5 Questions With Kyng Tavii

The airing of the contentious, highly anticipated episode 7 of reality comedy series 876 Roommates has seen battle lines being firmly drawn between the fans of comedians King Tavii and the once-clownish Facebook Hero, who has rebranded into the World Dawg. While the altercation between the two could hardly warrant a fight-of-the-century tag, the fisticuff was enough to cause the episode to trend from the night of airing into the following day. It was also enough to cause Kyng Tavii to ditch the show for good.

But his fans – who the show's producer Carlington Silburn refer to as “a cult following like Kartel's” – are there for him and showed up in the comments section of his Instagram account. “You were too good for that show, clearly in a league of your own … and a lot of things seemed really bias from both the contestants and the producers.” “Idk but I think @kyngtavii defended himself!!! @kyngtavii fling him off twice n it took boosting fi him Mek him coward fiss.” “After watching the episode mi afi give u a follow ute and unfollow World Daag.”

Kyng Tavii has taken it in stride, even creatively placing himself on the cover of 'Vopue', using the same shirtless image from episode 7, which had the women swooning. And the cover's blurbs also hit the comedy mark: 'Voque's fittest and sexiest comedian;' '21 ways to tame a dawg;' 'Super Goat: The unstoppable Kyng Tavii'.

With some amount of trepidation, he agreed to sit down with us for 5 Questions.

1. How did you get involved in comedy?

As a child, my mother used to keep me in the house, and so I ended up watching a lot of comedy cartoons at first, and somehow got interested in production and how the lyrics were put together. Also, Dave Chappell is a big part of my life. I saw a specific video on Comedy Central, and I became a fan. I really like how he scripted his words. I've been gravitating towards the late Patrice O'Neal. A couple of my fans told me to watch him.

2. What was your first video?

In 2014, I posted the video Bun and Cheese on YouTube, and the support around it encouraged me to do more. Basically, my supporters pushed me to greatness.

3. Do you enjoy life as a comedian, and if so, why are you so serious?

It's fun, really fun. If I was able to have a larger team, that would be even better. But I am a person who enjoy my own company. Because of [situations] I have been through in my career, it put me in a shell, and I sometimes come across as serious.

4. What is your ultimate goal?

To represent Jamaica in a way in which no other entertainer has. I would like to shake hands with Kevin Hart and Dave Chapelle, and for them to say, 'Yes yute, I respect your work.' I also want to finish my schooling. I attended UTech for two years doing animation, but had to stop because of lack of finances, but my goal is to finish and get certified. I also definitely intend to pursue music and film. I have already released the single Blazing because of the situation with 876 Roommates.

5. Did you enjoy being on '876 Roommates'?

I enjoyed certain company. But did I enjoy the show? I don't think so. I only watched episodes 1, 2 and 7. Dem a do dem ting. But, as you know, I just got my 'Vopue' cover, and I plan to focus on more [actual] magazine covers and will continue to do my skits that the fans enjoy.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com