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Todo Latino Show
Ep.141 Martin Amini: Building Connections Through Comedy and Culture
This episode of the Todo Latino Show features the hilarious Martin Amini, who shares his colorful journey from a childhood filled with lively house parties, diverse music, and delicious food, to making a name for himself in the comedy world. Hear how Martin's unique upbringing in a predominantly Latino and Black neighborhood on the East Coast influenced his comedic style and helped him connect with others through humor. The vibrant tales of roasting sessions at the bus stop will have you laughing and nodding along.
Martin opens up about the challenges of pursuing comedy with immigrant parents who initially prioritized stability over creative careers. Despite early skepticism, his family’s support blossomed as they recognized comedy as a positive outlet. The emotional reward of being able to give back to his parents brings a heartfelt dimension to Martin's story. We also touch on the impact of seeing relatable figures in comedy, like George Lopez and Dave Chappelle, and how their representation spurred Martin and others to aspire higher. This chapter paints a vivid picture of the importance of cultural and community influence in the comedy scene.
But Martin's story isn't just about laughs. He dives into the broader implications of his multicultural background, discussing the importance of authenticity, financial literacy, and mental health awareness within immigrant communities. Learn how Martin integrates relationship advice into his comedy shows, promoting healthy lifestyles and genuine connections. From overcoming generational cycles to fostering authentic relationships, Martin's unique approach to comedy is both inspiring and enlightening. Join us for an episode filled with laughter, heartfelt stories, and valuable insights, highlighting the power of representation and community in the world of comedy.
Yo, this is your boy, martin Amini, and you're now tuning in to the Todo Latino Show.
Speaker 2:All right, everybody. Welcome to 1500 Live at Pro Audio LA. This is the Todo Latino Show sponsored by Global Processing Systems, the official merchant of Revolución, and Todo Wafi. I am your host. Rafael Daisy's not with us today, but we do have Brie, and we have Yobi and our special guest just had his show I'm Transcending in February. He's currently on the Martin had a Dream Tour and is set to perform at Netflix. As a joke, welcome, comedian Martin Amini.
Speaker 1:Thank you for having me Welcome. Welcome, martin, feels good to be here.
Speaker 2:Awesome, bro, you got an interesting mix.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:All right your mother's. Bolivian, we're going right into it. Your mother's Bolivian, your dad's Iranian. Yeah, what was your house like growing up? Wow.
Speaker 1:There was a lot of seasoning, a lot of smells. The house parties were crazy, you know, we had it was like three birthday songs, so every birthday the songs would last a long time, but it was filled with a lot of culture, man, a lot of culture, a lot of love, a lot of passion, you know. So yeah, it was a very unique experience, but I feel like the older I get, the more normal it's becoming to come from a mixed background. It's not like as unique as it used to be.
Speaker 2:I used to be, like a unicorn. And then the more I travel and go on tour, a lot of cities have mixed cultures.
Speaker 1:Yeah, very much so. So I think that's you know, it's helped me become more relatable with people were you that kid?
Speaker 2:that was like sleeping on on a chair at like 3 am while the music was still going. Yeah, it was like in the basement.
Speaker 1:So on the east coast, all the kids, they sent all the kids to the basement to play like video games and we would do get into trouble and all the parents in the 90s were dancing upstairs, you know, blasting like on the east coast we love fulanito like project uno, like east coast vibes, you know and uh, it was really cool. We had a good time. You know, I I still 90s house parties were they're at a different level, different levels.
Speaker 2:I remember when I was in dr at 80s. Oh, man, they were going crazy yeah I mean, those parties were like open to the block, so you'd have like three or four houses that were all migrating into one house for one giant party. Very cool. Which culture was more visible in the household?
Speaker 1:I think because my mom was more around, she was more active in my life my mom's, I would say but it was always a hybrid. It was a real american minority experience, because my neighborhood was predominantly latino and black. Yeah, um, and you know, hip-hop was a big part of our culture growing up on the east coast and so I remember I was 10 years old, we had the fujis album. My older brother brought the fujis uh, the score album and bone thugs and harmony and so as a young age, like you know, Bone Thugs.
Speaker 1:Wow, hip hop was a big part of the culture growing up and then, obviously, like you have, like the four, we used to call them fobs, like fresh off the boat, parents, you know, and so like that's a good term for it fresh off the boats, fresh off the boat, you know fobs, you know, super Iranian father, super Bolivian mom, and then mixed with like black culture.
Speaker 1:So it was like a big melt. It was like a hybrid A lot of confusion, a lot of identity crisis. But as you grow older you start to learn like what's your identity and I think, yeah, that's a big part of like my. You know me on stage is like finding who I am and being comfortable with who I am.
Speaker 1:And I think people will connect with that. What was the food? Like you know my mom, she could throw down, so she was able to cook everything Like not even it wasn't limited to Bolivian or Iranian food. She could do, like Asian food, italian food yeah, she's old school.
Speaker 3:You're a happy kid. These are two cultures that are rich in culture.
Speaker 2:We're talking about, like iranian and and believing these are two like both from a food standpoint, party standpoint they're throwing down I mean are you? A salteña guy I love salteñas.
Speaker 1:I grew up on, you know, silpancho salteñas. And then you know the persian food's crazy too, like people underestimate persian food.
Speaker 3:Uh, I actually we just took my brother-in-law for his birthday.
Speaker 1:Birthday yesterday with persian spot out here and it was their first time having persian food. Yeah, uh, you know the kebabs, the kubideh that you know the, just the they. It's just so much like flavor. I just come from a flavor like flavorful back. Yeah I can imagine a lot of a lot of, you know, spices, that's insane.
Speaker 1:So what, what inspired you to kind of go into comedy well, I think, um, you know, growing up, I think like, uh, thinking back to my childhood, like I remember as a kid, like the bus stop was, like we used to roast each other a lot, a lot of jokes would fly back and forth and I think comedy was a way of like, um, forgetting about, like our problems. You know, just like you know, we didn't really think about you.
Speaker 4:Know what was you?
Speaker 1:know we didn't really think about, you know, what was going on inside the house. Like when you're outside the house, we tried our best to, you know, stay positive and laugh, and I think, uh, those were the early days of like being funny, you know, just making everyone around me feel good and positive and not being worried about what's going on were you?
Speaker 2:were you the like?
Speaker 1:the class clown I was definitely the class clown.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, because I know some comedians who are like nah, that wasn't my thing.
Speaker 1:Like to yeah, I was a big troublemaker uh in school, but I was very good inside the house. Like my parents were shocked when the teachers told them I was bad. Like my parents, like really him they're like, maybe our older like I was always very calm and quiet at the house, but in school I was crazy and so, yeah, I think a lot of the stuff I used to do in school I kind of do it on stage still.
Speaker 1:You know a lot of just, you know, a lot of my style comes from how I used to be as a kid and I think people just really identify that. I think a lot of the stuff I do on stage is kind of like the way we used to act, Like people used to come like after my show. People come up to me like man, I just feel like you know we're we're outside on the porch listening to you.
Speaker 2:You know talk.
Speaker 3:Oh, that's really cool and then when someone said this to me, I was like wow, like that's a really cool feeling to have you know where we're all, just outside, on the porch it's like family yeah
Speaker 1:yeah, you know we try to, and I try to bring everyone in and make it very comfortable for everyone and just, you know, let loose and just have a good time. You know, like the 90 vibes.
Speaker 2:Coming from immigrant parents. Man, like what was the notice? Like what did you get when you told them hey, I want to pursue comedy.
Speaker 1:You know, they were really cool man. They were actually for. You know most immigrant parents. They don't want their kids to do, you know, comedy for a living. They want more stability.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Especially after all the sacrifice from coming from another country to make it. But I was also getting in trouble a lot. So when I told them I wanted to do comedy, it was much better than the alternatives that I was already doing, which was, you know, I don't want to get, I figured comedy was like a way to kind of get you in the right direction Determined. It's not illegal. I'm not breaking any laws. I'm not facing jail time yeah.
Speaker 2:And so this was a more positive. I mean, you're a comedian. You could always be facing jail time in a video. That's true.
Speaker 1:No, but this is way more wholesome than stuff I used to. So they were very, you know, do it and they always believed in me. I was even like. Even though I got in trouble a lot as a young kid and I wasn't the best student, they always knew I had something. I was very like. I was always very. Whatever I wanted to do as a young kid, I did it, and they have a lot of belief in me. Out of all the kids in the family, they always believed in me the most. So I'm just glad that after 12 years of doing comedy, I can finally take care of them. So now I take care of my mom's bills, I pay everything. I take care of her. We're in the process of buying our first property and I want to move my mom in, and you know just yeah, take care of that.
Speaker 2:Very cool. I saw in the comedy special where you were talking about that, that that moment where you got to the point where you were just like oh, wow, Like I can actually.
Speaker 1:It's a beautiful feeling being able to take care of your parents and telling them to take it easy, and this is the best our relationship's ever been.
Speaker 3:Wow.
Speaker 1:I talk to my dad now. I used to never talk to my dad Only because there's a lot of tension because of my job and not feeling secure. But now that I'm making a lot of money, I love talking to him.
Speaker 2:I love talking to him. Remember those times when we talked now. But now. Now we could be friends yeah, and he doesn't have to worry about me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think that for every for every parent every parents, specifically immigrant parents, because they come from like, not knowing what's going to happen. They want to know, make sure their kids are okay and now that they see, not only am I okay, I'm thriving, I love. I love talking to them and hearing them, you know, say, you know nice things about me with.
Speaker 3:That being said, what are the comedians that kind of inspire you like?
Speaker 1:you know who you look up to, you know it's tough because I think, uh, I'm trying to think like when I was younger. I remember, uh, there wasn't a lot of examples, like I remember.
Speaker 2:George Lopez Okay, he was that one Latin Kings of comedy, and he was so cool, like his, his style.
Speaker 1:But again, just to remind the listeners, like I'm from the East coast, yeah, and so we don't have a lot of uh like where I grew up it's mostly Central Americans. Even though I'm Bolivian I grew up and so, um, it was cool to see, but then it still wasn't like I, because they were on the west coast.
Speaker 1:You had like, I think, yeah, I think, dave chappelle was like when I saw his special killing me softly in 2001 I think I was like in high school and I was like uh, I was thinking that's a good special yeah, and I remember he was used to be like. He used to be like what up son and I was like I was thinking that's a good special. Yeah, and I remember he was used to be like. He used to be like what up son and I'm like hey, like he talks just like us.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and.
Speaker 1:I remember thinking like wow, like that's cool, like to see someone talk like you on TV, and so I started more identifying with. Yeah, I just realized that we didn't have a lot of examples on the east side from it, like all the comedians were all from the. I'm trying to explain and that's what I'm saying. That's why I do so good in la because, or everywhere, because they don't have that. Still there's not a lot of east coast like latinos and that's why, when I'm on the east.
Speaker 2:It just hit me like when I'm sitting there looking at even back then, when I'm looking at the comedians, they were all we had john leguizamo.
Speaker 1:He had, um, yeah, the cra, uh, what was his?
Speaker 2:one-man show. I figured he's more of an actor to me than he is, but if you see his one-man show on HBO, by Spike Lee.
Speaker 1:I remember seeing that in high school too. That was another like oh my God moment.
Speaker 3:Okay, that's an impressionable moment Because you were seeing someone.
Speaker 1:Even though it's not stand-up, you're seeing a performance. But again, it's more about his vernacular, the words he's using, his fashion dance, the way he was dancing. He's telling his story about his, his family and then, as a young, you know kid, like you're watching that, you're like wow, like this dude is like that's, he reminds me of someone in my neighborhood. Yeah, now, that's something, like it's a very special. And again, I think that's why I'm having an impact right now in the culture of the community, because people are like wow, like this do reminds me of someone from my neighborhood, without even being from.
Speaker 2:They can relate from a life.
Speaker 1:So, you're creating your own blueprint. That's what I'm saying. So I take a little bit from the old generation. But I think the key is to be yourself. For any artist, whether it's comedy, film, artwork just be yourself. And I think when you're being yourself, you're authentic and you work hard, the real audience will come to you Exactly. You know, Because if you try to force it and you might get some success, but it's not sustainable Because you're not being yourself, Otherwise it's like being in prison. You've got to fake this character.
Speaker 1:And I think like when you have to fake being this character it's the worst feeling, man.
Speaker 2:Do you remember what your first genuine show was, because I know that a lot of people like your first time that you got on stage in front of all these people. Do you remember which show that was?
Speaker 1:I mean it was, yeah, we had to do open mics, so open mics is a big part of stand-up comedy. It's not a glamorous thing If people listening are trying to understand what an open mic is.
Speaker 2:It's a very picture, a very sad, depressed environment with uh mostly comedians watching it's very dark, very very gloomy so you're like it's your own peers that are the audience. It's mostly, and then maybe if you're lucky, five, ten real people yeah, yeah luck if you're lucky.
Speaker 1:and usually when you're starting and I'm talking first month, first year you usually go at the end of the open mic. You're not even in the good part of the open, you're at the end. All the real people usually leave.
Speaker 3:Exactly.
Speaker 1:And so, yeah, it's a very it's a torturing experience, but it's what prepares, it, gives you the thick skin to have a longevity career.
Speaker 2:Do you remember if you did like? Did you do well that night, or did you burn it?
Speaker 1:I think my first time I did really good it was, you know, I don't know if it was God or what was going on, but it was one of those moments where I remember even making fun of some of the audience, just as a natural instinct to do that, and I felt so good, like after the and.
Speaker 1:And I remember for the next six months I did terrible, but it was the first time I went that gave me the confidence like, oh, this is that feeling. I was like this is the feeling I want forever and it was enough to keep me going. And 12 years later is now. It took, I think, 12 years to find success. Finally.
Speaker 4:Now, what specific parts of your cultural background do you feel inspires your material?
Speaker 1:the most when you're on stage. I like to draw from both sides, but I honestly just I. It's not so much the culture, I think, again, it's just being yourself and just more it's, I think, American side. I think because, you know, I think a lot of people with immigrant parents come to my show, but most of the people who come have an American experience with immigrant parents, which is very different from because I have other comedian friends who grew up in Venezuela, who moved here and they do shows in.
Speaker 1:Spanish which is so cool to see because I'll take my mom to their shows and my mom will watch them. Sometimes I'll see her laughing more at their shows than my shows.
Speaker 2:I'm like, but it's like. But you understand it though they're pioneering those races.
Speaker 1:I'm like, wow, it feels like the way they perform and it's so like and I want that for my mom to experience. But me, I grew up. I listen to DMX growing up Juvenile. Everything about my experience is my experience.
Speaker 2:You're getting throwbacks, man.
Speaker 1:We just had the nostalgic Latino.
Speaker 2:You're going back and forth, but it's like being Latino.
Speaker 1:It's a Latino American experience. So, it's like, and that's you guys asked me, and so I'm just telling you again all I do is just try to be myself and never try to be like yes, my mom is from bolivia, my dad is iranian, but I grew up around central americans and central again and sometimes when I do interviews, people ask me like bro, like it's? We're so diverse, like I?
Speaker 1:try to explain that to, with respect to the west coast homies like who are. I know mexican culture is the dominant culture, but a lot of times they'd like to put us all in the same box I feel like like LA is definitely like that and it's like yo, and I try to say this with the utmost respect no, but there's a distinction.
Speaker 3:We're very different.
Speaker 2:The reason that we tried to promote at Toda Wafi is the fact of that diversity, because I feel like when you're on the East Coast, there's a lot, at least to me, my experience being in Miami and New York. Oh bro, oh bro, we have so much.
Speaker 1:I just know when I'm in Jersey, I know what the vibe is going to be when I'm in New York.
Speaker 3:I know what the vibe is when I'm in.
Speaker 1:Boston, I know the vibe. And it comes with touring, it comes with you know, growing up on different music, because knowing where artists came from, like certain artists are from, and stuff like that, and even within New York, like the BX, you know Brooklyn or whatever you the BX, you know Brooklyn or whatever you know uptown. So just knowing, like having respect for different cultures.
Speaker 4:And then the West.
Speaker 1:Coast culture is different and then the Bay culture is different. So it's like, yeah, it's cool to like, have like to be different, but also be respectful of everything.
Speaker 3:And that's important that you highlight, because it's a Central American sentiment versus a South American in Mexico, oh bro, and there's so much racism too within the cultures and like the old school generation, obviously, but it's like, um, I like talking about it because it's like we're the new generation.
Speaker 1:But we all came up in that environment where it's like oh, where they're? They're from bolivia or they're from el saudo and there comes with their own stigma and so yeah, that's why when I, when I talk, is I just I'm just honest about my upbringing and like what our parents were like, and you know we all have that in common. You know what I mean. There's a lot of stigma and prejudice within our own community.
Speaker 1:And so I try to like put out the you know the good vibes of like making fun of it and like yo, like you know, we're the new generation. Like sometimes like I'm talking to people younger than me the young times, like the I'm talking to people younger than me the young kids who come when they're early 20s, they don't even know what it was like like.
Speaker 3:So I'm just like bro, like things just got good, like recently yeah, it's very recent, because there's some young artists there's some young comics who don't even identify with the latino stuff they're like.
Speaker 1:Now I'm just like, american it's like, and I respect that too. But there's a lot of like my generation and older than me.
Speaker 1:We have to go through a lot to get to where we're all just I feel that breathing we're regular, you know and it's like um, so it's like, you know, again, it's not about who's better, who's worse, it's just about different generations, different cultures. But it's dope though. I love my job because I get to have like platforms like this where I can kind of like articulate, because sometimes people see like a 90-second clip of me and they don't understand like what's happening.
Speaker 2:There's no context behind it.
Speaker 1:There's no context.
Speaker 1:It's just that one segment, yeah, even like my own, like you know, whether it's like I don't think my agent or manager understands what I'm doing. I don because they're like, well, he's selling tickets, Like let's just you know, and it's like bro, like nah, bro, there's a lot of like history that goes into this and there's like I've been in a lot of different like. For me to like go to all the cities that I go to and sell the numbers I'm doing is because I'm tapping into something that just hasn't been touched yet.
Speaker 3:Trick or nerve, yeah, like when you decided like, okay, this is what I'm going to do. When, when do you really got that moment, you know?
Speaker 1:Well, I've always. You know, I'm a very uh. When I say I'm going to do something, it's like I don't know if it's my ego or like something, but I don't want to fail Okay. You made yourself a challenge there, yeah, and I, you know there was, just wasn't. There was no one like me, you know, and so it was. I was trying to do something that was never done before, and I still think, like people still don't get it coming from washington dc like and selling our shows in la like.
Speaker 1:That's where there's no mexicans. Where I'm from, I'm not me, I'm not even, I'm not even mexican. But my audience is mostly like. Mexicans support me the most and I think the cool thing about mexican culture is like they support authenticity if they feel you, oh yeah, they're gonna gravitate to you, yeah and so it's like that's and I, how can I be mad at that's?
Speaker 1:like that's dope? And so that's why, and one of the things I love to do is learn about other cultures, ask questions, and then that's when I make fun of stuff is after you learn about cultures and the differences. And so, yeah, bro, like yeah, I think I went hard from the day one. I just never stopped, it just took a long time. 12 years is it's a long time.
Speaker 3:But that's what they say about comedians is like you have a training process and it's like literally right after your 10 years or your tenure, when you're there, that you kind of start ripping and seeing a new generation of comics that are blowing up on social media a little bit early, which salute to the new generation.
Speaker 1:Um, you know, some people get mad at them, but it's like I'm just happy that, if you can find success in this business and you're not hurting anybody and you're not stealing any jokes much like, I support you and and salute you know. Um, yeah, my my journey was different and unique and, uh, yeah, I feel like I had to carve out my own space, my own space as a as a latino that's not mexican and uh, and that's also middle eastern, and but also from a market like deep washington dc.
Speaker 4:Yeah, so I like how you mentioned the 90 second clips, because as I'm scrolling on, tick tock, if I hear jajajajajaj, I immediately know it's you yeah so how did that, how did that tagline come about?
Speaker 1:I remember just like uh, it came naturally, like when I think I was doing some crowd work and I think I was in denver and it was just my way of making white people feel safe.
Speaker 4:Like these are just jokes.
Speaker 1:Like, like, relax.
Speaker 4:Like you know.
Speaker 1:I always try to articulate to the people who are outside the culture that this is how we uh become friends, like our parents roasted us. We come from a old like old, old generation.
Speaker 1:They would go hard on us and then like, and then like, and then me and my friends, we went like if you were to record some of the things me and my friends said in middle school and high school, like in the basement or something like at the, you know, outside on the stoop, it's like crazy stuff, but then it's like that's, that was our, that's our dynamic and I brought that energy to the stage.
Speaker 1:So if you see it out of context, just a clip of me like make like going hard on somebody, like man, this guy's mean, but this, no, I think is just the. This is I always try to explain this how we become friends. We roast each other and, if you can, and you let your guard down and let me steer the ship. We're going to have a great time for an hour.
Speaker 2:I noticed that the same thing because I actually looked at your clips, yeah, and then it wasn't until I saw the comedy special.
Speaker 3:I'm Transcending how I explained it, that it made, that it actually went fluid so I was like I was looking at the clip.
Speaker 2:I'm like man he's really going the actual comedy special itself. Like you actually let people know, like you warned them hey, this is this is about to go. Yeah, and also um, because you said you have people that actually dm you to to roast them. Yeah, it becomes it became.
Speaker 1:Before I was doing the matchmaking stuff, I was doing the crowd work stuff, um and making fun of the audience, and then I think what happened was a lot of comedians caught on to that and started now doing it also, and so I remember, a big part of stand-up is like you want to be original, you want to be different, and uh, I don't want to put out my jokes because the jokes take a long time to develop and that's another frustrating thing that's happening right now in real time, like as a comedian, is very difficult because we got to put out content every single day to sell tickets.
Speaker 1:But these, these jokes take, like sometimes years to to to really to really at least when I was coming up. And so, um, yeah, like how can I put out these jokes, you know, after it takes so long to come out, and unless it's a comedy special.
Speaker 1:But, um, because of social media, every comic now is putting out everything yeah, because they want to you know it's between if it's between, you know, living on your mom's couch or or having a career, comics have to decide. You know what they want to do, and so for me, the happy medium is um, I'll put out the, the matchmaking stuff, you know, and the crowd work stuff until uh, but when you come to my show, it's a different it's a different completely. Yeah it's a, it's a show.
Speaker 1:It's not like that 90 second clip exactly that that 90 second clip is literally at the end of the show after you see the whole act, and so I just take the little bonus moments and put them out and so far it's been working out and you know we're now selling out well, you definitely put in the the intriguing curiosity.
Speaker 1:You know the experience, yeah, but what happens is sometimes people critique too, like outside you know if you're not in the community or you're even inside the comedy world. There's a lot of like stigma now, like oh, he just does this or he just does that it's like well you don't you never been in my show, like you don't know? Like you know how many years I've been doing this and how many specials I have on youtube, and you didn't? You didn't? You don't know, like you know, how many years I've?
Speaker 1:been doing this and how many specials I have on YouTube and you didn't, you didn't watch, you don't, you don't see the whole story. I tell it. You know it feels a little bit sometimes like, but you know you can't please everybody. So it's just the way, the nature of the business.
Speaker 2:I want to talk about that one, the, the I'm transcending because you, you know, you're actually originally from. Uh, what is it spring?
Speaker 1:silver springs, maryland. Um, how cool was it to have a show that close to home? Oh man, it was. It was very special, man, I think. Um, my city needed it, bro, like, uh, the community needed it they need to see something positive. Uh, we don't have. You know, our sports teams are bad and it sounds it's, I know it sounds funny, is that I? I know?
Speaker 3:it's a joke but, like you don't know, we make fun of our editor-in-chief.
Speaker 2:She's in Maryland Constantly raking on her, and it's because like you don't understand, sometimes, like until it's completely gone.
Speaker 1:Like morale is a real thing, bro. Having self-esteem, having like a being proud Like y'all have. Like the Dodgers, y'all have the Lakers self-esteem. Having like being proud Like y'all have. Like the Dodgers, y'all have the Lakers, y'all have like winners Like you have a history of winners. If you're from a city that doesn't have a championship for 30, 40 years, you're going to start selling drugs. You're going to start committing crime.
Speaker 4:No, I'm serious Selling taking.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know what I'm saying Like, like, everything around me is failures, like even in some of our community, like where I grew up, bro, it was just so negative, it's tough yeah like it's tough. People don't even consider college as a real like if you. I remember as a young kid like if I ever, if my friends in like elementary school or middle school saw me doing homework, they'd be like man, you acting white right now, bro, and it's like how is this like?
Speaker 1:it was. It's just like. It's so like, and I some, I have these flashback moments and I'm like man, you know what like they need to see something positive, you know, like taking whatever that energy from the childhood and turning it into something like the lincoln theater sold out show, you know yeah and so, uh, and even what I'm doing now, I'm just trying to like yeah, man, just put out good energy, because um yeah, certain areas need it more than we need it.
Speaker 4:Yeah, we need it you. You mentioned community and being. You're half Bolivian, half Iranian. Oh, you've mentioned that Bolivians are so hungry for representation sure and you're in that position to represent them, and what impact do you hope to make on that?
Speaker 1:well, one thing is just again, just being authentic, not forcing anything. I remember in the beginning I was riding, I, I was pushing the Bolivian narrative because it's so unique being Bolivian and it's such a small country that people don't know about. But now that I got to a point where I'm starting to go international, like I'm selling out, like Canada and we're going to Europe this year also and Australia next year, I feel like I transcended the Bolivian side. And just now, and even being from DC and just being a human, Just mainstream now.
Speaker 1:I think there's enough content out there where you can dig and get to know who I am my background but now it's more about. This is something new I'm working on. It's not fully, I'm working on it for the next developing. One of my pet peeves is people. This isn't something new I'm working on it's not fully. I'm working on it for the next Developing, developing but I'm very.
Speaker 1:One of my pet peeves is people romanticizing struggle romanticizing the hood and like it's like I think I have a responsibility now that I'm quote unquote successful, or you know, I'm in a different tax bracket to be like you know it's. We all want to quote, unquote, get money or hashtag like grind or whatever, and get to this point, but it comes with a different set of problems, like um, for example, like uh, financial literacy right, like that was never taught to me. No one taught me about accounting or taxes, oh, my goodness. And I would love to use my platform to be like yo, like you know, talk about, like how, how difficult it is to to navigate that navigate, lawyers navigate being a responsible parent.
Speaker 1:You know, like one of my new jokes I'm working about is like I want to do something different to my immigrant parents. I want to plan to have kids and something that, like you know that they you know immigrant parents they don't really plan things out, they just kind of like have kids and see what happens and so these are all just new subject matter that I'm trying to.
Speaker 1:When you say like examples, I've had no one's done this. I haven't seen anyone. As far as like, take, like share, uh, I think what happens is a lot of artists like they, they stay talking about like where they're from, which is good, but then I want to talk about like all the generational breaking cycles yeah, like the next thing, but make it more.
Speaker 1:Not so like I'm bragging, but more so like consciousness, conscious being in the moment, and, yeah, this is the new and I think, um, I'm hoping, but make it more, not so like I'm bragging, but more so like Consciousness, consciousness being in the moment and being like yo. This is the new and I think I'm hoping that it resonates with, because I think Latino buying power is expanding in the country.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, we're growing and we're a lot more college educated than people think, and so, yeah, I'm trying to put out those vibes now. It's like, oh bro, like there's something else on the other side. But, when you get to the other side. It's a whole other. It's a lot of work too. It's not like.
Speaker 3:And they're kind of taking off those, you know, mythologies or taboos that we have when we manage our money or our finances, how we carry ourselves in the community to you know to do better better.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's, it's a. This is a different, different battles, you know, than what we were. One then what our parents were facing exactly yeah, because I think like for us, a lot of stuff now is mental health. Uh, which? Is now, you know getting more talked about, you know a lot more awareness for that now.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for sure. Yeah, so so we were talking about the numbers. Um, when we talk about successes, like it's kind of cool because you're looking at the pattern of a lot of comedians. The spike has gone up to like 20, 20.7 percent, which is like right at the yeah, you know, at the at the population level of what we represent. The one thing I always had a question for like comedians is we've spoken to it. We've spoken to, like, you know, fluffy, and some of these people are transcending in a certain way. You're starting to do the same thing. Are you still finding it difficult when it comes to, like, the pay difference in that area, or like even just the access to get on like the bigger stages? Like, do you feel like it took longer for you than it did for some of your you know, counter?
Speaker 1:Yes and no. I think earlier in my career I thought a lot of the quote-unquote gatekeepers didn't necessarily look at me the same way they looked at other people. But I think it's only because I think now that I'm on the other side I think it's more of a reflection is they don't identify with my story. So it's not so much quote-unquote sometimes we're quick to say racism but it's more so yeah, not even tapping on that end.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's more so I just don't think they identify with. Like you kind of want to root for the person you identify with. Yeah, so like, if you're in a position of power, you're like I'd rather go with Susan or David than than martin, I mean, like you know, I mean it's just more so I understand his story more, so I want to get behind this person. You want to kind of see what you know, whereas, like, the more we grow as a community and we have different, like now I own a comedy club. Yeah, so now I, you know, I'm in a position where I have a team and and then you're controlling the narrative.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I control the narrative we're the first minority-owned comedy club in washington, the DC area.
Speaker 4:Maybe I don't know.
Speaker 1:That's awesome and all the we have so many. It's like so many. Latinos coming to my comedy club because a lot of it's from my fan base but a lot of it's because of the comics I book and it's becoming like we went from not having I was the only Latino comic in DC, like when I was coming up at open mics, and now it's I'm one of the biggest names in the country now.
Speaker 3:So, uh, you have to lead by example and yeah, is that what you accomplished with room 808 and achievers comedy show yeah, yeah, just, you know you have to create your own platform exactly and, and you know that's why.
Speaker 1:You know I will never be mad at the new generation, but they have to sometimes. I hope they do their research and see, like bro, like and even Ida. I have a lot of respect for Ida Rodriguez because my first year I was, you know, 24 and I drove two and a half hours to Richmond, virginia, for a five minute guest spot on her show, because I wasn't getting those opportunities in Washington DC, oh wow.
Speaker 2:So I had to drive to her show to get an opportunity for a stage time and um did her team approach you, or was that something that you had to like?
Speaker 1:I pursued, I pursued I pursued because there was no and people don't know. Those are like the early day store, you know, driving two and a half hours for five minutes being on the road, and and it's because someone like ida is in a position to give another young person an opportunity yeah you know, and so I love to share that story because it's just a part of like you know there was. There's not a lot of us now, there's way more, but at least now I can share the story and give either her flowers yeah of like, oh she played her.
Speaker 1:I'm getting emotional because I, like she had an impact on me. Yeah, you know she's. She's a real one too. So it's tough, bro, it's not? You know, I don't want to use this platform to be like that's what I'm saying, like I don't want to romanticize, like struggle, I want to no, I think, and yeah, I want to talk about but it's part of your reality too.
Speaker 2:I think a lot of people understand that when people start going into the story you know, especially in our era man, where we had to sit there and climb the mountain I think they know that it's going to come with some type of like a struggle story but now there's so many like outlets and like social media.
Speaker 1:Now that's why, like I'm thriving, because bro like to go from needing gate like gatekeepers to embrace you, like I had to change the way I talk, the way I dress oh yeah, that's like that was a huge part of my speak about that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think a lot of people struggle with the fact that that's something that you generally have to work on in order to turn around and be able to get into that but see that that whole narrative, like if you were to tell someone in like who's 21 years old that story, they'd be like what?
Speaker 1:like yeah, sometimes I take like these young guys, like young latinos, on the on the road to open for me, bro, they're in the green room smoking weed like, rolling weed up like they're doing, they're putting their feet up.
Speaker 1:I'm like and I I don't want to come off like the old guy or like I swear to god, I come up, I come up like I always give off dad energy because I'm like, and I'm getting emotional because, like you don't even know my like dog I drove two and a half hours for five minutes to open for ida bro, and here I am paying for your flight, paying for your hotel, paying for your food, yeah, and you come in here and you're rolling weed up in texas where it's like a conservative area, and we're still not like all the way inside the door and you're a reflection of me, my name, yeah my, and this is how you act and I'm getting upset just thinking about it and these are like the new generation bro, like bro, they're fucking crazy, they're crazy because they don't know their privilege.
Speaker 3:They don't know their privilege.
Speaker 1:And it's like, bro, like, just think about the older heads that came and paved the way, bro, and don't take it for granted. Don't think, because all my clips are crowd work, that it wasn't hard work behind it, and that's why I'm very emotional and frustrated right now and I feel like I'm venting a little bit too much, because I see itis, because I'm looking at, I'm looking at itis face and I'm looking at her smile and I'm looking at and I know how much she's been through.
Speaker 1:And I know what I've been through, because it's probably not, it's not near half of what she went through, but it's like bro, like have some Everybody's got, everybody's got their story, man, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:But I think it's also important to recognize that I'm I'm I'm glad you said that because I'm in the position where I have mentors and I'm recognizing them and paving the way for me, and I think it's so important to appreciate that and have that.
Speaker 1:just not be careless or not appreciate that. Yeah, it's like, you know you want people to have fun and whatever, but it's like, bro, it's this art, this artistic lifestyle, it's also a job.
Speaker 4:Yeah, it's a. This art, this artistic lifestyle, it's a.
Speaker 1:It's also a job, you know, and I'm trying to, like you know, make people understand like anything is possible, but hard work hard work, business ethics, you know I don't know, understand, like that's. That's one of the things with the internet. Age is like bro, like I'm able to thrive, but it's also because I bring that work at the that I learned early on and apply it to this. And I'm hoping that the new generation can learn some. You know, I don't know, man, I don't know. Things are a little bit weird right now.
Speaker 2:You're not alone, martin, you're not alone, you're trying to figure it out, you don't have your hand on the ground.
Speaker 1:It's just so weird, too's just because, like, because they don't even like care, like because, like I remember when I was a kid, like when, if an older person walked in the room, you had to stand up. Bro, you have to be like this and, like you know, always stand up and like show respect like that's just my and if we didn't stand up, if an old person walked in, they would, we would get hit. Yeah, like they would hit us, like my mom or dad would hit me. Like what are you doing?
Speaker 1:Like, stand up, give them a kiss, put your respect, put your respect, salude, and it's like bro, like this whole the concept of getting hit now or even any of this stuff is like, and so you know there's a lot of positives of the new generation but I just feel like there's some stuff that's like, because even like me like the way I am, the way you see me on stage, like that's me being myself.
Speaker 1:But if I do that behind the like, in the green room, with the comics, or I make because sometimes like, and this isn't healthy I'm not saying this is right. But if I make fun of someone or if I make, like, let's say, a friend has a weight problem, yeah, and him eating too much, why you look at me when you say that, and if I want to, you know.
Speaker 1:Or if I try to tell someone like, hey, man, maybe you should like, um, you know, take it easy on the, on the snacks, or whatever yeah and it's not coming from a place of like malice, malice or um, it's because you've seen people I'm at an age where I've already seen people die like like early on, like not in their 30s or whatever, and it's like like you have to form good habits. That's another thing I should probably talk about. More is like diet, like eating clean food, you know, I think that's a major problem right now in America is like not having access to good food or non-chemicals.
Speaker 1:Food, desserts, deserts, desert, yeah, just stuff like that and just like just forming good habits, right and so. But these, they can't hear it. You know they don't want to. They get, they, get they get offended, they get offended.
Speaker 2:It's almost like you dug them in with. Are you putting me down?
Speaker 1:Let me live. And it's like bro, like that's not, it's. It's like I'm like all right man, I don't want to be the dad, no more, I'm just. But at the same time it's like I don't want to be around unhealthy people either. Exactly yeah it's like if you're unhealthy, bro, it's not a good vibe for me if you're eating like great, like a, like, a terrible, like I'm trying to take care, I'm not gonna take you out to get to this group and then I'm down bro no, my, and he's like yeah, I'm good but I'll work, but see like I'll at least try to work out, or yeah, or you know drink water, or do you know?
Speaker 1:live right, like you know, and I'm just trying to get me to drink water.
Speaker 1:I'm gonna have to start yes, it's not, and these are like simple things, because when you start to see people around you get sick or die, then you get really like. So you're just trying to like see, you know, make make a difference and do it in a healthy way yeah sometimes I think, roasting isn't the best way to do it, but that was when we were younger. That's how we that was. That's how nice, bro, people be taking this stuff. So personally I'm like you know what, man, I can't even talk to you guys.
Speaker 3:Well, they say that have thick skin. You know, that's what they were saying.
Speaker 1:So I don't know. I'm trying to figure out. What's the balance? The balance, the balance, right.
Speaker 4:Now you say you're helping people form good habits and everything like that. But you're You're also a matchmaker. We got to talk about that. The people want to know when is your next, when is your dating show? No more dating apps. You go to the.
Speaker 1:It's been an organic thing that's happened. A lot of it has been inspired by. You know my wife is here and you know I've always had, like you know, beautiful women come to my shows. Ever since I started comedy. A lot of women come to my shows and I was doing the crowd work and I want to promote healthy relationships, man.
Speaker 1:Exactly I want to promote you know, I think and I don't blame anyone who comes to the shows, I think a lot of times and I talk about this on stage in the special we didn't have role models. My parents, you know, they divorced when I was 11. It was, it was a mine younger, you know, yeah, but it was, it was just. You know, a lot of times, you know, and uh, they were abusive. A lot of my friends grew up watching abusive relationships and we were forced to kind of learn how to be, uh, men like on our own as far as communication, emotion, having emotional intelligence, uh, having even like the music I listen to, spiritual development, yeah, even the music I listened to growing up Rap like 90s rap bro Talked about everything was cheating, this, bitches, that, and it's like, okay, it's cool to listen to.
Speaker 1:But then when you start to apply it to your psyche and all your friends, it's called groupthink, right, when you're in a group of guys and you all kind of just share misinformation. And now all of a sudden so at least I'm trying to be the example, you know put out the good vibes and yeah, when people come to my show I try to help them out and hook them up and I try to vet all the fuck boys and fuck girls and it's been going good.
Speaker 2:I'm trying to find the there it's possible you know, have they not approached you yet to try to do like some type of TV show for this?
Speaker 1:no, not yet. But you know, honestly, I post everything. They got a million of them.
Speaker 2:Even on Netflix they got Love is Blind. I watch them with my wife.
Speaker 1:I watch them with my wife. No, we enjoy watching it, it's fun content. But yeah, I think that's what makes mine unique, mine unique. It's kind of got like a Sabado Gigante vibe.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 4:Or those 12 Corazones.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 3:That one, it really does. Do you have a?
Speaker 2:success rate. Have people reached out to you and say, hey, I met at your show and we now I think we have to see six months longer. It's still pretty new.
Speaker 1:It's still pretty new. Yeah, we'll see. I I want to, like I said I'm more focused on helping people and being authentic than trying to monetize it, because if you try to like, brand it too much, like, let it, let it be natural, and then, uh, we'll see what happens, because I I still, you know, now it's getting crazy, like how big the shows are. We're doing theaters in the fall, yeah, and so when I do the theaters. It's going to be.
Speaker 3:You're going to see like how big the shows are.
Speaker 1:We're doing theaters in the fall, yeah, and so when I do the theaters, it's going to be you're going to see, like, how big is getting like, and then when we film it the way that we want to film it, everything's on youtube right now, um, but the goal is to just promote, you know, good vibes and helping people I like the fact that you give a leg up to men in that space, because you know dating has been very difficult and you can only be in an app for so long, right, and the first step is that at least they stepped out.
Speaker 3:They went out and then you're like, hey, come, I'll help you out. Yeah, and I'm not, you know, taking anything from the women, because everybody's just trying to, like you said, you know, be your spirit and help out yeah, usually the women are way more put together way more mature.
Speaker 1:That's why I said man everything about them and I think, uh, but I never try to put the guys down, I try to um. Sometimes you know you need practice too, like you need a guy to a good guy friend, a wingman, a wingman, yeah, to kind of give you the confidence and, uh, and some insight, because, man, some of these guys are so dumb they'll come on stage and they'll say the most.
Speaker 1:But sometimes well, they just think sometimes, uh, but sometimes nervousness comes out in different ways yeah, yes say things and I can see right through it because I'm, I'm, I'm in, you know, mid-30s. So it's like, okay, this guy, he's still not mature yet. He's saying things that he thinks is cool or is what's gonna win people over. But this is obviously bad information he's getting from someone or you know he's he hasn't learned or grown yet.
Speaker 3:So, uh, yeah, he just sometimes someone, he's an older brother to kind of be like nah, bro, like this is what you said, that's what I said, that's what I noticed that you've been that big brother, yeah yeah, bro, a lot of these guys don't have like a good big brother to tell them they ain't shit and they gotta like you know, but that's what's missing, because I had that I had that.
Speaker 1:Uh, you know, I had that my whole life and that's what you need, or that's what I'm the oldest.
Speaker 2:I never had that, so oh really yeah and I never had the opportunity to do with my younger brother because, like I, left the house early okay became a parent early and so yeah, yeah, but I do have my kids yeah, I tell them all the time you ain't shitting, that's funny I like the fact that I was. I was watching the transcending show you manifested, netflix man sold out show congratulations, congrats thank you so much.
Speaker 3:Yeah, no, it's it's been, uh, it's been, it's.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much. Yeah, no, it's been. It's been fun, you know it's been. It's been cool to see the results and, yeah, I just try to share the process with everyone so they know, like you know, what comes with it and I'm enjoying it. You know, my wife and I we've been on tour the past like 12 months and it's been nonstop, but we're excited about what the future is going to be.
Speaker 2:Are you in Uliwet.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he's got a story for it. Go for it.
Speaker 1:Well, we were engaged for a while, but we eloped in Las Vegas in September and Matt Reif was my best man.
Speaker 3:Oh, Matt Reif.
Speaker 1:Jake from State.
Speaker 2:Farm was there.
Speaker 1:It was a wild night, bro, but we had such a good time and good memories and we wouldn't have done it any different way, and so, um, yeah, that's awesome, yeah, I'm excited man, you know.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we're enjoying marriage life and very cool working on our first baby one day, I'll know, I might just have to come to one of your shows and see. You know, I'll be one of those guys who comes in there and you can just it's a party. I'm not going to go into the some of the extremes you do, you got people making out and all kinds of stuff that's something that he cannot control.
Speaker 1:I can't control the emotions. There's a lot of excitement. That's funny. But you know it's funny because certain cities are more uh open to that than yeah, in other cities and, uh, it's cool to see.
Speaker 2:So nebraska wasn't giving you that vibe, I'm just no canada was very shy compared to like uh.
Speaker 1:I was in ohio this week. They they were crazy man, but I like you know it's uh. Look, it's all about what consent and whatever people are comfortable with friendly, friendly, yeah, good vibes if there's good vibes and everyone's aware, then I see nothing wrong with it but you said the rules, especially also before you start.
Speaker 3:You know, starting, yeah, yeah, you're like yeah, yeah, yeah, just because people sometimes need the you do.
Speaker 1:Yeah, there's always like a frame there. Toxico, oh god.
Speaker 2:Structure, structure. Yeah, we need some structure. Exactly, recause on the feels.
Speaker 4:Sometimes. Yeah, now you mentioned your tour. Martin had a dream. Yes, right, yes. What can people expect From this tour? I know you're going up To like 2025.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, we've already expanded To next year. It's gonna be A lot of new material that you haven't seen before. Awesome, you're gonna next year um, it's going to be a lot of new material that you haven't seen before. Uh, you're going to see, you're going to see some matchmaking, some lovemaking. Yeah, it's going to be and just it's going to be a party. Man, it's a party, it's a celebration of, like you know, success and we're going to have a good time where would they find those dates?
Speaker 3:and for your tour, uh just go to martinaminicom.
Speaker 1:uh, all my tour dates are on my website and uh, you can just follow me on my YouTube and my Instagram, martin Amini.
Speaker 2:It was amazing having you here.
Speaker 1:I had a lot of fun. I feel like it was therapy. At one point I was getting angry. I was just thinking about it.
Speaker 3:He looks like he's about to start swinging us up. Like you said this is a safe space. It was cool.
Speaker 1:You guys represent different generations in the culture and so I don't have you know, I don't have any like friends I can talk to like. This is the closest I get to like friends, because I'm so far away from where I started that. I have and I'm in different rooms now that doesn't look like this and so I feel like you know, by the middle of this interview I just started like You're taking up the space? Yeah, bro, because I don't have anyone to talk to to relate to you know, success.
Speaker 3:Come again, come again, come again.
Speaker 1:Yeah, happy to come back and yell again.
Speaker 2:We need to bring back beating kids, gen. Z. They're going crazy.
Speaker 3:And flowers to Ida again.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I got emotional just thinking about her.
Speaker 2:Yeah, look, she's paved the way for her and she's very adamant. As a matter of fact, one of the stories that she gave me was we were trying to get her like a long time ago. Yeah no-transcript, like they're literally determining for her.
Speaker 1:Yeah, what she should be a part of.
Speaker 2:I'm dealing with that right now too, bro, and it's like.
Speaker 2:And it's like, yeah, like at one point she got really frustrated with that process because she's all about giving the opportunities for her people to kind of go in and and having a part of that. So we're like I was ecstatic to have her, you know, just like I'm ecstatic to have you, man, your story is amazing and your success is even more amazing and I and I can't wait, so at one point you're gonna have to give us tickets to your show yeah, whenever you guys want to come let me know.
Speaker 2:I'm happy to have you.
Speaker 1:I look at the dates, because you guys want to come, let me know. I'm happy to have you anytime.
Speaker 2:I look at the dates because I definitely want to go and support you. Man, I really love what you do.
Speaker 1:You're funny as hell so I really appreciate it thank you.
Speaker 2:Alright, everybody, that is our show for today. Follow us on all your favorite listening apps and on social media accounts, at Todo Wafi and at todo latino show from 1500. Live at pro audio la I'm rafael, that is yobi, that is brie and that is martin, and we are out.
