Native Naptown comedian and actor Mike Epps — aka Black Doug in “The Hangover” (“They should call them floories!”) and new tour mate for Snoop Dog — is coming home. This time, though, it’s for more than a visit to his mama’s house and the Kountry Kitchen Soulfood Place. On July 15, he will be honored as Indiana Black Expo’s Entertainer of the Year.
Growing up, Epps split time between his family’s house in Indy and his grandparents’ home in Gary (and once ended up in juvie after pulling a prank involving Super Glue). He found fame in New York on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, and now makes his living in movies such as “Next Friday,” “Janky Promoters” and “Next Day Air.”
But, he still finds time to help out his hometown. Last year, residents at Hearts Landing Apartments were surprised to find Epps leading a Peace in the Streets rally on the front lawn.
Epps might not have a stretch of I-65 named after him like Babyface, but Indy Mayor Greg Ballard will recognize Epps’ accomplishments next week by awarding him a key to the city — which he is eager to try in a few locks.
How are you?
Hey, hey, hey!
What was your reaction when you found out you were going to be named Entertainer of the Year for the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration?
I like to fell out. I like to fainted. Chills ran down my back.
Have you worked on your speech?
I was going to freestyle it because the more natural and organic and from my heart is the best way to do it.
Did you attend Summer Celebration when you were young?
I went to Expo when I was young, and I had a lot of great memories. Getting prepared for the weekend and going down there to the different booths that they had. Getting all the free stuff, of course.
Did you have a favorite Expo event?
I remember I got a chance to meet a lot of stars. It’s crazy. The people that I met at Black Expo as a kid — I’m meeting them again, and they don’t remember meeting me. I met Al B. Sure, Heavy D and a couple great ones and they didn’t believe me.
Now you’re that “great one” that people are looking forward to meeting. How does it feel for the shoe to be on the other foot?
I give all the praises to God for giving me the opportunity to be honored in my hometown.
When you come home, do you feel like a celebrity?
I feel like I’m at home. I never tell people, but when I was a kid, I used to pretend in my own mind that I was a celebrity. I would just sign pieces of paper like I was signing an autograph. I know what it is for a kid to see me walking around at Target, or my favorite place, White Castle.
I know what a kid would feel like, to see somebody that they see on TV and in the limelight, in regular places in the city. I feel like I give the inner city that. You might see me at the gas station getting my own gas. That’s what I love about coming home.
You’re also playing in the celebrity basketball game, which is going to be filled with kids who have been growing up watching you in movies.
God bless all the little children in Indianapolis. They are our future. I like to be a part of anything that has to do with our future. If one or two of them sees me with a straight mind trying to do the right thing, we might be able to save some of them.
While you’re home, you’re also going to be honored by the mayor and the city of Indianapolis. Where are you going to put your key to the city?
I’m going to try to put it in one of those banks Downtown if it can fit. I’m trying to get the key to one of those banks. No, but I’ve got a section in my house where I put all my memorabilia, achievements and awards, so I will set it in there. Right up under Amp Harris’ picture. I put a picture of him in there because he’s been so good to me. He’s getting me involved in Black Expo.
There’s a reason why God puts people in your life. To make things happen. I’ve always wanted to be honored by my hometown, the city of Indianapolis. Now that it’s here, I’m overjoyed. Thank you for even thinking of me.
What are the three stops you always have to make when you come home?
First, I’ve gotta go see my mama. The second spot is to see my daughter, Brea. The third spot, I’ve gotta go to the Kountry Kitchen on 17th and College.
What do you order at Kountry Kitchen?
I’ve got to get that baked chicken with the yams and the collard greens. I’ve got to have it. Don’t leave out the hot water cornbread.
When Obama came here, he ate at Kountry Kitchen. Have you talked to him about his experience?
The first chance I get, I’m gonna holler at him and say, “I know you had that baked chicken with them collard greens, them yams and that macaroni and cheese.”
Is there anything else you want to tell your city?
I rep the Nap forever. I want to tell all my friends and family, there’s so many names I can’t even name them, but you know who you are, that were instrumental in my life and for me making it to where I am. Thank you so much for helping me and believing in me. I love my city.
I got Colts stuff all over my bathroom. Even when the Colts lost (the Super Bowl) I didn’t take my blue shirt off at all. Good thing it was me, though, because those New Orleans fans were mean on a Colts fan down there.
Where have you seen Mike Epps?
HBO Def Comedy Jam Tour: Landed on the tour in 1995, starred in broadcasts and hosted new editions of the show in the past decade.
Strays: In 1997, played his first major film role in Vin Diesel’s dramatic portrayal of relationships and drugs.
Next Friday (2000) and Friday After Next (2002): After Epps impressed Ice Cube at a stand-up show, the rapper invited Epps to try out for the part of Day-Day. Epps twice played the timid, anxious character stalked by his obsessive ex and her brutish young sister.
All About the Benjamins (2002): Teamed up again with Ice Cube, playing the hapless thief to Cube’s bounty hunter.
Talk to Me (2007): Starring alongside Don Cheadle, Epps plays a prisoner in this true story of Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene, a radio personality and activist in 1960s Washington, D.C.
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007): Gets “bitten” by a creature and turns into a monster himself.
Big Girls (2008): His song celebrating women who don’t look like Q-tips was originally recorded by Bow Wow, featuring Yung Joc. It can be found on “Funny Bidness — Da Album.”
Next Day Air (2009): As Brody, Epps and his bank robber buddies are the mistaken — but greedy — recipients of 10 kilos of coke, which displeases the cigar-smoking drug lord.
BET Hip-Hop Awards: Hosted the show in 2009.
The Hangover (2009): As Black Doug the drug dealer, Epps ponders the term “roofies” (“’cause you’re more likely to end up on the floor than the roof. They should call ’em floories.”)
