Hello reader! Today we are chatting with Mu Cuzzo, a hilarious comedian and producer making waves in the regional comedy scene. He’s now curating the Positive Vibes Only Festival, set to take place on Monday, August 5th at Brambly Park in Richmond, VA. Don’t miss it.
Gabe Santamaria: Alright, we’re live. How are you doing, bud?
Mu Cuzzo: I’m doing pretty good. How about yourself?
GS: I’m good. Just chilling out, getting busy, and yeah, glad you took the time to do this. You’re like the guy in between Richmond and Petersburg.
MC: Yeah, exactly. People call me a local comedian. I’m in Richmond and Petersburg. I’m regional now. I’m stepping it up.
GS: Yeah, just jacking it up, dude. You’re not just a comedian but a producer, and your name’s been brought up a lot because you put on a lot of people.
MC: Yeah, I guess the best title you can call it is a “willing vessel.” I try to be in position for it to flow through me, specifically through comedy and community engagement. It’s fun just being able to witness it honestly.
GS: How long have you been doing it for? When did you start?
MC: As far as community service and engaging with the community, that’s been since my parents were always involved with activism. Comedy specifically, seven years ago. I started with hip hop before that, doing songs with Rick Ross and Young Dro.
In 2017, I got serious about stand-up and have been doing my thing since then. Now, I have the opportunity to curate the Positive Vibes Only Festival, which is going to be Monday, August 5th at Brambly Park in Scott’s Addition. It’s my biggest venture yet. We have the Virginia Showrunners Showcase, It’s gonna be a bunch of comedians that run shows like Tyler Bauer, Monty Job, Will Parker, and a headlining list with Patrice DeVeaux, James Lawson, Heather Joyce, and Remo. It starts at 5 p.m. and it’s going to be crazy.
GS: That’s awesome. Yeah, that’s huge. I think I met you one time before. I was kind of hammered, but I did a live podcast whats his face, years ago, pre-COVID.
MC: Yeah, I remember that. [laughs]
GS: And you came up to me, asked if I wanted to do a spot on a show. I said I’m not a stand-up, but you still wanted me to do it. So, what did you do with hip hop?
MC: In DC, I was hooked up with a record label, Mercenary Records. We dropped a couple of albums and got nominated by the local radio station as breakout artist of the year. We lost to Wale, Tabby Bonet, and a couple of others. I moved to Virginia, and when you turn 40 and are still trying to be a rapper, you’re automatically a comedian. I rather them laugh at me on purpose, so I just changed crafts.
GS: How do you find the differences between the music business and the comedy business?
MC: In music, I let the business dictate the terms. In comedy, you have to be the business and put yourself on. You assume greatness. Those who can assume that you are what it is, that’s how you become it. The difference I’ve learned is you have to be the one to put yourself on in comedy.
GS: I feel like comedy is a really self-reliant thing as opposed to music, where you’re depending on so many people to get your ducks in a row.
MC: Exactly. In music, 20 people get paid off my song before I get the change that’s left over. In comedy, you learn to book yourself and pay yourself first. That’s when it’s really worth it.
GS: When you were growing up, what was making you laugh? Was there a show, a family member, or a comedian?
MC: Everything. I always loved comedy. I should have started earlier. I would sneak out of my room to watch HBO 30-minute specials with Garry Shandling and Paula Poundstone. Eddie Murphy was the first comedian I really admired. Later, I realized I could do it. I take something from every comedian, whether they make me laugh or not.
GS: As a producer for comedy shows, how has it been for you seeing stand-up evolve over the past five to six years, especially in Richmond?
MC: In Richmond, the audience’s response has changed. Five or six years ago, people were not responding the same way. With woke culture and cancel culture, comedians were scared to say certain things. Now, the right people are getting on stage because you should never be scared to say what’s on your mind. If you’re a bad person, you probably just don’t deserve to be on stage. We are open about all of it, and it’s a big community.
GS: Do you think the audience can smell fake on a comedian nowadays?
MC: In certain rooms, yes. In mainstream or white rooms, they let you get away with saying something fake. In black rooms, you have to be real all the time. You have to be authentic.
GS: There’s no better joy on a white comedian’s face than when he kills in a black room.
MC: That’s how you gotta do it. The greatest comedians do all the rooms. You don’t want to be good in just one room; you want to be good in all of them.
GS: With so many avenues to become a stand-up, either by taking classes or going straight to open mics, what would you recommend?
MC: Whatever you need to do to get on. I would recommend not doing either and just go back to your day job, honestly. Comedy is like a multiple flame. You have to hit open mics like going to the gym. Classes can teach you what to expect in the business and what industry standards are, but they can’t teach you how to be funny. They can teach you how to structure a joke, which is good for people who don’t understand the nuances of comedy.
GS: How do you think content creation and the internet have affected comedy overall?
MC: It’s been great for comedy overall, but for stand-up comedians, it’s been terrible as far as getting booked. Clubs now look at your following rather than how good you are. You have to be online and accessible to your fans. People have short memories, so you need to make videos and go live sometimes.
GS: It’s been cool to see comedy thriving in Richmond. You’ve been a huge part of that. Anything else you want to promote?
MC: You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram at mu804. I run an open mic every fourth Saturday at Soul Rebel in Petersburg. Brambly Park, Monday, August 5th, is Positive Vibes Only. It starts at 5 p.m. and is free. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. I also have karaoke every Sunday at Crafty Crab on the Southside. Follow me to keep up with everything I do. Let’s do another interview around Christmas.
GS: Alright, let’s do it. Thanks for your time, Mu.
Cuzco: Thanks, Gabe. I appreciate it.
