Black Kasper

Shallbowie “Kasper” Nelson – known professionally as Black Kasper – grew up listening to Richard Pryor albums and watching Flip Wilson on TV in his Knoxville, Tennessee home. By the time he turned 14-years-old, Kasper had his own 20-minute stand-up routine and was performing professionally; often times his mother would have to sign a permission slip in order for Kasper to perform. After a while, Knoxville became too small and familiar for Kasper, so he decided to move to Atlanta, Georgia.

Kasper gained the attention of comedian Earthquake after seven years of performing at open mic-nights and Earthquake began booking Kasper as his opening act. Soon Kasper would open for the likes of D.L. Hugely, Chris Tucker, and Cedric “The Entertainer.”

After winning the Canadian Mist Comedy Competition in 1997 and finishing second to Nick Cannon at the Oakland Bay Area Comedy Competition, Kasper would get his biggest break yet and earn a 30-minute slot on BET’s Comicview; he has appeared on the show every year since 1997.

Kasper’s on-stage energy is contagious and he is a workaholic who sells out auditoriums, colleges, and comedy clubs nationwide.