What does it take for an Atlanta comedian to break out? Hustle, heart, and passion sound like a credible three. Shawty Shawty has shown he has all those qualities and more. He had the heart to go on stage his first time, the hustle to become a major star, after appearing in movies and TV, and the passion to continue on through his struggles and setbacks. Shawty sat with Parlé to discuss the Atlanta comedy scene, how he got to where he is, and where he plans to go.

Parlé: Do you feel as though you've gotten your big break yet, if so what was it?
Shawty: I think I’ve been blessed along my career. I’ve been in videos, commercials; I’ve been featured in films, on Wild N’ Out. God has blessed me to be in a steady pace, but I just need that perfect role in a movie, or in one or two more big movies.

Parlé: Is there any role in particular that you’re looking for??
Shawty: I just need that role to animate me, and to personify the funniest in me. It doesn’t have to be that big--kind of like Chris Rock in I’m Gonna Git You Sucka. That wasn’t a big role, but that role had a big impact. I just need that role that people would remember you for.

Parlé: That’s cool man. So what’s it like when you go out of town?
Shawty: Oh it’s all love in the other parts of the U.S., nothing but love. I’m a real high-energy comic; I have the crowd loving it. It’s beautiful man, from Miami to L.A to NY. My act is like a roller coaster. I went up against a cat from NY at the Apollo, but NY got so much love. The crowd in the Apollo was chanting my name. I have been well perceived in Detroit, St. Louis, the Comedy Store, in Los Angeles. I love to perform, the stage is my thing.

Parlé: But it wasn’t your dream goal as a child to be a comedian right?
Shawty: I mean I always liked to make people laugh. I always liked to entertain, since the 4th grade. I was a dancer. My mom told me God blessed everyone with a talent, but it’s up to you to pull it out. So I was praying from young, asking God to please pull it out of me!

Parlé: Did your accent hinder you at any time?
Shawty: Some people would be like, ‘You talk funny.’ But they’re from L.A., I talk different, I have a southern appeal in my voice. I learned to slow down and pace myself, and I've adapted very well. I did a weekend at Caroline’s, and that was one of the best weekends I ever did. To be at that comedy club in Manhattan, it was beautiful; we sold out the whole weekend.

Parlé: Where are you from exactly?
Shawty: I’m from Southwest Atlanta, also known as SWATS. I went to school with Cee Lo Green, Jim Crow is from there, Sean Paul, Outkast, and I grew up with Polow Da Don

Parlé: Do you think a person's location can alter their success as far as being a comedian, considering the amount of success comedians from Atlanta have seen?
Shawty: A lot of stuff is coming to Atlanta now, but ATL is a great stepping stone to where you got to go. Coming up I said, ‘I’m going to get in these rappers videos.’ We had BET’s Comic View, but when I got into it I was already doing comedy for six years. Regardless, Bruce Bruce, Sommore and others had their time, but it’s easy for others to get lost in the shuffle...I got kids too. I went to LA and stayed out there, just kept building, building up my fans, getting more performances. I’m a full time father, and my kids live with me, but to get that role I know is out there for me, I got to stay out there in L.A. You got to stay there; if I stayed I would get a whole lot more attention. People make movies in Atlanta but they cast them out in L.A. So you definitely got to be the man where you’re from before you leave.

Parlé: What differences have you seen between comics from the South and comics from other regions?
Shawty: I’m a comedy fan period, everyone got their own style. When someone say he ain’t funny, I don't really believe that. But there are differences between Atlanta comics and say, a New York comic.