Comedian Nazeem Hussain combines culture for laughs

Comedian Nazeem Hussain is set to delight audiences at the Sydney Comedy Festival with jokes that unite culture with comedy.

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Nazeem Hussain’s first taste of stand-up comedy was at a Muslim community event — by accident. The 32-year-old recalls being asked to get up and entertain the audience when technical issues halted the small get-togethers and credits these impromptu performances for his success today.

“When the projector would break down or there was a problem with the speaker, I would have to get up and talk rubbish while they fixed it,” he tells BW Magazine. “That was my introduction to comedy, just talking to people in the audience at a Muslim function and it spiralled from there.”

Nazeem Hussain says comedians have to be able to laugh in all directions. Picture: Supplied

Today, Hussain is known for TV shows Legally Brown, Orange Is The New Brown and as one half of comedy duo Fear Of Brown Planet with Aamer Rahman. As well as all scoring laughs, these shows are also common in their subject matter — deeply personal anecdotes that poke fun at and spread awareness of Hussain’s Sri Lankan heritage.

“Things are funniest when they come from a place that is personal. Anyone can tell a joke but no one can tell your story,” he says.

“There’s nothing more entertaining than seeing someone being authentic … Comedy is boring when it’s not slightly tragic. ”

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Hussain says joking about things over which he has been being bullied and facing racism requires thick skin.

“Comedians, under all the facade of being cool and wearing leather jackets, are just clowns at the end of the day,” he says.

Comedian Nazeem Hussain will be performing at the Sydney Comedy Festival. Picture: Supplied

“You have to be able to laugh in all directions, whether that’s at yourself or other people.”

Hussain admits it’s been harder to laugh when social media trolls have threatened him.

“My manager takes them a lot more seriously than me, people who are angry and have a keyboard in front of them say whatever they like,” he says.

“You do have to be careful but ultimately my comedy is supposed to make people feel better than before they walked in.”

No amount of threats will deter Hussain from making fun of racial dynamics — although he does hide the bad feedback from his concerned mum, he reveals with a laugh.

“Comedy cuts through a lot of the BS. If you’re sharing your perspective with a smile on your face and a laugh, it’s a fun way of getting to the heart of the matter,” he explains.

Hussain will perform at the upcoming Sydney Comedy Festival, where comedy rooted in cultural upbringing will be on full display.

Fellow performer Mary Coustas also uses her heritage to earn laughs through alter-ego Effie — a second-generation Greek-Australian who often gets her English mixed up.

And then there is Lawrence Leung whose comedy — like Coustas and Hussain — often originates from the culture clash with his Hong-Kong born parents and the experiences of growing up as a Chinese-Australian.

Mary Coustas and Nick Giannopoulos use their Greek heritage as inspiration for their performances. Picture: Ian Currie

Hussain says the aim of his comedy isn’t to educate but to simply talk about traditions and culture that feel like home.

“Growing up I would have liked to see comedians that looked like me and came from a similar background because I’d relate more,” Leung says.

“It does matter that there are performers of colours and all sexual orientations so everyone can relate.

“I do not ever intend to educate because that’s a weird burden to have as a comedian. Take what you want from the show whether that’s offence, a new understanding, a laugh or just a waste of money.”

The Sydney Comedy Festival runs until May 19

Originally published as Comedian Nazeem Hussain combines culture for laughs