Tyhem Commodore, widely known as Mr. Commodore, doesn’t ease into a conversation—he steps in exactly as he is. When we connected, he was fresh off celebrating his birthday, in a good place, and fully himself. That same energy runs through his comedy. Known for sketches pulled straight from everyday life, Mr. Commodore has built an audience by saying the things people recognize but don’t always say out loud. What started as viral moments online has grown into a focused approach to craft, performance, and long-term vision.
In this interview, he talks about where his characters come from, how he thinks about comedy in the current climate, and why building something beyond social media matters to him.
Thank you for making time for the interview. How’s everything going?
Everything’s good, man. I’m blessed. I feel amazing. Just celebrating my birthday, you know. I feel good.
That’s what’s up. When Tanisha (Jones) told me you were available for the interview, we had to move on it, man. We had to move on it. I’m definitely a fan. You’ve cracked me up for days. Your comedy sketches often mirror real life. How do you choose which everyday moments to turn into material?
It’s basically life experiences. I learned that a lot of people kind of fear speaking about what they’ve been through, their experiences. When you can show that in a comic form, people really enjoy that because it’s something they’ve been through, and they can relate to it.
Now, many people first discovered you through viral clips. How has growing from an online creator into a working comedian changed the way you approach your work?
I study my craft more often now, especially for on-screen work. It just leveled me up to take it on stage and on screen.
Who would you say has been the biggest influence on you, as far as your performances, even on screen?
I’d have to go with… When it comes to acting, you can’t leave Denzel out. When it comes to comedy, Martin is definitely number one. I watched him while I was growing up. I love how he and Eddie Murphy always transitioned between characters and played multiple characters in different movies.
For characters that are known or feel very familiar to your viewers, what’s your process for building those personalities?
That’s also a result of growing up and life experience. I think every neighborhood and people around the world can relate to “Fresh Out.” It’s a jail character everybody can relate to. With Huey, everybody knows a person who’s educated, but they’ll call him a nerd because he’s soft-spoken, you know what I mean? My audience can relate to life experiences and the people I’ve encountered or worked with in the past.
Comedy can open the doors to big opportunities. How has your work helped you build a career?
I think a lot of people are aware of my comedy. Anything I post is definitely going viral. Numerous programs and podcasts have mentioned my name and the work I’ve produced. I am definitely known throughout the hip-hop generation. It’s great to be mentioned in a lot of important conversations right now. I’m being spoken about in a lot of rooms I’m not in.
Your videos make humor with real issues. How do you decide when to push a deeper point and when to keep things light?
When I first started, it was kind of hard to create. I would always judge my own craft and think about other people’s opinions. I don’t keep it heavy these days. I know, as a comedian, what points to make, how far to go, and what not to touch on sometimes. I had to learn early that people’s opinions didn’t matter because I was creating content I knew would work for my audience.
During this time when a lot of comedians face being canceled, how do you navigate that space?
Should I tell you? I’d like to be canceled (laughing). I heard it’s kind of dope now. It doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve seen people come back. I’ve seen people get canceled for one day. You’re always going to have fans. You’re always going to have people against what you’re doing. I don’t care about cancellation.
What have you learned about the business side of comedy as your audience has grown?
I’ve learned you have to take your audience off social media. That’s very important because we don’t know how long it’s going to last. Always make sure you can bring them to you in person, whether that’s at a venue, a stage, a movie theater, or a screen. Make sure your audience can follow you off the internet.
A lot of new comedians look to online platforms to get noticed. What advice would you offer them?
Always be creative and build an audience. Some people go viral and get a following, but people still don’t know which direction they’re going. Work on your craft and build an audience so you know what you’re feeding them. With my audience, they know what to expect from me.
You collaborate with a range of creators. What makes a partnership work well for you?
Chemistry. There’s got to be chemistry. If we don’t have chemistry, it’s not going to work out. It’s going to be a waste of time
As your following increases, so do expectations. How do you keep your content fresh while staying true to your style?
I focus on giving people what they want. I rebirthed my content with stories and reenactments from hip-hop and podcast interviews. People love them and anticipate the next one. Most importantly, I provide them with content that they can relate to, because if they get it, they will share it.
What can fans expect from you next, whether online or on stage?
They can expect greatness. I can only get greater than what I am today. I can only build.
When you think about your long-term career, what goals matter most beyond viral content?
Taking viral content off social media and having my own network for a lifetime.
Be’n Original
