Stories We Tell

NC A&T Alumnus and “Wild N’ Out” cast member Darren Brand is bringing the humor to homecoming with other comedians.

By Zane Smith

The funny man is back in Greensboro, and he’s bringing along a few friends, some of whom are also Aggies. “Wild ‘N Out” star and Aggie alumnus Darren Brand is headlining the Comedy Show for A&T’s homecoming. 

Aggies, alumni, and friends, you will not want to miss this event, so come and enjoy the laughter with some of the top comedians in the game.

The show  will feature Darren Brand, Tyler Chronicles, and Gerard Drankin. The entertainers are performing on November 3 and 4 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Comedy Zone at 1126 S Holden Rd, Greensboro, N.C. Tickets range from $30 to $45 and can be purchased on The Comedy Zone’s Website.

Every homecoming has annual events that attract a crowd—but differ from the Comedy Show. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up during homecoming week, you don’t want to miss the comedy show. Every year, A&T manages to haul some of the best comedians to have ever picked up the microphone.

Jordan Bradsher, a junior computer science major, plans to attend the comedy show and says he is super excited about the headliner.“I’ve never been to a comedy show before, so now seems like the perfect time to go and see a comedian that attended the same school I am enrolled in,” Bradsher said.

Brand began his stand-up career in college when he co-founded the Freestyle Funny Comedy Show (FFCS), a nationally recognized live improv tour with his associates Anthony Bean (Chico Bean), Brian McLaughlin (BDaht) and Gerard Rankin Sr. (OsamaBinDrankin).

Names like Martin Lawrence, Robert Harris, Bernie Mac, and Rickey Smiley have all stepped foot on N.C. A&T’s campus to share laughs.

Michelle Smith, an N.C. A&T alumnus who is a big fan of the TV show “Wild N’ Out,” is proud of Brand’s efforts towards his alma mater and his livelihood.“It pleases me to see such success that Brand has accomplished over the years, especially since I have seen his growth since he first started taking comedy seriously,” Smith said.

Chronicles will also be performing at this year’s comedy show. He is a recurring cast member along with Brand on the show “Wild ‘N Out.”

 Rankin, AKA Osama Bin Drankin, will perform at the comedy show. Gerard also attended N.C. A&T and currently lives in Greensboro, N.C. Rankin now works as a radio co-host on “102 JAMZ”.

 All of the performers at the Comedy Show are not only great entertainers but are also strong advocates of education in black institutions.

 There are some difference’s in this year’s show compared to years past. Traditionally the comedy show has been held on-campus, inside of Corbett Sports Center. Average ticket prices have also increased in just three years. There has been an apparent change in how this event is hosted compared to other events during Homecoming.

 Sophomore psychology student Kamal McGee, said the comedy show should always be on campus. “I believe that the tradition of having the comedy show held at Corbett Sports Center should never change,” McGee said. “Club Corbett is the perfect environment for this event.”

Time will tell if the comedy show continues to be an official homecoming event that is held off-campus. The other off-campus events include the homecoming concert, the gospel show, and step show, which will be at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. 

Zane Smith is an N.C. A&T multimedia journalism student from Durham, N.C.