Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Brandon Ash-Mohammed

Like those he’s inspired by, Brandon Ash-Mohammed has overcome his fair share of adversity. It’s what led him to discover his passion for comedy and the path he’s on today. This past June, he broke barriers as the first-ever queer Black Canadian comedian to release a comedy album. We caught up with Brandon to celebrate that milestone and to talk all things Capricornication.

PC: How did you discover your passion for comedy?
Brandon: I have the classic comedian story of being bullied a lot in school and using humor as a defense mechanism. I basically discovered that I was funny at camp by being able to do the voice of Hermione Granger perfectly. All the boys who would have usually bullied me thought I was amazing as a result and would make me do the voice to make them laugh but also turn them on. That’s another story though.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Brandon: I would say the biggest influence on my career hasn’t necessarily always come from just comedians but has come from listening to the stories of various influential people and learning how they overcame adversity.

Two of my biggest inspirations have been Tina Turner and Oprah. Both of their stories are so insane, and for them to have overcome all they have and come on top continuously gives me hope in my own career and inspires me to keep pushing and trying to break barriers.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Brandon: Aw! Thank you! I would say creating the first QTBIPOC comedy show in Canada: The Ethnic Rainbow. I was one of two QTBIPOC stand-ups in Canada for a long time. So it meant so much to not only have enough people do a show specifically for us but also for it to succeed.

PC: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Brandon: I used to think success in comedy was about who’s the funniest. It kind of is when your identity doesn’t challenge what’s the norm of our society. But success in comedy is often based in politics: the politics of how you play the game and the political agenda and idealism of the tastemakers in charge of the industry. I know that now and wish I knew it going into this.

PC: With Capricornication, you’re making history as the first-ever queer Black Canadian comedian to release a comedy album. What has that milestone meant to you?
Brandon: This milestone has meant so much to me. It makes me emotional to think about all the Black and Black queer people who have come before me and didn’t get the chance to make it this far! They sacrificed so I didn’t have to. I want to do my part too, so I plan on giving a hundred percent of the first month of album sales to Black Lives Matter Toronto, Soy Toronto, and 2 Spirits! All organizations supporting LGBTQ2S+ Black and Indigenous people in Canada! If you buy it through this link all of it will go directly to the charities.

PC: What can fans expect with Capicornication?
Brandon: I think they can expect a new voice in comedy! I don’t think there’s anyone doing comedy in the way I do it right now. I’m a sassy, whimsical weirdo. I also think I have a very unique perspective. I’m a gay multiethnic Black Caribbean Canadian man with a Muslim last name! Ain’t nobody heard from someone like me before!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Brandon: Arthur

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Brandon: A View from the Top

PC: Favorite book?
Brandon: I really loved Tina Turner’s recent book.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Brandon: Hairspray

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Brandon: I listen to some country music! It’s either Shania Twain or Black country artists like Mickey Guyton!

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Brandon: I would want it to be like Fantasia in Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story. I want to play myself! If not, I want Tahj Mowry to gain a hundred pounds and start dating dudes in preparation for playing me! He better win the Oscar too!

To keep up with Brandon, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.