Mista Mo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (June 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Mista Mo (born Morgan Oliver Smith on January 29, 1972) 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 in 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.

In 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 the late 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 Much More Music'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.