+1: Comedian Neal Brennan Of 'Chappelle's Show' And '3 Mics'

Timmhotep Aku is an occasional NPR Music contributor and guest host for our +1 podcasts. This week he talks with writer, comedian and hip-hop lover Neal Brennan. Comedy and hip-hop have a lot in common: Both are balms for the sting of the everyday struggle and both hold up a mirror to society's excesses, absurdities, and injustices. These two worlds come together in the work of writer and comedian Neal Brennan.As the co-creator of Chappelle's Show, he and his writing partner, Dave Chappelle created skits that were funny and provocative with a hip-hop sensibility. They lampooned rap stars like Lil' Jon and Sean "Puffy" Combs, while featuring artists like Kanye West, Common and The Roots as musical guests. In fact, when Jimmy Fallon was handed the reins of the Tonight Show Brennan was the one who recommended The Roots for the show's house band.In the decade after Chappelle's sudden departure and the end of the the show, Brennan's continued to work as a stand-up comic, writer, and director. On this week's +1 podcast, I talk with Brennan about his Netflix special and one-man show 3 Mics and some of the songs that have inspired what he calls the "stand up, one-liners and emotional stuff" seen on the show. Along the way, Brennan dispels some myths and gives insight on just who the man behind the mic is.