Comedy Q&A: Lil Duval Almost Died Scuba Diving

Whether it’s on stage, a livestream, or the duty-free of an airport, when Lil Duval pops up you know you’re about to laugh at something hella raw.

The stand-up/actor/singer/social media beaut, real name Roland Powell, gets his name from Duval County, Florida, from where he hails. Pretty much born funny, Duval decided to get into comedy after watching Chris Tucker. He cut his teeth at Atlanta’s Uptown Comedy Corner before winning an Oakland comedy contest in 2001 that led to him touring with Cedric the Entertainer.

— And we haven’t stopped seeing him since, whether as a regular on MTV shows like Guy Code, or as your favorite guest on podcasts and radio shows.

You can catch him tomorrow, Friday, April 4, at the We Them Ones Comedy Tour at the Kia Forum, along with Kountry Wayne, Tony Roberts, Karlous Miller, Mojo Brookzz, Bubba Dub and hosted by Mike Epps.

Keep reading to find out what his fav meal is (spoiler: hot dogs) and a bit about how he almost died.

Favorite MTV experience?

Just to get rowdy with the other comedians that I was on the show with — we built a fraternity with all of them. Everyone’s so successful now, we built a show with all of them: Charlamagne, Chris, just everybody, and everybody’s doing their thing now.

Your favorite podcast appearance?

My favorite podcast I’ve been on? I guess I’d give it to Brilliant Idiots. They were my favorite… and one of the firsts to do it. So yeah, I’d give it to Brilliant Idiots.

What’s your favorite open mic or indie show in LA?

When I do open mic and go somewhere, I’m probably going to MONDERAYS with DeRay Davis, at the Improv. Yeah, that’s my favorite spot out there.

If you could play someone else in a movie or show, who would you play?

I’d play J Prince of Rap-A-Lot Records.

If someone could play you, who would it be?

Probably that young dude, he’s an influencer on Twitch and his name is Deshae Frost. He’s a young influencer doing his thing.

What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you?

I almost died scuba diving down in Key Largo. I ran out of air because I went down deeper than I normally go and so the deeper you go the more you use air faster and I forgot that I went down. I ran out of air so I had to rush up, but you’re supposed to wait three minutes – it’s a long story.

What’s your most unpopular opinion?

My most unpopular opinion is that everybody thinks that if you work hard at something, you can do it, but I think you can work hard at something, do everything right and then still not make it — it’s just fate and that’s kinda unpopular.

Favorite comedy movie:  

Grow House — it’s a funny comedy with Martin Starr and DeRay Davis and Snoop, directed by DJ Pooh.

Favorite musicians:

There’s so many, that’s a hard question because it could be anybody at any moment because everybody brings a different element to it so I can’t just put it in one answer. My top three would be Michael Jackson, Prince and Lil Duval.

Favorite comedian:

Redd Foxx

Favorite viral internet trend:

Whichever one I make trend. I’ve been making stuff viral for over 20 years, so whichever one I do. Most recently, I’m doing aunties of the week and making it cool to be an auntie. There used to be a time when women didn’t like to be called auntie — they felt like they were old, but now it’s like a badge of honor. And I feel like I was part of the wave of making that narrative change.

Favorite meal:

Hot dogs

Favorite swear word:

#Comedy #Lil #Duval #Died #Scuba #Diving