In the almost two decades since comedian Chris Rock has been on the scene, he’s been everything from sidekick and standup star to producer/host of two hit TV shows, “The Chris Rock Show” and “Everybody Hates Chris,” respectively. His stand-up career has been stellar, and although his movies, which include the hip-hop classic “New Jack City” “Head of State” and “I Think I Love My Wife,” have more than satisfied, Rock just being himself is much funnier than any character he could create. He’s always been a clever cultural critic, taking people and things to task that just don’t make sense.
Now, Rock has taken on black women’s eternal search for “Good Hair” in his comedic documentary out this Friday. From Atlanta to India, Rock seeks out an explanation for why so many spend so much time and money to get that weave/wig/relaxer right. As the father of two young daughters, he says he had a vested interest in the subject. Thank goodness he didn’t have a boy. Here's a look back at Rock’s past commentary to see what set the seeds for his latest funny take on black America’s crazy ways... "You know Beyonce is going to spend five grand getting ready for the Grammys. But to know Kiki spends five grand to go to work for AT&T - where she's only making $35,000 or $40,000, or whatever she's making - that blew my mind. I don't judge, but that was a big shock."
“Because I just stumbled across the hair show when I was in Atlanta doing stand-up about 15 years ago, and I just thought it was just one of the most interesting, insane events I’d ever seen in my life. So, I always had that idea. But when I first got the idea – A, I wasn’t in any position to get anybody to give me money. And B, you know, they weren’t making funny documentaries 15 years ago. It was a whole ‘nother world. So the idea kind of sat on the side. And then, you know, you cut to – well, 15 years later, I got daughters. And, you know, my daughters started having hair issues; my friends started to have hair issues. And – I don’t know, I had a little break, and it just seemed like, let’s – we’ll get this one shot. It was something I felt passionate about.”
“It's like, if you're black, and you make a hundred grand a year, you're in the record business. You're gonna get tapes! I get them most all the time, man. In the bathroom! Under a stall! I listen to them now and then, every now and then. You never know... "Here's a weird story. There's a record called 'Let Me Clear My Throat.' It's a demo I heard. I gave it to Rick Rubin. He signed the guy! (Laughs) You're looking at me like, ‘Yeah, right.’ Look it up! Look at the back of the album! DJ Kool thanks Chris Rock. (Laughs) Call Rick Rubin! It's true! 'Let Me Clear My Throat' ... I didn't it get any finder's fee. The guy actually reminds me of that all the time, and Rick picks up the check wherever we go.”
