From jail to comedy. The man is making it so far.
A few years ago, at the age of 49 and decades after an FBI drug bust that resulted in prison time, Ali Siddiq was still on the lookout for his big break in the entertainment industry. Twenty-four years into his career as an ex-con turned stand-up comedian, Siddiq found a novel platform for his debut special, “It’s Bigger Than These Bars.” Filmed in a Texas jail and presented to inmates, the show aired on a popular comedy channel in 2018 but only for a limited time. The next notable opportunity came in the summer of 2019 when he appeared on NBC’s “Bring The Funny,” competing against and defeating the then-unknown Matt Rife in one of the rounds.
By 2022, Siddiq was producing and launching his stand-up specials independently, directly on his YouTube channel. His release, “The Domino Effect: Part 1,” was a hit, garnering over 15 million views in two years and securing a spot on several best-of-2022 comedy lists. Despite his viral success, unlike Rife, Siddiq has not secured a lucrative deal with Netflix.
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— Shipra Kapadia ( Mompreneur ) (@KapadiaShipra) June 16, 2024
“The Domino Effect” series continued with two more chapters, accumulating some 20 million views, where Siddiq detailed his upbringing in Houston’s projects, his involvement in drug dealing, and his consequent arrest at 19. The fourth and final chapter, “The Domino, Effect: Pins & Needles,” recently premiered on the subscription platform Moment and became available for free on YouTube just in time for Father’s Day.
In a recent interview, Siddiq reflected on his journey without a Netflix contract and from the familiarity of his hometown, Houston. He shared how Father’s Day feels different now as he navigates fatherhood with an adult son and a teenager. His sons’ experiences starkly contrast with his own; he grew up with less and was not close to his father but had a trusting relationship with his mother, which persists today.
Just wanna light a raw cone and watch the new Ali Siddiq special… pic.twitter.com/OXUZhbN3OT
— Richard Lawson (@Gi_VON_Chy) June 16, 2024
Despite starting his comedy career shortly after his release from a six-year prison stint, Siddiq took many years to gain traction, experiencing what he thought were breakthroughs multiple times. His local comedy scene efforts paid off when he won a Comedy Central competition in 2013, which brought him significant exposure and opportunities, including a memorable stint on Ari Shaffir’s “This Is Not Happening.”
Now known as one of the last independents in comedy, Siddiq is proud to have built his career without leaving Houston, contrasting the common trajectory of moving to LA or New York. His storytelling style, detailed and engaging, has set a standard that few have matched, including on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which have become new venues for comedians to gain fame.
Stand-up comedian Ali Siddiq is out of prison and has a new career. Learn more about his relationship with his late sister and biography. https://t.co/l7rruMtym4
( Napoli | Yoruba | Aisha | Oba of Benin | Igbo | Opay| Abuja | ) pic.twitter.com/lkKG9cKK0m— De’Blogger (@BlazingOnline) June 16, 2024
Siddiq is prepared to continue sharing his narrative with plans to release six specials over the next two years, documenting his life story and early comedy years in a forthcoming series titled “In the Shadows.” His approach remains rooted in authenticity, a reflection of his experiences and dedication to the art of comedy.
Key Points:
i. Initial Breakthrough: Ali Siddiq performed his debut special in a Texas jail, gaining later success with over 15 million views on YouTube for “The Domino Effect: Part 1.”
ii. Continued Success: Siddiq’s subsequent YouTube releases in “The Domino Effect” series detailed his challenging early life, accumulating around 20 million views.
iii. Personal and Family Dynamics: Siddiq reflected on the contrasts between his challenging upbringing and his sons’ more privileged lives in a recent interview.
iv. Independent Career Path: Siddiq has chosen to remain independent, forgoing traditional platforms like Netflix to directly engage his audience through YouTube.
v. Future Endeavors: Planning to release six more specials in the next two years, Siddiq aims to continue sharing his life story while staying rooted in Houston.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News