Your Favorite White Boy

Here’s Part II of the interview I had with Eric Rosenthal, who with his brother Jeff run the hip-hop sketch comedy website and SOHH Online Hip-Hop Award nominee ItsTheReal.com.

BDub: You guys were mentioned in XXL magazine. That must have been a real trip.

Eric: It was a true honor to be in XXL – I still have years of issues cataloged on my bookshelf. It was the first time we achieved big-time recognition and we were very proud.

One of your first celebrity cameos was from Elliott Wilson, the former editor-in-chief of XXL. Looking back, was he just using you to promo Miss Rap Supreme on VH1?

Eric: Of course, but we knew that from the beginning. Elliott has always been a hero to us, and is now a friend and mentor. And people still bring up that episode when we meet them!

Cool. One of my favorite sketches was the one with Bun B. I’ve always thought he was a real cool dude. Was what was it like to work with him?

Eric: Bun was awesome. He called me, told me he was a big fan and we workshopped an idea in no time. To hear his voice on my phone – the same voice that I’d heard on my iPod, on the radio and on TV – was such a crazy experience. Working with his was a pleasure. He laughed at our jokes, took the role seriously, and was eager to be a part of the show. It was great.

It was. Now that people know itsthereal.com, are you finding rappers and other rap personalities are getting at you guys to be in a sketch?

Eric: Truthfully, we get a lot of artists coming up to us and expressing how much they appreciate what we do. It’s both humbling and amazing. And if they’re willing to be in a sketch with us, all the better.

How did you hook up with your now-roommate Charles Hamilton?

Eric: Pause on that question. Charles was a fan of the show, and BlogsIsWatching.com from Seattle put us in contact. We all have a similar sense of humor and it was just natural to collaborate.

I just heard you boys on DJ Skee’s “Its Charles Hamilton” joint. Is hosting a mixtape as glamorous as it seems?

Eric: Depends on your definition of glamorous, ha ha. It was a big goal of ours to host a mixtape, and we were really lucky that Charles made it happen. We’re really happy with how it turned out from both the music side and the comedic side. And we haven’t been raided by either the RIAA or the Feds, so if that’s glamorous, call us Fergie-Ferg.

Alright, Fergie – Ferg,  now that you’ve conquered the online hip-hop comedy game, what’s next for you two?

Eric: Pyrotecnics, special effects, and a stunt double.

Lofty goals, all. My long-time goal, which largely drives my activities on YFWB, is to get a shoutout on a Mickey Factz track. Any advice?

Eric: Honestly: being persistent and having a message. Bring something different to the table. And have something to offer in return. And if all that fails, hit up Yung Berg.

Tags: Humor, Its The Real