A New Crop of Black Comedians You Should Know

Comedians such as Ayo Edebiri, Jerrod Carmichael, and DC Young Fly J are leading the next generation of Black comedians.

Photo: Getty Images Johnny Louis // Michael Rowe/Getty Images for IMDb // Stewart Cook/Variety/Penske Media

Although much of it was lost in his nearly three-hour conversation with Shannon Sharpe, Katt Williams did say some positive things about other comedians. Specifically, he spoke about his appreciation for young comics.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Marvin Sapp Turns Viral Controversy Into A Song — But Not Everyone’s Praising Him

He said, “I haven’t seen a young comedian I don’t like.”

He named many talented people including Jess Hilaiours, Desi Banks, Kountry Wayne, DC Young Fly, and others. These are the Black people who are making sure the genre continues to thrive in the social media age.

Kountry Wayne

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

The first name Katt Williams mentioned was Kountry Wayne. He initially made a name for himself on “Wild ‘N Out” but has since become an accomplished comedian on his own, doing everything from stand-ups to social media skits, movies, and TV shows.

Desi Banks

Photo: Getty Images Anna Webber/Getty Images for The Recording Academy Photo: Getty Images Anna Webber/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

I know Druski is the man when it comes to social media skits, but Desi Banks has also been in the game for a long time. On top of his skits on Instagram, Banks doesn’t shy away from the stand-up world like other social media comedians.

Karlous Miller

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

This Atlanta funny man is in his prime. Earlier in his career, he worked hard, appearing on many sitcoms and improv shows, including “Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes,” “The Mo’nique Show,” and “Wild ‘N Out.” But has since found a groove as a member of the 85 South crew along with Chico Bean and DC Young Fly. The trio is doing so well that they even scored a Netflix special in 2023.

Chico Bean

Photo: Getty Images Johnny Louis Photo: Getty Images Johnny Louis

As a fellow member of the 85 South Crew, Chico Bean brings his flavor of comedy to the mix. It’s always fun to see how he will play off of Karlous Miller and DC Young Fly.

DC Young Fly

Photo: Getty Images Prince Williams/Wireimage Photo: Getty Images Prince Williams/Wireimage

Maybe the most well-known member of the 85 South trio is DC Young Fly, who is quite possibly one of the most popular young comedians out there.

Jess Hilarious

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Jess Hilarious has grown in front of our eyes. Hailing from Baltimore, MD., Jess lives up to her name and has created a variety of opportunities for herself. Along with being a full-fledged comic, she often co-hosts “The Breakfast Club” and serves as an emcee for many award shows.

Miss Pretty Ricky

Screenshot: YouTube Screenshot: YouTube

Miss Pretty Ricky is a star in the comedy world that you need to be paying attention to. Although she may have not gotten as many opportunities as others on this list, she’s done more than enough to gain praise from legends including Kevin Hart, Donnell Rawlings, and of course, Katt Williams.

Tacarra Williams

Photo: Getty Images Johnny Louis Photo: Getty Images Johnny Louis

Tacarra Williams is one of the many Black women who Katt Williams has helped over the years. She’s even opened for the legendary comic during his “Dark Matters” Tour.

Although she’s the last name Williams mentioned when talking about the next generation of Black comics, we have many others to recognize.

Druski

Although he wasn’t named by Katt Williams (maybe because he doesn’t do stand-up), it’s hard to not mention Druski. The guy is everywhere. At any given moment he’ll do a skit on social media that will instantly become viral. His ability to channel how people from different backgrounds act in their everyday lives is both hilarious and entertaining.

Jerrod Carmichael

Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison

Jerrod Carmichael is one of the more interesting comics on this list. While he’s also funny, he is also extremely thoughtful and intelligent. He’s also a talented writer, as he won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2022 for writing “Rothaniel” and also produced and directed the 2021 movie, “On The Count of Three.”

Ayo Edebiri

Ayo Edebiri is having a moment. She’s appeared in a myriad of movies and TV shows in the last three years and recently won a Golden Globe for her performance in season 2 of “The Bear.” If you’re wondering about her skills as a stand-up comedian, watch the above video.

Jaboukie Young-White

Photo: Getty Images Fred Hayes/Getty Images for SAGindie Photo: Getty Images Fred Hayes/Getty Images for SAGindie

Jaboukie Young-White is another talented comic who gained notoriety because of his presence on social media. To this day, he still is one of the funniest people you could follow on X. But he has since grown into a star in the entertainment industry. He recently starred in the Disney movie, “Strange World,” and is a regular correspondent for “The Daily Show.”

Marie Faustin

Marie Faustin is another Black woman who has been enjoying tremendous success as a comedian. Based out of Brooklyn, she’s a comic who you will continue to hear more about in the coming years.

Jeff Wright

Jeff Wright has gone from making people laugh on social media to making people laugh on TV (like many others on this list). Initially creating skits at home, Wright has appeared on some big shows including “Late Night with Seth Myers,” “Celebrity Game Face,” and “The Amber Ruffin Show.”

Josh Johnson

Photo: Getty Images NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Photo: Getty Images NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Hailing from Louisiana, Josh Johnson is an accomplished comedian who has appeared on a variety of funny shows including “The Comedy Lineup” and “The Daily Show.” His most recent comedy special “Up Here Killing Myself” is also a solid watch.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

A Full Timeline of Candace Owens' Bizarre Political Flip-Flops

A Full Timeline of Candace Owens’ Bizarre Political Flip-Flops

Candace Owens’ political affiliations have flipped and flopped so many times that now it’s time we finally talk about it all …
Carl Carlton and Other Black Celebs We Lost In 2025

Carl Carlton and Other Black Celebs We Lost In 2025

We are recognizing the Black celebs who left us in 2025 …
Inside the Explosive Delineation Debate Picking Apart Black Folk's Identity, History, and Who 'Belongs' 

Inside the Explosive Delineation Debate Picking Apart Black Folk’s Identity, History, and Who ‘Belongs’ 

From ancestry and reparations to defining identity, the delineation movement is sparking conversations, and controversy, across Black America …
Why Teyana Taylor's Latest Role Has Folks Comparing Her to Halle Berry in 'Monster's Ball'

Why Teyana Taylor’s Latest Role Has Folks Comparing Her to Halle Berry in ‘Monster’s Ball’

Teyana Taylor’s role in ‘One Battle After Another’ is sparking some serious conversations and it involves Halle Berry and broader representations of Black women …
Chicago-Area Man Allegedly Sexually Assaults Wheelchair-Bound Woman on Train, But it Gets Worse...

Chicago-Area Man Allegedly Sexually Assaults Wheelchair-Bound Woman on Train, But it Gets Worse…

Rasheed Griffin, of Calumet City, is accused of sexually assaulting a wheelchair-bound woman on the CTA. Then did the unthinkable in court …
How 'Owning Manhattan' Has Everyone Talking About Black Women's Struggle in Corporate America

How ‘Owning Manhattan’ Has Everyone Talking About Black Women’s Struggle in Corporate America

The newest season of ‘Owning Manhattan’ has Black women calling out the rough landscape of working in corporate America and the things they have to deal with! …
TikTok's Brenay Montague Breaks Her Silence on the $1.7M Cheating Scandal— And Fans Are Gagging

TikTok’s Brenay Montague Breaks Her Silence on the $1.7M Cheating Scandal— And Fans Are Gagging

Brenay Montague had viewers in a chokehold after admitting the $1.7 million cheating scandal “wasn’t worth it.” And the internet has some thoughts …
OnlyFans Model Connected to Sherrone Moore Breaks Her Silence About <i>That</i> Graphic Request

OnlyFans Model Connected to Sherrone Moore Breaks Her Silence About That Graphic Request

As the story around the Sherrone Moore scandal continues to get weirder, one OnlyFans model says the former football coach was frequently in her DMs …
Rep. Ilhan Omar's Beef with Trump Hits New Low After ICE Detains Her Son

Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Beef with Trump Hits New Low After ICE Detains Her Son

After months of beefing with Trump, Rep. Ilhan Omar claimed her son was targeted by ICE in Minnesota …
TGI Fridays Server’s Good Deed Goes Viral -- But There's a Problem

TGI Fridays Server’s Good Deed Goes Viral — But There’s a Problem

TGI Fridays server Brittany Bell touched millions with her heartfelt act of kindness, but the restaurant chain’s reward left social media unimpressed …
Why a N.C. Teen <i>Won't</i> Face Charges After Allegedly Stabbing His Classmate to Death

Why a N.C. Teen Won’t Face Charges After Allegedly Stabbing His Classmate to Death

A fight over a THC pen left one North Carolina 16-year-old dead. Now, his family wants justice after authorities refuse to press charges for this reason …
The Full Timeline of Ebro's Fiery Exit and Hot 97's Sudden Morning Show Collapse

The Full Timeline of Ebro’s Fiery Exit and Hot 97’s Sudden Morning Show Collapse

Now that the popular syndicated morning show “Ebro in the Morning” has come to an end, here’s what we know so far …
Stacey Abrams, New Report On Why Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais Is So Terrifying

Stacey Abrams, New Report On Why Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais Is So Terrifying

Stacey Abrams and Cliff Albright say Louisiana v. Callais could roll back the core of the Voting Rights Act, putting the future of Black voters at stake …
Russell Simmons Finally Responds to Ex Kimora Lee Simmons With This Shocking Claim

Russell Simmons Finally Responds to Ex Kimora Lee Simmons With This Shocking Claim

Russell Simmons isn’t letting ex Kimora Lee Simmons latest words paint him in a negative light without speaking up! …
Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images

Professor: Why Have Black Women Stayed Silent About Diddy, Other Men For So Long?

The Diddy docuseries does more than expose Sean Combs’s misdeeds. It shows how Black women sometimes hurt themselves in their attempt to protect Black men …
Christian Louboutin African Looks and Roots Will Surprise You

Christian Louboutin African Looks and Roots Will Surprise You

Did you know that Parisian designer Christian Louboutin has African ancestry? …
Black Women Find Connection Through Ebony & Orchid Dinners in New York City

Black Women Find Connection Through Ebony & Orchid Dinners in New York City

The Root spoke with Danielle Belton and Junny Ann Hibbert about their mission to foster community among Black women with Ebony & Orchid dinners in NYC …
Y’all Wanna Make Sherrone Moore About White Women…at the Expense of Black Women

Y’all Wanna Make Sherrone Moore About White Women…at the Expense of Black Women

OPINION: Sherrone Moore’s profound fall from grace may involve white women…but they aren’t the reason for it all …
Black Love Blooms In A Surprise Central Park Wedding

Black Love Blooms In A Surprise Central Park Wedding

A young Black couple got married in Central Park and TikTok is loving it! …
Internet Backlash  Follows Video of Uncle Nearest Whiskey Co-Founder with Man Claiming to be Former Schoolmate

Internet Backlash  Follows Video of Uncle Nearest Whiskey Co-Founder with Man Claiming to be Former Schoolmate

A video circulating online shows Fawn Weaver, co-founder of the whiskey company Uncle Nearest, reacting to a man who approached her at a recent book signing (most likely for her latest book, “Love & Whiskey: The Remarkable True Story of Jack Daniel”). When he did speak, he asked her if …