Interview with MC Hammersmith, multi-award winning hip hop comedian

Could you first introduce yourself to the reader?

Hello, my name’s MC Hammersmith, west London’s leading freestyle gangsta rapper.

How would you describe your show?

My show’s called “MC Hammersmith: Straight Outta Brompton”. It is an hour of improvised comedy raps based entirely on audience suggestions. There’s live-looping, auto-tuning, and banging beats. My goal is to turn the room into a rave. At half twelve every lunchtime. No, you’ve got a stupid timeslot.

What is your favourite part of your show?

I mean, it’s all improvised. But I interview audience members and turn their stories into freestyle raps live onstage. And I especially enjoy it when I get to interview a crazy old man with no filter. I had a guy last week who claimed he spent time in prison for pushing a guy called Mick Hucknall (no relation) down a storm drain. You don’t get that sort of anecdote from young people with stable mental health.

If your show had a theme song, what would it be and why?

Straight Outta Compton. No reason.

What is the one thing you hope audiences will take away from your show?

Anything except the pens. I take suggestions on pen and paper. And people keep stealing the pens. Give me my pens back.

If you could add a surprise celebrity cameo to your show, why would it be and why?

Big L, because he’s my favourite rapper. And because his raps are full of punchlines, which would be good for a comedy show. It might be difficult to get him to cameo - he was shot in 1999. But you never know what’s possible.

Why do you want to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?

I live in Edinburgh, and all my friends are doing it, so I don’t want to look weird.

What differentiates it from other festivals?

It’s the largest party on earth. With a vast number of opportunities for performers. Also – and this is the biggest difference – I’ve done Fringe Festivals in Brighton, Prague, Adelaide, Perth, Wellington, all over the world. And the Edinburgh Fringe is, by far, the festival in which people steal the most pens. Maybe there’s a chronic lack of stationary supplies in the city, and people are desperate. Maybe my fans are just thieving scum. But either way, I lose ten pens on average every show, and a box of 100 pens costs £7.99 from Pens Unlimited. You do the maths.

What is one thing you would change about the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?

Cheaper accommodation. Properly-funded platforms for underrepresented voices. But most importantly, I’d have more venues with projectors, so I can take audience suggestions through a Google Form next year. Give me my pens back.

How has your background, upbringing and education had an impact on your artistic career?

As a straight, cisgender, privately educated white male, I think it’s important to acknowledge my struggle. Sometimes I can’t get a slot on a professional comedy night in London because too many of my school friends are already on the bill. Cut me a break, society.

What is your favourite thing about performing for a live audience?

Occasionally very drunk stag groups will approach me after a gig and give me a cash tip, like I’m a taxi driver. I always take it. I’m not a fool.

What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you while performing?

I ask audience members to hold up random objects for me to rap about. A woman once held up her guide dog. Then a man two rows behind her held up his wife. Properly did a Simba with their loved ones, both of them. Makes you think.

What’s the most challenging or unconventional venue you’ve ever performed in, and how did it impact the overall experience?

I once did a comedy show in a marquee to four disinterested children at a music festival, while at the same time S Club 3 headlined the festival immediately outside the tent to 10,000 screaming teens. It was still better than every gig I’ve done in Dundee.

Is there a piece of feedback you’ve received from an audience member or critic after a performance that’s stuck with you?

“I don’t have a pen, you should have more pens”. Oh really Deborah? You think? Christ I hate the general public. Give me my pens back. Right. That’s it. I’m writing a letter of complaint. Where’s my favourite pen? Oh you are shitting me.

What is your favourite thing to do in Edinburgh when you’re not performing? How do you relax and look after your mental health?

When I was a student at Edinburgh Uni, and especially hungover between morning lectures, I used to climb to the top of the New Amphion in Teviot and sleep on the sofas in the top mezzanine. Nobody would ever be there, great spot. I employ the same tactic during Fringe when I get burned out and need to yell into soft upholstery. Very relaxing, good to scream your mental health better. The queue for Elaine Miller overheard me last year, but quite frankly, they could do with a dose of reality.

Is there a show you’re excited to see when you’re up there?

Mat Ewins’s show last year was beyond sublime. And was full of comedians in the audience, which is the highest compliment you can give. Just go see it.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking about taking a show up to Edinburgh? If you’ve never been before, what would you say has been (potentially) the most useful?

I think it helps to frame your objectives in advance. If you’re doing it to have fun and get drunk – do it! If you’re doing it to make money – you won’t! If you’re doing it to get famous – make TikToks instead! The Edinburgh Fringe has changed so much in the past few years, it’s just an entirely different beast for performers now. If you go in with the goal of have a great time, and anything else is a bonus, you will have a blast.

When and where can people see your show?

12.30pm every day, August 2nd-27th (not Tuesdays) at Monkey Barrel Comedy.

And where can people follow you online?

Give me my pens back.

Header Image Credit: Empirical Photography: David Wilkinson