Andrew
07-31-05, 12:26 PM
Published in the Asbury Park Press 07/31/05
BY CESAR G. SORIANO
USA TODAY
Nick Cannon has six film projects in the works, a controversial R&B single, a new album and his own comedy show, "Nick Cannon Presents: Wild'N Out," which premiered Thursday on MTV.
He writes, acts, sings, produces — all before age 25.
"I ultimately want to be an entertainment mogul," Cannon, 24, says matter-of-factly in the bathroom of his hotel suite while a pal trims his hair.
The San Diego native got his start on the Los Angeles comedy club circuit when he was just 12. Cannon says he struggled with attention deficit disorder; his minister father believed the stage would be a good outlet for his energy.
It wasn't long before he became a teen star on Nickelodeon. His mentor, Will Smith, got him a part in "Men in Black II." Then came his critically acclaimed role in 2002's "Drumline."
But it wasn't an easy climb.
"It's still a struggle to be taken seriously in the industry because I'm still seen as that kid from Nickelodeon," says Cannon.
"Wild'N Out," a sort of "Whose Line Is It Anyway" for the MTV set, is based on his comedy club experience. "Wild'n out" refers to a backstage practice in which comedians trade barbs to warm up.
"It's an improv comedy show with a hip-hop spin," says Cannon.
Cannon and his pals shot a mini-pilot of his idea and took it to MTV, which took it to the next level.
"Nick is such a talented kid, a great writer and director, and he's really funny, too," MTV exec Tony DiSanto says.
More controversial is his latest hip-hop single, "Can I Live," that some have adopted as a pro-life anthem.
"I didn't make the song to make a political statement," Cannon says. "I'm just thanking my mom for being strong."
The song is featured on his September album, "Stages."
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20050731&Category=ENT&ArtNo=507310319&Template=printart
BY CESAR G. SORIANO
USA TODAY
Nick Cannon has six film projects in the works, a controversial R&B single, a new album and his own comedy show, "Nick Cannon Presents: Wild'N Out," which premiered Thursday on MTV.
He writes, acts, sings, produces — all before age 25.
"I ultimately want to be an entertainment mogul," Cannon, 24, says matter-of-factly in the bathroom of his hotel suite while a pal trims his hair.
The San Diego native got his start on the Los Angeles comedy club circuit when he was just 12. Cannon says he struggled with attention deficit disorder; his minister father believed the stage would be a good outlet for his energy.
It wasn't long before he became a teen star on Nickelodeon. His mentor, Will Smith, got him a part in "Men in Black II." Then came his critically acclaimed role in 2002's "Drumline."
But it wasn't an easy climb.
"It's still a struggle to be taken seriously in the industry because I'm still seen as that kid from Nickelodeon," says Cannon.
"Wild'N Out," a sort of "Whose Line Is It Anyway" for the MTV set, is based on his comedy club experience. "Wild'n out" refers to a backstage practice in which comedians trade barbs to warm up.
"It's an improv comedy show with a hip-hop spin," says Cannon.
Cannon and his pals shot a mini-pilot of his idea and took it to MTV, which took it to the next level.
"Nick is such a talented kid, a great writer and director, and he's really funny, too," MTV exec Tony DiSanto says.
More controversial is his latest hip-hop single, "Can I Live," that some have adopted as a pro-life anthem.
"I didn't make the song to make a political statement," Cannon says. "I'm just thanking my mom for being strong."
The song is featured on his September album, "Stages."
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20050731&Category=ENT&ArtNo=507310319&Template=printart