Wil Sylvince
"comedy taking a bold step forward"
by Teja Madhavan
  
 

In this issue, we’d like to shine the Strive spotlight on a very talented comedian and actor, Wil Sylvince.
  
Wil’s resume is thoroughly impressive. His film and TV appearances include the movie, 30 Years to Life- a Comic Indie Feature starring SNL comedian Tracey Morgan, Showtime at the Apollo, the Apollo Comedy Hour,  several appearances on BET’s Comic View, Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam, and the Chris Rock show. He has also performed on tours for Chris Tucker, Damon Wayans, Monique, DL Hughley, Bill Bellamy, Sommore, Thea Vidal, and Paul Mooney. 
  
He was even tapped by Wyclef Jean to write some of the hilarious skits on The Fugees album, The Score, and later on Wyclef’s  solo album, The Carnival. In addition, Wil performs regularly and is a favorite at several universities including Harvard, Florida Atlantic University and many historically black colleges. 
  
We took a moment to sit with Wil Sylvince and ask a few questions of the rising star…check it out. 
  

STRIVE: How was it growing up in Brooklyn? Are you from a wealthy celeb-family background, a middle-class rearing, or a blue collar fam?
Wil: I am from a “every collar background”. Everyone who had a collarbone had to get a job. My dad didn’t play that. Even my grandma had a job and she was 77. 
Growing up in BK, East New York was good and bad. Good because it forces you to think of different ways to survive. Bad because you’re constantly watching your back but I didn’t realize this until I moved to a nicer neighborhood. 
  
  
STRIVE: How was the response to your first performance?
Wil:  My first performance was not good. I got booed off stage so fast I thought it was a set up.  After I bombed, Al Qaeda wanted me to join them. 
  
 
STRIVE: How hard was the work getting here? What was the turning point in your career?
Wil:  I always knew this is what I wanted to do since I was in 3rd grade! So I never thought of it as being hard, I just had to find a way to translate my message. 
The turning point in my career was when I quit my job. I was building robots for this company called International Robotics-- I was a technician. 
  
  
STRIVE: What's been the biggest trial you have overcome?
Wil:  Getting accepted in white clubs. 
  
  
STRIVE: What's the biggest tool, skill, or strength a newcomer needs in this industry?
Wil:  Stage time! 
  
  

STRIVE: What's next for you?
Wil:  Paying my rent on time. 
  
 For those of you who have had the great experience of seeing a comedic performance by Wil, you know that you definitely get your moneys worth and much more, and you will be laughing for days thinking about the jokes he told and trying to retell them to your friends.  Wil used to be one of the main hosts for one of the most successful comedy shows in the city on Sunday nights at the Boston Comedy Club. Now you can catch him hosting and performing at various venues in the city, including the Laugh Factory on Friday nights 10:30 pm, and the Comedy Cellar on Tuesday nights, 9:30pm. Strive will definitely keep you posted on Wil’s shows as we are true supporters and know that this brother is headed for huge amounts of well earned success to come. 
  
  
What keeps crowds coming back is the unique and electrifying brand of humor Wil displays. Wil uses what he terms as an “early childhood speech impediment” to his advantage as he dazzles audiences with his ability to play on words, as well as names. A lot of his material stems from his social and political views and life experiences. His versatility was displayed by his ability to get a standing ovation on Def Comedy Jam with a performance that included no vulgarities. He now uses the tape of that performance to challenge the vulgar stereotype associated with the show, and that stereotype associated with urban comics in general. Wil’s universal material and diverse appeal has enabled him to make the whole world laugh along with him. He has performed around the world, including England, Bermuda, Holland, The Cayman Islands, Germany, Jamaica, and Canada. With an amazing future ahead of him, Wil says “by the will of God and the support of my family, my limits are endless”. 
  
staff writer: Teja Madhavan