Unsuccessful Thug Audiobook By Mike Epps cover art

Unsuccessful Thug

One Comedian's Journey from Naptown to Tinseltown

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Unsuccessful Thug

By: Mike Epps
Narrated by: J.D. Jackson
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About this listen

From Naptown to Tinseltown - legendary stand-up comedian and actor Mike Epps finally tells all in this outrageous, hilarious, no-holds-barred memoir.

Before starring in Def Comedy Jam and Showtime at the Apollo - before the sold-out comedy shows, Uncle Buck, and becoming his hero Richard Pryor in a biopic - there was Indianapolis. And not the good part. Mike Epps is one of America’s favorite and funniest people, but the path to fame was paved with opportunities to mess it up. And mess it up he did.

Growing up in “Naptown” - what people who live there really call rough-around-the-edges Indianapolis - Epps found himself forced to hustle from an early age. Despite his mother’s best efforts, and the love of his well-behaved brother, “Chaney”, and his beloved sister, Julie, Epps was drawn to a life of crime, but as he quickly discovered, stealing and dealing didn’t really fit his sweet sensibilities. Not to mention he wasn’t very good at it - take, for example, the day he had to call the cops on himself when a dog wouldn’t let him leave a house he was burgling. After several arrests and more than a few months in jail, Epps finally realized that he was an unsuccessful thug, and instead turned to the next most obvious career path: stand-up comedy.

Heading first to New York, then all over the country, and finally to Hollywood, Mike Epps carved out a unique place in American comedy, combining hysterical tales of his family and friends with a mordant take on life in the Naptowns of America. Comedy saved Mike Epps, and here he reveals exactly how he finally grew up and got out, barely. And when describing how he survived when so many of his friends didn’t, Epps makes clear what he’s thankful for and sorry about.

Unsuccessful Thug is about growing up Black in America, facing down racism in Hollywood, and ultimately how it feels to fail at thugdom, pull yourself up by the bootstraps, and end up selling out arenas and starring in movies across the country.

©2018 Mike Epps (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers
Entertainment & Celebrities Performing Arts Celebrity Comedy Funny Stand-Up Witty Inspiring
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Inspiring Life Story • Honest Raw Narrative • Vivid Storytelling • Relatable Struggles • Motivational Journey
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the guy narrating it is good but in my opinion Mike should have done it himself

Mike Epps is just Great

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How can someone who makes so many people laugh be so unhappy in his own skin?
He shared his upbringing and the countless times God’s favor on his life protected him from destruction-from prison-from death!!
His selfless ways and giving back is what brings joy to him - Heartfelt!
Thank you for sharing Mike!!

Eye opening! Never expected Mike’s story to be this!!

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Damn! Didn't know all this. Glad I bought the book, learned alot of where he came from and how he came up.

wow

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Great read.
Funny, informative and inspirational. I love Mike Epps as a comedian but reading his story made him even more likeable.

Now I am a bigger fan

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It’s a great story, and the man reading the story did a decent job. But I wish Mike Epps would have read it. I understand it may have been emotional for him but I think it would have brought another element to the storytelling, more authenticity to it. Overall it’s a good listen.

Great Story

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I enjoyed everything about it. Thought he would be narrating but it ultimately did not matter to me. It was HIS story! Thanks for sharing. So proud of your perseverance and success!

Enjoyed his story and self reflection.

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Great journey and insight from a brilliant comedian. I enjoyed this story, Thanks for sharing it with us Mike.

Excellent!!!

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It was a pleasant surprise to get to know Mike through his book. I must say that I see him in a totally different light not. thank you Mike for allowing us to see you! 🙏🙂🤗😘

I appreciate Mike Epps

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Mike Epps rags to riches story is simply amazing! Loved the whole read..only one very small thing,IT WOULD'VE BEEN HILARIOUS IN HIS OWN VOICE. LOL But the nevertheless ,awesome read.

Great read!

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Loved it. The narrator did an excellent job. Mike's story was super entertaining. After all the stuff he went through, he chose to follow his dream.

Keeping it real

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