Mista Mo
Encyclopedia
Mista Mo is the star, writer, music producer, segment and co-executive producer of the Buzz
, a sketch comedy television series featuring him and fellow comedian Daryn Jones
of YTV & MTV
fame. Mo is responsible for coming up with popular segments such as: Nuts 4 Bucks, Jesus Caught on Tape, Buzz Cops, Fat Pride, White History Month etc. The son of a Pentecostal Church Minister, Mo was born in Kingston
, Jamaica
, but came to Canada
when he was nine months old. Even though he's had immigration status in Canada since October 17, 1975, he only became a Canadian citizen
on April 30, 2007.
In 1989 while still in high school, Mo started out as a hip hop
/R&B artist under the name "Emoja"; then in 1990, he teamed up with former rap artist Slinky Dee (Edwin Davis) and formed Def Klan. For Def Klan, Mo wrote and co-produced R&B single Kickin' It (We Can Have a Good Time) Featuring: 90's pop sensation Lisa Lougheed - released on a compilation album by Somersault Records. In 1993, Mo teamed up with former roommate, Sean Guy and Erica Harze (The older sister of Eric from the Buzz), and started the short lived music group, Cold December. One of their unreleased tracks was eventually rewritten by Mo & Daryn and became the well known Buzz theme song from 2000 - 2004.
On April 9, 1994 Mo started his comedy career as a local stand-up comic at Yuk Yuks (The Uptown) in Toronto
. In 1995, he became one of the members of The Nubian Disciples of Pryor (All Black Comedy Show at Yuk Yuks). Throughout the years, Mo was aways known to work 'blue' - as time went on, he developed a reputation of being brutally honest, crude and very self-indulgent which was highly influenced by Paul Mooney, Richard Pryor
, Bill Hicks
and Sam Kinison
. Because of his radical social and agnostic views, work become limited - and at times his style of humour had him banned from various venues. But because of his long running television program which catered to a niche market, he eventually became an underground success throughout the college circuit. Still highly edgy in his approach, his material has become more philosophical which is a direct influence by philosophers Ken Wilber
and Alan Watts
.
Since the start of his career, Mo has shared the stage with comedians Dave Chappelle
, Howie Mandel
, Harland Williams
, Russell Peters
, Tommy Davidson
and many others. As for Buzz, Mo has developed & performed unforgettable characters such as "Country Mo-Dee", Shaboobala, Sweet Daddy Third Leg/Bitch Harlot, Ku Klux Klown, Kniggerace (The Black Liberace), Reverend Bling Bling, Thug Steel, David Cottonfield, Drag Queen Ninja, Crisco, Charlie Chaplips, Forgotten Black Super Heroes (Bamboozled P.I., Weave, Molato Man, Bionic Slave, Hang Man, X Con, Booty Man and G.I. Fro) and co-developed the ever popular character, Fluff E the Hip-Hop Bunny played by another fellow comedian & Nubian Disciple, Jean Paul (Pop Cultured w/ Elvira Kurt
). Mo is also responsible for the commentary segment "Ya Heard Me!", which was inspired by his past stand-up routines.
In 2001, Mo won a Gemini Award
along with Daryn Jones and (Producer) Michael Mackinnon for Best Writing in a Comedy Series. In 2002, they were nominated along with (Executive Producer) Merilyn Read for Best Television Show. Also in 2003, Mo was nominated for The Gemini's People's Choice Awards (favourite comic in Canada). Mo has also won numerous awards under his birth name (Morgan Smith) for his provocative spoken word & philosophy. In 2003, Mo started a magazine column "Controversial Edge!!" for Eh Magazine and numerous publications which lead to comedy short "Molosophy" (A magazine column for those who don't like to read) on The Comedy Network
's "Canadian Comedy Shorts." Mo has also released a series of short comedic segments called "These Few Words" on the Emmy Award
winning interactive channel "Bite TV
". Mo has also appeared on ABC
's "Kiss My Act", CBC
's "Thick & Thin" with fellow comedians & Nubian Disciple's Kenny Robinson
and Ronnie Edwards, Comedy Network's "After Hours", "Kevin Spencer
", "Chez Carla", "The Canadian Comedy Awards", "The Nubian Disciples" and many others. He's also a regular on MuchMoreMusic
's "Listed".
In late 2006, Mista Mo semi-retired from show business to do motivational speaking and to work with at-risk youths in his community which he does religiously through a non-profit organization
. Also in 2006, he founded "The Radiant Thinker's Workshop" where he teaches young individuals how to tap into their creative genius. Right now Mo is writing a brand new routine, and will eventually come back to stand-up performing a new one man show across the country; but until then - unreleased television comedy stand-up specials, documentaries & CDs will be released to the Canadian public at a later date on his behalf.
In 2010, Mo is still a youth worker in one of the 13 high priority neighbourhoods, and is now a Certified Meditation Teacher, and a Holistic Health Practitioner in the field of Sonic Brainwave Entrainment (Hi-Tech Meditation). He now runs his own private practice in Scarborough, Ont.
Buzz (TV series)
The Buzz was a Canadian comedy television series that aired on The Comedy Network. The show was hosted by Morgan "Mista Mo" Smith and Daryn Jones. The show originally aired in the mid-90's as a community channel show on Rogers Television before finally getting a network deal in 2000...
, a sketch comedy television series featuring him and fellow comedian Daryn Jones
Daryn Jones
Daryn Jones is a Canadian comedian and television personality. In 2006 he became the host of MTV Canada's flagship series MTV Live, alongside co-hosts Nicole Holness and Paul “The Intern” Lemieux....
of YTV & MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
fame. Mo is responsible for coming up with popular segments such as: Nuts 4 Bucks, Jesus Caught on Tape, Buzz Cops, Fat Pride, White History Month etc. The son of a Pentecostal Church Minister, Mo was born in Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, but came to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
when he was nine months old. Even though he's had immigration status in Canada since October 17, 1975, he only became a Canadian citizen
Canadian nationality law
Canadian citizenship is typically obtained by birth in Canada, birth abroad when at least one parent is a Canadian citizen and was born or naturalized in Canada, or by adoption abroad by at least one Canadian citizen. It can also be granted to a permanent resident who lives in Canada for three out...
on April 30, 2007.
In 1989 while still in high school, Mo started out as a hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
/R&B artist under the name "Emoja"; then in 1990, he teamed up with former rap artist Slinky Dee (Edwin Davis) and formed Def Klan. For Def Klan, Mo wrote and co-produced R&B single Kickin' It (We Can Have a Good Time) Featuring: 90's pop sensation Lisa Lougheed - released on a compilation album by Somersault Records. In 1993, Mo teamed up with former roommate, Sean Guy and Erica Harze (The older sister of Eric from the Buzz), and started the short lived music group, Cold December. One of their unreleased tracks was eventually rewritten by Mo & Daryn and became the well known Buzz theme song from 2000 - 2004.
On April 9, 1994 Mo started his comedy career as a local stand-up comic at Yuk Yuks (The Uptown) in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. In 1995, he became one of the members of The Nubian Disciples of Pryor (All Black Comedy Show at Yuk Yuks). Throughout the years, Mo was aways known to work 'blue' - as time went on, he developed a reputation of being brutally honest, crude and very self-indulgent which was highly influenced by Paul Mooney, Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
, Bill Hicks
Bill Hicks
William Melvin "Bill" Hicks was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and musician. His material largely consisted of general discussions about society, religion, politics, philosophy, and personal issues. Hicks' material was often controversial and steeped in dark comedy...
and Sam Kinison
Sam Kinison
Samuel Burl "Sam" Kinison was an American stand-up comedian and actor. Kinison was known for his intense, harsh and politically incorrect genre humor...
. Because of his radical social and agnostic views, work become limited - and at times his style of humour had him banned from various venues. But because of his long running television program which catered to a niche market, he eventually became an underground success throughout the college circuit. Still highly edgy in his approach, his material has become more philosophical which is a direct influence by philosophers Ken Wilber
Ken Wilber
Kenneth Earl Wilber II is an American author who has written about mysticism, philosophy, ecology, and developmental psychology. His work formulates what he calls Integral Theory. In 1998, he founded the Integral Institute, for teaching and applications of Integral theory.-Biography:Ken Wilber was...
and Alan Watts
Alan Watts
Alan Wilson Watts was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Born in Chislehurst, he moved to the United States in 1938 and began Zen training in New York...
.
Since the start of his career, Mo has shared the stage with comedians Dave Chappelle
Dave Chappelle
David Khari Webber "Dave" Chappelle is an American comedian, screenwriter, television/film producer, actor, and artist. Chappelle began his film career in the film Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993 and continued to star in minor roles in the films The Nutty Professor, Con Air, and Blue Streak. His...
, Howie Mandel
Howie Mandel
Howard Michael "Howie" Mandel is a Canadian stand-up comedian, television host, and actor. He is well known as host of the NBC game show Deal or No Deal, as well as the show's daytime and Canadian-English counterparts. Before his career as a game show host, Mandel was best known for his role on...
, Harland Williams
Harland Williams
Harland Williams is a Canadian actor, comedian, author, artist, musician and radio personality.-Personal life:Harland Reesor Williams was born on November 14, 1962, in Toronto, Ontario, to Lorraine , a social worker, and John Reesor Williams, who worked as a member of the Ontario Provincial...
, Russell Peters
Russell Peters
Russell Dominic Peters is an Indo-Canadian comedian, actor and disc jockey. He began performing in Toronto in 1989 and has been nominated for four Gemini Awards.-Early life :...
, Tommy Davidson
Tommy Davidson
Tommy Davidson is an American comedian, film and television actor.Born in Washington, D.C., Davidson was adopted when he was 2-years-old. He was a child of an interracial adoption, with his parents being Caucasian and he being African-American. He attended high school at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High...
and many others. As for Buzz, Mo has developed & performed unforgettable characters such as "Country Mo-Dee", Shaboobala, Sweet Daddy Third Leg/Bitch Harlot, Ku Klux Klown, Kniggerace (The Black Liberace), Reverend Bling Bling, Thug Steel, David Cottonfield, Drag Queen Ninja, Crisco, Charlie Chaplips, Forgotten Black Super Heroes (Bamboozled P.I., Weave, Molato Man, Bionic Slave, Hang Man, X Con, Booty Man and G.I. Fro) and co-developed the ever popular character, Fluff E the Hip-Hop Bunny played by another fellow comedian & Nubian Disciple, Jean Paul (Pop Cultured w/ Elvira Kurt
Elvira Kurt
Elvira Kurt is a Canadian comedian and was the host of the entertainment satire/talk show PopCultured with Elvira Kurt on The Comedy Network in Canada. The show's style was similar to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and began in 2005, and was canceled due to poor ratings in early 2006...
). Mo is also responsible for the commentary segment "Ya Heard Me!", which was inspired by his past stand-up routines.
In 2001, Mo won a Gemini Award
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
along with Daryn Jones and (Producer) Michael Mackinnon for Best Writing in a Comedy Series. In 2002, they were nominated along with (Executive Producer) Merilyn Read for Best Television Show. Also in 2003, Mo was nominated for The Gemini's People's Choice Awards (favourite comic in Canada). Mo has also won numerous awards under his birth name (Morgan Smith) for his provocative spoken word & philosophy. In 2003, Mo started a magazine column "Controversial Edge!!" for Eh Magazine and numerous publications which lead to comedy short "Molosophy" (A magazine column for those who don't like to read) on The Comedy Network
The Comedy Network
The Comedy Network a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media specializing in comedy programming.The channel operates two time shifted feeds, East and West ....
's "Canadian Comedy Shorts." Mo has also released a series of short comedic segments called "These Few Words" on the Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
winning interactive channel "Bite TV
Bite TV
BiteTV is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel. BiteTV is a comedy-focused channel including sitcoms, sketch comedy, stand-up, films, comedy shorts, and more...
". Mo has also appeared on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's "Kiss My Act", CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
's "Thick & Thin" with fellow comedians & Nubian Disciple's Kenny Robinson
Kenny Robinson (comedian)
Kenny Robinson is a stand-up comic, actor, and occasional DJ. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he moved to Toronto in 1983 to pursue a career as a comedian.In 1998 he was chosen by Now Magazine as their Comic of the Year....
and Ronnie Edwards, Comedy Network's "After Hours", "Kevin Spencer
Kevin Spencer (TV series)
Kevin Spencer is an animated television series developed by Greg Lawrence, aired in Canada on The Comedy Network and aimed at adult audiences. It takes its name from the main character...
", "Chez Carla", "The Canadian Comedy Awards", "The Nubian Disciples" and many others. He's also a regular on MuchMoreMusic
MuchMoreMusic
MuchMore is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media, based at 299 Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario....
's "Listed".
In late 2006, Mista Mo semi-retired from show business to do motivational speaking and to work with at-risk youths in his community which he does religiously through a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
. Also in 2006, he founded "The Radiant Thinker's Workshop" where he teaches young individuals how to tap into their creative genius. Right now Mo is writing a brand new routine, and will eventually come back to stand-up performing a new one man show across the country; but until then - unreleased television comedy stand-up specials, documentaries & CDs will be released to the Canadian public at a later date on his behalf.
In 2010, Mo is still a youth worker in one of the 13 high priority neighbourhoods, and is now a Certified Meditation Teacher, and a Holistic Health Practitioner in the field of Sonic Brainwave Entrainment (Hi-Tech Meditation). He now runs his own private practice in Scarborough, Ont.