DEBUT FULL-LENGTH ALBUM:
Who The Hell is Dwayne Kennedy?
Cover art by Katy Porter
After a career spanning over three decades, Who the Hell is Dwayne Kennedy? is shockingly Dwayne Kennedy’s FIRST full-length comedy album. The idea that jokes that influenced a generation of comedians could be lost in time was a thought too unbearable for comedian Hari Kondabolu and multi-disciplinary artist Ahamefule J. Oluo, who decided to finally record and release the work of this comedic master. United Shades of America (CNN) host, comedian and long-time friend, W. Kamau Bell agreed to co-produce.
On this album, Dwayne Kennedy is able to talk about racism through a discussion of the privilege necessary to be a serial killer. He imagines our technological future with bits about a talking house (who is a bigot) and the possibility of losing your wife to a robot. He depicts God as a vengeful, abusive partner who is a little too precious about his fruit. This record is both timeless and timely, hilarious and brilliant, accessible and unique.
The debut release from Oluo’s label, Seattle-based Oak Head Records, the album was recorded over a weekend at San Francisco’s legendary Punchline Comedy Club in August of 2018.
“This Chicago native is versatile, but he’s also funny as heck and is not afraid to be satirical, philosophical, and political. He absolutely feeds on hypocrisy, and did we mention he’s funny as heck? It’s true.”
– The Detroit Metro Times
BIOGRAPHY
DWAYNE KENNEDY is a stand-up comedian, actor and writer. As a producer, he won a 2019 Emmy Award Winner for the CNN original series United Shades of America.
Described as a “world-class stand-up” by The Village Voice and “legendary” by the Chicago Tribune, Dwayne is one of the funniest, most thought-provoking and influential comedians of our time. His satirical diversions and piercing perspective on social and world issues showcase a comedic genius heralded by the likes of Chris Rock and Marc Maron.
Winner of Best Comedian at the 2002 HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Dwayne has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The New Negroes and has both a Comedy Central Presents and Showtime special.
A former writer and correspondent for the Chris Rock-produced, critically acclaimed FX original series, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, Dwayne has also written for The Arsenio Hall Show (CBS) and The Orlando Jones Show (FX). Dwayne’s acting credits include roles on such classic series as Seinfeld, Martin, 227, Amen and the upcoming Lindy West/ Ahamefule J Oluo penned indie-film Thin Skin.
After self-releasing his debut EP in 2016, his first full-length comedy album Who The Hell Is Dwayne Kennedy? comes out on Oak Head Records in May 2020. The album was produced by Ahamefule J. Oluo and co-produced by comedians W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu.
COME SEE DWAYNE KENNEDY
