It didn't take long for Rasul Somji to become one of comedy's most innovative personalities. Born and raised in Tanzania, East Africa, it was immigrating to Toronto, Canada that gave Rasul his shot at a 'comedy diploma' before he had even graduated high school. Upon seeing Rasul perform at a Yuk-Yuk's amateur comedy club night, Canadian comedic heavyweight Russell Peters decided to take Rasul under his wing. Receiving personal mentorship from Russell and fellow Canadian 'King of Comedy' Kenny Robinson at local comedy clubs over the next ten months, Rasul decided to test his training and launched a series of charitable comedy shows at multi-cultural high schools across Toronto called "Stay In School."
Russell offering to headline Rasul's high school tour led to extensive coverage of these benefit shows by Canadian TV networks such as CFMT and Rogers Community, soon inspiring Rasul to take his comedy tour to campuses across Canada. Opening for human rights leader Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter and touring with Canadian Comedy Network personalities Mista Mo and Gavin Stephens also starting landing Rasul guest appearances in a variety of feature films, TV productions and advertisements, including the acclaimed comedy sitcom This Is Wonderland.
Yet it was MidEastOptimist.com's Funny Jews and Muslims international comedy tour that brought Rasul to the forefront of the comedy world, earning Rasul mentions from the States' New York Times to the UK's Observer. Rasul even became the focus of media at home in Canada after prominent appearances on Vision TV and CBC, a particular prime-time profile of such duration that it was referred to in local ethnic media as "The Rasul Somji Story."
Catching the eye of Yuk-Yuk's comedy club founder Mark Breslin at a charitable fundraiser also led Rasul to headlining not one, but two of the chain's latest ethnic comedy showcases, Allah Made Me Funny and We Ain't Terrorists. Rasul also co-produced a Comedy Meets Hip-Hop CD released by CHRW 94.7 FM, Canada's top college radio station.
Foremost Canadian literary scholar Daniel Richler calls Rasul Somji "the funniest Muslim to ever hit the stage." In the school of comedy, Rasul is well on his way to a Ph.D.
© 2006 Phunny Nations
'Comedy Meets Hip-Hop' Radio Special