Ghost-written memoirs, tacky clothing lines, bad streaming shows; all the ways musicians, athletes, and entertainers can cash in their celebrity for a quick check, no quality necessary. Opening Netflix last week, my eye was caught by bold white letters spelling out The Vince Staples Show on an image of the beloved 30-year-old rapper and Sprite endorsee sporting a black eye and a bright smile.
Vince Staples has been one of my favorite rappers for years. I’ve been listening to him since I was in the 5th grade, I’ve seen him live in concert, and I’ve laughed at countless radio interviews and podcasts features. As I found myself starting The Vince Staples Show, I was skeptical that the 5-episode limited series was reeling me into a hastily-written cash grab set carefully for, admittedly, fanboys like myself. Instead, The Vince Staples Show delivers a bold, honest, and most importantly hilarious comedy series, establishing Vince Staples as one of the brightest, multi-faceted artists working today.
Made up of 5 distinct episodes of 20 minutes each, The Vince Staples Show is a Curb-Your-Enthusiasm-esque fictionalized riff on the “kind of famous and sort of rich” everyday life of Vince Staples in Long Beach, California. Each episode throws a new, funny set of predicaments at the dry-humored Staples, which often veer off into absurdity, but always feel resoundingly human. Much of the show finds amusement in occupying the fame-normalcy limbo of Staples’ C-list celebrity, but a lot of it touches on universal problems and woes.
For years, Staples has been regarded as one of the funniest rappers in the industry. Equipped with a clear and strong grasp of screenwriting fundamentals, Staples flawlessly translates his natural funniness into quality television. While Staples’ comedic ability is more than enough to keep the show afloat alone, The Vince Staples Show never hesitates to go for striking creative choices, giving the show a unique artistic voice that left me thinking almost as much as laughing, while never coming off as pretentious or preachy. Staples’ harmonious juggling of different qualities and themes is impressive for any screenwriter, let alone a musician attempting a new venture. Above all, The Vince Staples Show is wholly honest and authentic. You can tell that was important for Staples.
Netflix has labeled The Vince Staples Show as a limited series, but I can’t get enough. Vince Staples is a well of artistic creativity and comedic gold. That shouldn’t be taken for granted.
