MARTIN LAWRENCE TO HOST ‘LIT AF TOUR’ AT PHILIPS ARENA ON FRIDAY, APRIL 13
Atlanta (Feb. 12, 2018) – Comedian, actor, director and producer Martin Lawrence will return to the stage as the host of 2018's hottest comedy event: the LIT AF Tour, featuring an amazing lineup of comedic talent. Coming off the 20th anniversary of Def Comedy Jam, where he is known for his legendary hosting, Lawrence has made a triumphant return to the stand-up stage wowing audiences with his signature style of hilarious stories, social commentary and more. The LIT AF Tour stars Lawrence as your high-powered host who presents a fire lineup of comedians including DeRay Davis, JB Smoove, Rickey Smiley, Michael Blackson, Jay Pharoah, Deon Cole, Bruce Bruce, Adele Givens and Benji Brown.
Kicking off on March 31 in Atlantic City, the LIT AF Tour will make stops in at least 16 cities across the country this Spring including Atlanta’s Philips Arena on Friday, April 13. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 16. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets beginning Wednesday, February 14. The lineup and on sale date for each show can be found in the tour itinerary below.
Martin Lawrence started in stand-up comedy at the legendary The Improv, where he honed his talents until he was asked by Russell Simmons to host his groundbreaking comedy series Def Comedy Jam on HBO. From there, Lawrence became a household name after his hugely popular self-titled TV show, Martin, was an instant hit with TV viewers. He starred for five years as not only the title character, but other support characters like the sassy Sheneneh and Mama Payne, who became comedy classics. Lawrence would later go on to star in comedy blockbusters like Bad Boys 1&2 A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, which he also directed and Big Momma’s House, 1, 2 & 3 where he once again proved his talent for creating and acting as multiple characters in one storyline.
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About DeRay Davis:
A seasoned road warrior, DeRay Davis' Netflix original comedy special HOW TO ACT BLACK hit the internet with a bang in November, receiving rave reviews. He also appeared in HBO's ALL DEF COMEDY series which debuted end of 2017. The second season of VH1’s HIP HOP SQUARES, executive produced by Ice Cube and featuring DeRay as the hysterical host, is set to air in 2018, and simultaneously, DeRay will also star in SEASON 2 of the hit JOHN SINGLETON CREATED F/X TV show SNOWFALL. Recently, he also appeared on the big screen in ALL EYEZ ON ME and GROW HOUSE alongside Snoop Dogg.
About JB Smoove:
JB Smoove is a gifted writer, comedian and actor, who continues to entertain audiences all over the world with his unique brand of comedic funk. His breakout role on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as Leon has firmly planted him as one of the best comedic actors today. Smoove is remembered for starring in and narrating the cult classic “PootieTang” alongside Chris Rock. Since then, on the big screen he's appeared in "Mr. Deeds" opposite Adam Sandler, “Date Night” with Steve Carell and Tina Fey, the Farrelly Brothers comedy, “Hall Pass,” “The Sitter” with Jonah Hill, “The Dictator” opposite Sacha Baron Cohen, and Chris Rock’s movie, “Top Five.” Smoove is also known for a wealth of notable TV performances including CBS comedy “The Millers," “Saturday Night Live” sketches and recurring spots on “Late Night with Conan O’ Brien,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “The Real Husbands of Hollywood," host of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing," his Comedy Central one-hour stand-up special, “That's How I Dooz It," and Smoove is launching season three of his show “Four Courses with JB Smoove” on the MSG Network.
About Rickey Smiley:
Rickey Smiley is a celebrated comedian, television host and top-rated nationally-syndicated radio personality who has earned a reputation for making audiences laugh both on and off stage for 27 years. Smiley has recorded eight best-selling albums, including iTunes #1 comedy album, “Rickey Smiley: Prank Calls Number 6.” Smiley has also hosted BET’s “Open Casket Sharp” and “Comic View,” and has appeared on “Showtime At The Apollo,” “Uptown Comedy Club,” HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” and “Snaps". In addition to being featured on DISH NATION, his nationally syndicated morning radio show can be heard in over 65+ markets across the US. Smiley's major feature film roles in urban classics include "All About The Benjamin’s”, “Friday After Next,” and hit romantic comedy “Baggage Claim.” His acclaimed TV One docu-series "Rickey Smiley for Real", is headed into a sixth season, and he recently published his memoir, "Stand by Your Truth and Then Run for Your Life" through Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon $ Schuster.
About Michael Blackson:
He has been called one of the most original stand-up comics in the country, and his performances leave audiences laughing in tears. Michael Blackson, aka, ‘The African King of Comedy’, has been entertaining audiences all across the country and around the globe for more than a decade. Blackson’s comedic appeal grew from his involvement with BET’s ComicView series, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at Harlem, and Live in Hollywood. Along with his film and television endeavors, Blackson continues to entertain his fans as the headliner for live shows at comedy clubs, universities and special events, bringing his one-of-a kind, must-see stand-up performance to audiences all across the country and around the world.
About Jay Pharoah:
Jay Pharoah is an actor and stand-up comedian. With six seasons as a cast member of NBC's “Saturday Night Live,” Pharoah is best known for staring in Showtime's "White Famous" Produced by Jamie Foxx. His appearances on Jimmy Kimmel, Steve Harvey, Ellen, Conan, and many more have been shared on the internet hundreds of millions of times.
About Deon Cole:
Deon Cole is one of the most in-demand talents on the comedy scene. Not only is he currently a cast member on four TV shows, BLACKISH (ABC), GROWNISH (Freeform), ANGIE TRIBECA (TBS) and FACE VALUE (BET) you can also find his comedy specials on Comedy Central and Netflix's THE STANDUPS.
About Bruce Bruce:
Bruce Bruce is one of the nation's favorite standup comedians. Audiences know him not only as the host of BET's Comic View, his own one hour standup specials, his Countless appearances on HBO, Showtime and Comedy Central, but also from feature films "Top Five" and "Think Like a Man," and many others.
About Adele Givens:
Since the day Adele Givens was crowned winner of the Crown Royal Comedy competition in the city of Chicago, she realized she was destined to become comedic royalty. Since then, Adele has the rare ability to make you laugh, think, cry, and cringe all at the same time! Adele and her famous catch phrase “I am SUCH a f*&^($g lady!!” have gone viral. The “Queen of Comedy” also wowed audiences nationwide on the sold out “Queens of Comedy Tour”.
About Benji Brown:
Benji Brown has been heating up the national comedy scene through his candid and comedic performances. He has appeared on BET's Comic View, Laffapalooza hosted by Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx, and Nick Cannon's Wild n' Out on MTV, and has performed on 1st Amendment Stand Up presented by Martin Lawrence on STARZ and Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns Tour. Brown has worked alongside a list of headliners including Chris Rock, Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley and Monique.
About Philips Arena
Home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, Philips Arena hosts approximately 160 events and 1.6 million guests annually. With a capacity of more than 18,000 visitors, the venue, a 100% smoke-free campus, is consistently ranked among the top 10 concert and event venues in the world. Philips, the arena’s naming partner, is a diversified technology company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of healthcare, consumer lifestyle and lighting. For more information on Philips Arena, log on to www.philipsarena.com today or follow us on Twitter @PhilipsArena.
