In a recent conversation on Mr Jay Hill Network podcast, KevOnStage opened up about why he’s never incorporated cursing into his stand-up and how he’s stayed committed to his values, even when shortcuts and trends might have promised faster growth.
Kev explained that his decision not to curse started early in life. Raised in the church, he never picked up the habit, not at school, not while playing sports, and not at home. When he transitioned into stand-up, it wasn’t a calculated choice to stand out; it was simply who he was.
“I didn’t cuss as a kid. I grew up in church, and it felt like a sin for real,” Kev said. “So when I started doing comedy, I just didn’t cuss either. It wasn’t a badge of honor. It was just me.”
Still, he admits that clean comedy presents its own challenge. “Cursing is like seasoning. It can make things funnier. If you’re not going to cuss, you’ve got to work harder to be funny.”
Early in his career, Kev spent years observing comics at Nate Jackson’s comedy club, studying not just how he killed on stage but also how he handled tough crowds. One takeaway stood out: some comics relied on cursing or sex jokes as an easy bailout when audiences weren’t responding.
Kev refused to lean on those shortcuts. “For me, that would feel inauthentic. I love that comedy is hard. Crafting jokes is like a puzzle, finding the right word, the right order, the right timing. If I don’t cuss in life, I can’t use that on stage as a bailout.”
Kev also drew parallels between comedy and his time working in banking before his entertainment career. He recalled colleagues who cut corners to make big bonuses, only to leave customers hurt in the process. Watching that unfold shaped his view of long-term success.
“I’ve seen people build fast off shady stuff, in banking, on the internet, everywhere. But I couldn’t do something I didn’t believe in. For me, it’s more important to be able to sleep at night,” he said.
That philosophy extends to content creation, where trends like clickbait thumbnails and staged pranks propelled some creators to viral success. Kev acknowledged the temptation but chose not to follow that route. “You can go back through all my videos, you can’t say I built my career like that. It’s been slower, but it’s been truer.”
Kev also reflected on how even the most successful figures, from Jay-Z to Oprah, face criticism tied to their rise. “I don’t think anyone has a completely clean slate at that level. You’re always going to be the villain in somebody’s story. If I ever reach that level, I know someone will feel like I left them behind. That’s just part of it.”
For Kev, the key isn’t avoiding criticism altogether but knowing his career is rooted in authenticity. “My kids, my grandma, they see my content. I want my family to be proud of what I’ve done. Money ain’t the only thing. I’d rather g
