Cedric the Entertainer looks back on life before the laughs with Stephen A. Smith

On the latest edition of K[no]w Mercy with Stephen A. Smith, host Stephen A. welcomes one of the funniest men to ever grace the comedy stage, the incomparable Cedric The Entertainer.

LISTEN NOW: K[no]w Mercy: Cedric the Entertainer

He is known as one of the original Kings of Comedy -- along with DL Hughley, Steve Harvey, and the late Bernie Mac -- as well as his roles in the Barbershop and Madagasgar trilogies, The Steve Harvey Show, The Neighborhood, and more. Today, comedian Cedric The Entertainer sits down with host Stephen A. Smith on his K[no]w Mercy podcast to discuss his life before comedy, longevity and power in Hollywood, and the state of politics and social justice today.

When you think about the word 'success' and what that truly epitomizes, for some that could mean becoming the greatest in one's field or shining brighter than the rest. For Stephen A. Smith, one word comes to mind: Longevity. Sure you could have a great game, great month, or a great season, but withstanding the test of time and consistently operating at a high level, "that's the true test of greatness," he says.

With all of his accomplishments in mind, the brightest shining moment in his career, Cedric admits, goes all the way back to when he was featured in Jet magazine after winning a comedy competition in Chicago. "I just knew from that point, because that was the litmus for us back then. If you were part of Black publications, you knew that that audience loved you, was with you, and that's it."

"Of course now, the Bud Light commercial was probably one of those transferring things because it was on the Super Bowl," he adds. "It won the Super Bowl that year, my audience grew bigger. You recognize the appeal that having people walk up to you in the airport is totally different than walking in the barbershop and everybody knows who you are. You can't argue with 'The Original Kings Of Comedy,' 'Barbershop 1' -- all those things are pretty big in transferring me to the next level."

Listen to the full conversation with Cedric The Entertainer above on K[no]w Mercy with Stephen A. Smith -- now playing on Audacy.

Stephen A. Smith knows mercy… when it’s warranted. On “Know Mercy” Stephen A. will give you his straight shooter point of view beyond the world of sports, breaking barriers and pulling back the curtain on politics, entertainment, and business. Three times a week, you’ll hear his unfiltered opinions on front-page news and pertinent cultural events, as well as interviews with outspoken celebrities and thought leaders across the societal arena. You’re guaranteed to be entertained, informed, and motivated. And one thing will be clear: you don't need to know sports to know mercy. Know Mercy with Stephen A. Smith is a presentation of Cadence13, an Audacy studio.

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