Chico Bean, DC Young Fly, and Karlous Miller collectively known as 85 South bring their comedic talents to Netflix for a comedy special in 85 South: Ghetto Legends. The performance was taped in Atlanta and helmed by Stan Lathan, an experienced director of stand-up comedy specials.
I had previously seen all three comics do stand-up live separately and on the Hit show Wild N Out but never together. One of the things I love about the trio is each comic has a unique stand-up flavor, but when they bring it together, the laughs are something special.
D.C. Young Fly hails from Atlanta, where he first made a name for himself as an internet personality with his hilarious Vine videos. Since then, he's rocketed to fame and popularity through appearances on MTV's TRL reboot and in a variety of movies. Meanwhile, Karlous Miller got his start in Atlanta too, but before that, he was a firefighter - talk about multi-talented!
Of the three, Karlous is my favorite as He brings his unique perspective to comedy. Finally, Chico Bean rounds out the trio of talented comics. Originally from DC, he honed his craft in North Carolina. Chico is known for his quick wit and contagious energy on stage.
As I try to do with most comedy special reviews, I don't want to spoil any of the jokes from the show. However, the topics included life in ATL, roasting the audiences, and roasting each other. The bond between the trio is evident, as some of the snaps they deliver toward each are borderline fighting words.
The trio had a band on stage, adding extra swag to the show. One of the band members is a highly-acclaimed producer who has collaborated with famous artists such as Mariah Carey and Usher. You will recognize him when his name gets mentioned. Although the trio may appear silly and unconventional, their singing abilities are noteworthy for their brand of comedy.
I'm not suggesting that they should record an album, but even as an R&B enthusiast, I cannot deny their talent for producing funny and memorable original songs. If you've seen them before, you may recall tunes like "Everybody Has Roaches" and "Crip Walking."
The special was made even more enjoyable with performances by Rich Homie Quan and Goodie Mob, adding an extra layer of excitement to the overall show. If I had one gripe was the show's length. Ideally, I would have liked to see three 10-minute solo sets and the trio coming together to close it out.
Nevertheless, after watching their special, I am eager to purchase tickets for their next performance in my city.
Final Grade: B+
85 SOUTH: GHETTO LEGENDS is available to stream on Netflix now.