(4/04 - I have uploaded the audio from this piece - you can get it here. Also, as a bonus, I uploaded the audio from the interview I had with director Michel Gondry, who directed Block Party as well as Eternal Sunshine ofthe Spotless Mind. Both of the videos are listed on my YouTube account (or at least they were until Viacom had the Chappelle one pulled?) Enjoy.)
Because of my position at the local tv station, I was invited to Dayton, Ohio for the premiere of Dave Chappelle's Block Party (I previously wrote a review on here). Of course I heartily accepted, took a camera with me, and was off! I never thought I would get to interview Dave, simply because he doesn't give out a lot of on camera interviews because he doesn't want to be taken out of context. Well, anyway, in addition to the director, I managed to snake Dave for a couple minutes in front of the camera. Since this content would never really see the light of day beyond our small college tv station, I have posted the transcript below for all newsviners and Chappelle fans to enjoy. =)
CS: Alright guys, I'm back. We managed to wrestle Dave Chappelle away from the mob that engulfed Dayton, Ohio. How ya feeling Dave? It's been pretty crazy tonight.
Dave: Oh man, it's been great, though. It's always best when you can have fun with your neighbors and friends so, yeah, I'm having a good time. So far, so good.
CS: Why did you choose to premiere it [Block Party] here in Dayton?
Dave: Because so much of the movie takes place here and, like I say, I love rap music, and a lot of the people and places in this movie mean a lot to me. So I said 'Let me just take it back home.' And that way I can get some sleep in my own bed.
CS: Your movie, you finanaced all of it with your own money didn't you? I read that somewhere.
Dave: Ahh, no. Not all of it, but a significant portion of it, yes.
CS: Did you do that because it was a movie you you wanted to do personally or...
Dave: Yeah man. It was something I really wanted to see happen, and uh, thank God it all worked out. A lot of people worked real hard to make this happen. But, eh, it didn't feel like a sacrifice, I love this movie, I'm proud to be a part of it.
CS: Why's music so important to you, Dave?
Dave: My dad was a musician. I think rappers employ a lot of the same techniques that comedians do. They're both spoken word art forms, you know? They both use punchlines and storylines and metaphors, all that stuff that I do, theirs just rhymes, so I think it's a real important art form. And if you watch a lot of television, I don't think they represent really how deverse hip-hop is as a genre. Hopefully this will shed some more light on that to the masses.
CS: This is just a personal thing, but, I think you got kind of a bad rap when you walked off Comedy Central..
Dave: Yeah, me too. Haha.
CS: With that, how does it feel to be in the public eye again?
Dave: Hmm. Eh, not bad, man. You know, it's funny, it's like right now, I'm just having a good time -- I've been on tour for the last ten days with Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Talib Kweli so, I've been having a blast man. If you're going out in the public eye, that's the way to do it.
CS: Go out in style?
Dave: Yeah man, I've had incredible company.
CS: Do you have anything you want to say to some Ohio State kids watching?
Dave: OSU, What's Happening? Keep it poppin', Go Buckeyes.... maybe we should change the name of the team, it's not intimidating enough.
CS: Poisonous nuts?
Dave: There you go, if thats what they are then you should all call them that.
CS: Hey, thanks for taking the time to talk to us, Dave.
Dave: Hey, my pleasure.
Heck of a nice guy, that Dave Chappelle. =)