The Reporter

EPORTER Vol. CXXIII Issue 18 Stetson University | DeLand, Fla. A trip around the world — inside the Hollis Center h.r. •''■zXi'iilt m<iV'~: *-#K« '.«■'■ -'.tr-sfiF ,~m S':i}?*:?!a «fe. "■-%, sSif* till' If '4 - • * 1* mm i See more photos on the back page ■■ Reporter photo/Kait Forsythe Ladies from Stetson's chapter of the Sigma Alpha lota International Music Fraternity had a whole table full of great British goodies at Relay for Life on April 2. A moment with Nick Cannon Host of America's Got Talent, Caught on Camera, and MTV's Wild 'N Out Nick Cannon visited Stetson April 3 along with the Wild 'N Out crew, who filmed an episode on our campus. Reporter Sports Editor Sean McKnight sat down to chat with Cannon about his life and career. The Reporter: You're a man of many perso- nas: rapper, producer, TV show host, and actor. What do you think has been the biggest contributor to your success? Nick Cannon: Creativity more than anything. It all started with writing, when I was 17, I was the youngest staff writer on television for All That. Even before that, just being a comic as a teenager you have to be able to write your own material, you have to produce your own show, you have to promote your own show, you're the only person on stage. So, that mentality of being a comic and a writer has transcended throughout my entire career. So, when I got opportunities in television and films I just took it all into my own hands and didn't wait for anybody else to help push me along because before all that, it was me who had to motivate myself to be successful. TR: So, you're a father now, with two absolutely adorable kids. Was becoming a father something that's always been on your radar? How has it changed you as a person and an artist? NC: I think that's what every man intends on being at some point in his life. I feel like that's one of the reasons we're all here. But, it definitely changes you it gives you a different perspective on life and allows you to put your priorities in order. When I was younger I was always kind of a daredevil, going skydiving and all that kind of stuff. But, I can't do that type of stuff anymore. You know, because now I'm a role model to them and whatever I want to do will be passed along both good and bad. TR: So, when you go out on stage are your kids kind of always in the back of your mind? NC: Yeah part of it, I mean I talk about my family on stage. I mean, obviously you have to know when to separate the two. There's daddy time and then there's time to go out and be an entertainer. TR: As both a comedian and a musician, who have been some of your influences from both a musical and comedic perspective? NC: Comic-wise, definitely Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Dick Gregory, Richard Pryor and musically probably more Quin- cy Jones and even Russell Simmons more guys who were producers and business men. TR: I'm interested in your perspective of being an African-American in entertainment. How have things been different for you? What kind of unique adversity have you faced? How have you overcome it? NC: I mean, I think it's the same thing we all have to deal with. It's the shorthand that every black man in America has with each other, we know about the struggles and we know about the adversity. But, in my situation I'm probably one [African American man] that's more in the public eye than most and have been received and coined as "safe." I kind of get privy to a lot of other situations that most wouldn't. I feel like it's my duty to kind of help spread the message and wake my community up and recondition my community. Because, there's a lot going on that I feel like somebody needs to stand up and speak about because when some people get to a certain position in life they kind of forget about where they came from. They tend to think about their own, so I feel like I have that inner struggle where you know how much I want to "keep it real" and "hold it down" for the pro-black movement but at the same time make sure that I'm making all the proper business and entrepreneurial decisions. So, as I continue to grow those are probably my unique struggles that most people - white, black, whatever — don't have to consider in their day-to-day lives. TR: When it all conies down to it, how would you like people to remember you? What kind of legacy do you want to leave? NC: When it's all said and done, when the lights are out, I just want people to say Nick Cannon was someone who made people smile, encouraged and inspired them. You knew he was a good dude when he walked into a room and made everybody happy. Whether I could help out my brother or just a stranger that crossed the street. A few cultural credits short? Attend some showcase presentations! Schedule on Page 3 Internet Murder Revenge Fantasy beautifully dives into life online A&E, Page 4 Q&A with runner and rower Laurie Scott Sports, Page 7 iiiiifcj .: :- - ■■■■