Richard Pryor. That Nigger’s Crazy.

Pryor, Richard. That Nigger’s Crazy. Richard Pryor, 1974.

This groundbreaking album is a recording of Richard Pryor’s stand-up performance at Don Cornelius’ Soul Train night club. In the early 1970s, comedy was milder but Richard Pryor revolutionized comedy with his extravagant jokes. His jokes are not merely comedy but his own real life experiences. He had a rough childhood growing up in his grandmother’s brothel, his mother having abandoned him when he was ten. The themes of this album include racial difference, racism, and gender roles. Pryor uses these subjects which he experienced in his early life in his neighborhood in Illinois. His intention is not only to make people laugh, but also to highlight racial differences through comedy, performing to multiracial audiences. In addition to being a stand-up comedian, he was also an actor in films and television shows which dealt with similar racial issues. He passed away three years ago but is still remembered as a pioneer of comedy with his natural wittiness.