You may not know Reggie Watts by name, but there’s a good chance you know his work, or at least recognize his lustrous afro from IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang!, an absurdist faux late-night show in which Watts is the keyboard-playing sidekick to host Scott Aukerman. “Multifaceted” doesn’t begin to describe the 40-year-old Brooklynite; Watts is a mind-bending comedian who composes electronic tunes on a multi-track recorder while improvising funny lyrics and beatboxing, and the man has music and comedy skills to spare. Not only are his riffs on topics like women’s giant purses and trips to Mars hilarious, but he also accompanies them with tunes so funky and infectious, you’ll want to re-watch his YouTube videos just to hear the beats. Watching him create songs and jokes on the fly is like watching someone dance on a tightrope. A very funny and nerdy tightrope-walker who’s just smoked a joint, that is.
– Molly Simms
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Photo by Elizabeth Weinberg
Stylist: Shibon Kennedy
This interview appears in the Dec/Jan 2013 issue of BUST magazine.
