Nick Cannon: Keep Laughing

By: Mark Lelinwalla

May 22, 2006

Yes, he’s constantly cheesing for no obvious reason and he even rocks a heavy gold rope chain like it’s 1986, but Nick Cannon has indeed plenty of reasons to smile. Chances are every time someone calls him an odd name, he’s laughing.. all the way to the bank, that is.

The young comedian/actor/rapper draws early comparisons to Will Smith, an association that Cannon appreciates. “I love those comparisons. I’m trying to be a multi-media mogul out here,” said Cannon. “That man (Smith) grossed over half a billion dollars! If they start comparing me to Gary Coleman, then we got problems.”

But Nick seems to have very few problems. The former Nickelodeon star recently acted in three movies all set for 2006 releases, he’s a spokesman for the Crest Irresistible iQ campaign and his next album, Stages, plus the third season of his smash MTV series, Wild ‘N Out, are both scheduled to hit the public around the same time this summer.

The first movie Cannon will be seen in is an animated film entitled Monster House, which is scheduled for a July release. The animated film about a house that devours children, will feature Cannon as a cop that helps bring the complex down.

While Cannon’s character in Monster House may be deemed a typical role for the comedian, he’s bound to turn heads later this year for his appearances in a couple of dramas. Weapons is a serious film detailing the gun violence in America. His other film, Bobby, depicts the 1968 assassination of Robert Kennedy. Cannon is especially excited to receive feedback about his performance in the Bobby film, which is due out later this year. “In Bobby I play a young campaign manager that’s fresh out of high school and driven by the Civil Rights Movement,” said Cannon.

Acting aside, the host and star of Wild ‘N Out expects to be busy with the series’ third season. Cannon revealed that the talented Wild ‘N Out staff shoots one episode a day and completes the sketches on separate schedules. The entire taping process takes over a couple of months to complete.

Although Cannon is excited, he’s also downright surprised about the show’s third season. “I created that show just to have fun,” conceded Cannon. “It wasn’t something I was trying to create to where people make it the No. 1 show on cable, like it is. It was just me with my friends. I wanted to mix hip hop with comedy and to me that’s the best kind of blessing.”

Just like Wild ‘N Out wasn’t created with the intentions of rising straight to the top of the Nielsen Ratings, Cannon doesn’t rap with the goal of sitting atop the Billboard charts. In fact, he doesn’t mind it when people call his rhyming skills suspect. “I make my music for my fans and not for people who try to find fault in it,” explained Cannon. “When I was younger I wanted to be the best MC, but now I’m in a place where I understand the music business for what it is: a business. The other thing is it’s something I love.”

Cannon’s new album features guest appearances from the likes of Talib Kweli, E-40, and Anthony Hamilton, and production from Kanye West. Although it’s scheduled for a June release, Cannon thinks it might be pushed back till August.

As if his plate wasn’t full enough, Cannon still finds the time to promote Crest’s Irresistible iQ campaign in search for his "Dime Piece." Crest has placed Cannon in a couple of speed-dating sessions, where he could possibly find a young lady that he likes, with the proper dental hygiene, of course. “When you’re looking for a dime piece, the perfect girl, you want someone with a beautiful smile, with their breath game right,” joked Cannon.

All jokes aside though, Cannon is quick to dismiss his speed dates as an attempt to get over his ex-girlfriend, Christina Milian. “Obviously the media blows things out of proportion,” said Cannon. “I mean we’re still cool and it wasn’t even a situation when we stopped dealing with each other. It wasn’t like it was this big, huge breakup. It wasn’t like it was anything to really get over.”

In any case, with all his projects lined up, Cannon probably doesn’t have time to dwell in the past. He does have time to cash in checks, though, and from the looks of things, there are many checks up for cashing. So, keep laughing.

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