Papi The Bear, a Baltimore native and seasoned comedian, businessman, and mechanical engineer, sat down with the BagFuel Podcast to share his raw, unfiltered journey to success. The 45-year-old comic, who’s been honing his craft for about eight years, opened up about the realities of his rise to fame, the struggles he faced growing up in Baltimore, and his outlook on business and comedy.
In 2017, Papi faced a life-altering health crisis when he was diagnosed with a rare sinus infection. The condition required a 12-hour emergency surgery, and it was during his lengthy recovery that he decided to pursue his true passion: comedy. He had his first performance through comedian Howard G, where he delivered a five-minute set that earned him a standing ovation — a pivotal moment in his journey.
Papi’s comedy approach centers around real-life experiences rather than current events or trending topics. “I believe in developing original material,” he shared. “There’s no room for stealing jokes.” His commitment to creating authentic content sets him apart, and he’s not just about the laughs—he’s also about collaboration. Papi is currently working on his first comedy special, which he plans to release in his hometown of Baltimore, showcasing his unique comedic voice.
Papi’s entrepreneurial spirit is just as strong as his passion for comedy. He advocates for self-promotion and creating opportunities rather than waiting to be discovered. “In this game, you can’t wait for the phone to ring,” he said. “You’ve got to make your own calls and build your own base.” He believes in starting local, focusing on building a strong audience in Maryland before expanding to other cities. True to his philosophy, he rents venues directly for his shows rather than relying on promoters. “You’ve got to prove that you can bring in an audience before you ask for anything,” he explained.
The conversation took a deeper turn when Papi discussed the struggles and mentality in his hometown of Baltimore. Growing up in neighborhoods like Northern Broadway, C and Riggs, and Papa Grove, he understands the city’s complexities. He reflected on the generational divide, noting that older and younger generations often struggle to communicate effectively. “You can’t preach to the youth; you’ve got to talk to them,” he emphasized. Beyond generational differences, he also pointed to the lack of economic opportunities in urban areas as a major roadblock for young people, highlighting how difficult it is to find a way out when resources are scarce.
Papi is currently in the works on a 5-city tour, starting July 19th in Maryland. Alongside the tour, he’s working hard on his first comedy special, which will run about 1 hour and 20 minutes. He plans to distribute it on YouTube, inspired by other comedians who have found success on the platform. Papi is confident that his special will resonate with audiences, not only for its humor but for the authenticity he brings to the stage.
A key theme throughout the episode was the discussion of success, especially for black men who experience their peak financial success later in life. Reflecting on examples like Danny Glover and Morgan Freeman, Papi and his fellow podcast guests noted that success often comes in stages. Many black men, particularly those from challenging backgrounds, find their value later in life, especially after pushing through early struggles. The conversation also pointed to how younger generations have more tools at their disposal, including social media, but many still struggle to leverage them properly.
“There’s a lot of frustration,” Papi admitted. “People who’ve worked hard and got what they have now see the younger generation not fully using what’s available to them.” There’s also a sense of being underappreciated, especially when ideas or concepts are taken without acknowledgment. But despite these challenges, Papi remains dedicated to making an impact, no matter the recognition.
One of the more powerful moments in the episode came when the discussion turned to trust and financial collaboration within the black community. Papi pointed out that without trust and unity within the community, it’s no surprise that outsiders may not want to collaborate. “If we can’t work together as a community, why would anyone else?” he said. The speakers expressed the importance of addressing these internal issues before expecting outside parties to engage meaningfully. The conversation also touched on race relations, using Fat Joe’s controversial comments as an example of how both external racism and internal mistrust complicate collaboration.
