeah. When he stop loving them, I don't have to feel nothing.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, we couldn't fist fight. Because then you had to fight my father. And he didn't. My father just didn't. He was like a guy who would... you know, send a message to all of you, and you don't want to be the example. Yeah. You know, you don't, so, yeah, we didn't, it wasn't a real fist fight.