Whenever someone approaches you for a booking, make sure to inquire about the duration of the performance and the compensation offered. This ensures clarity on what you’re committing to and what you stand to earn. In the comedy circuit, there’s no shortage of bookers looking to underpay performers, sometimes resorting to mere drink tickets as compensation. It’s crucial to understand the terms before accepting any offer, safeguarding your interests before hitting the stage. It’s happened where I haven’t asked the booker what the pay is, only to get a drink ticket for a 10 min set.
As a part of our series called “Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian”, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Patrick Hakeem.
Patrick Hakeem is a comedy rising star, known for his quick wit and infectious charm. With performances at prestigious festivals like JFL Toronto, Icebreakers, Ice Cold, Zoofest, and NXNE, he’s proven himself as a comedic force to be reckoned with. Patrick has also graced the airwaves, with appearances on Sirius XM and CBC radio, showcasing his talent to audiences far and wide.
Originally from Montreal, Patrick’s multicultural background adds depth and richness to his comedic perspective. As a half-Syrian, half- Ecuadorian first-generation Canadian who grew up in an all-Italian neighborhood, he brings a unique blend of cultural influences to his comedy. Patrick’s ability to connect with diverse audiences stems from his experiences, making his performances relatable and genuinely entertaining.
What sets Patrick apart is his remarkable ability to engage with the crowd, effortlessly weaving in heart-felt rants and spontaneous interactions that leave audiences roaring with laughter. Whether he’s poking fun at societal norms or sharing personal anecdotes, Patrick’s comedic style is both playful and profound, showcasing his talent for finding humor in life’s everyday moments.
With Patrick Hakeem, audiences are in for a night of laughter, insight, and pure entertainment. Keep an eye on this rising comedian as he continues to leave his mark on the comedy scene, one hilarious performance at a time.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born and raised in Montreal, Canada, the offspring of two immigrants. Mom hailed from Ecuador, Dad from Syria. Their love story hit a snag by the time I hit kindergarten, resulting in remarriages and a split household for me. Growing up in a predominantly Italian neighborhood, I struggled academically, preferring fun over studying. By 16, I dropped out, realizing school wasn’t my thing. I told my mom I graduated just to ease her worries. For the next decade, I immersed myself in Montreal’s nightlife, indulging in alcohol and drugs while hopping between odd jobs, from bartending to scriptwriting for Brazzers.com. Montreal, with its vibrant scene, became my playground.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path as a comedian?
As far as I can remember, I always wanted to be an actor and a comedian. I was really inspired when I saw Eddie Murphy’s ‘Delirious’ when I was around 10 years old, and I thought it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. I spent most of my young life being a juvenile delinquent and partying. I had avoided doing stand-up because I was just too afraid. Then, an actor friend of mine convinced me to take an acting class, and I met a comic who was super successful named Sugar Sammy, and we became quick friends. He encouraged me to do stand-up, and about a year later, I did my first open mic at the tender age of 31.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
The first time I stepped onto the stage for stand-up was at an open mic competition held at Comedyworks, a renowned comedy club. Each contestant had to deliver a 5-minute routine, with the audience’s favorite earning a coveted guest spot for the weekend at the end of the month. To my surprise, I performed exceptionally well that night and clinched the guest spot. However, my second and third performances, which were those very guest spots I had won, turned out to be a disaster — I bombed for the entire weekend. It was a rapid realization of the extreme highs and lows comedy can evoke, all within my first two appearances on stage.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I once started my set talking about how I used to masturbate to scrambled porn when I was kid… To a retirement community that had hired us for a 3pm show. This was received by silence. I learned that day to read the room and know who’s in the audience so thatI can pick my jokes accordingly.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
The individual who had the greatest impact on my journey is Dave Merheje. Currently, he’s shining on the silver screen alongside Daisy Ridley in ‘I Sometimes Think about Dying’ and portraying Ahmed in the acclaimed series ‘Ramy.’ But before all that , he was another comic navigating the Toronto scene. I had the privilege of being his go-to opener for quite some time, and it was a masterclass every night watching him own the stage. His ability to connect with the audience and catch every subtle vibe in the room was remarkable. Beyond his stellar performances, Dave imparted invaluable lessons, teaching me the importance of professionalism, time management, and respecting set limits. Alongside Dave, I must mention other remarkable comics like Steph Tolev, Alex Pavone, and Nick Reynoldson. Their work inspired me to hone my craft and discover my own voice
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Just do it! You’ll know if it’s for you or not the minute you step on stage. Then I’d tell you to focus on your stage act and yes I do understand social media is a huge tool now, but if you want to be a great comic, repetition on stage is the best way to hone your skills.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
I’m working on getting my 01 visa and plan on spending time coming up in the NYC comedy scene.
What do you do to get material to write your jokes? What is that creative process like?
I’m all about real-life stories, you know? I’d say I’m more of a storyteller than anything else. When I’m getting into my creative zone, I usually draw from things that have happened to me or stuff that’s been on my mind. I hash it out on stage, hitting up as many mics as I can to really polish it up.
What are your “Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian” and why?
- Whenever someone approaches you for a booking, make sure to inquire about the duration of the performance and the compensation offered. This ensures clarity on what you’re committing to and what you stand to earn. In the comedy circuit, there’s no shortage of bookers looking to underpay performers, sometimes resorting to mere drink tickets as compensation. It’s crucial to understand the terms before accepting any offer, safeguarding your interests before hitting the stage. It’s happened where I haven’t asked the booker what the pay is, only to get a drink ticket for a 10 min set.
- If a booker wants to book you for a weekend and requires you to travel, ensure they provide either hotel and travel accommodations or reimburse for gas expenses. Bookers often expect comedians to travel, and some may conveniently forget to cover these costs unless prompted. While not all bookers operate this way, it’s important to be cautious, especially when you’re new to the scene. This has happened to me.
- When you’re starting out, it’s crucial to stick to your allocated time. Once you see the light, it’s time to wrap it up. I’ll admit, I’ve fallen into this trap as a younger comic. I vividly recall a time when I bombed for a solid 10 minutes, yet I stubbornly stayed on stage, convinced the next joke would turn it around. Seven minutes past my slot, I finally stepped down, only to face the stern words of the comedy club owner. Their scolding reminded me that by overstaying, I not only prolonged the agony but also disrupted the show’s flow, ultimately dampening the atmosphere
- Launching your own comedy show is an excellent way to connect with fellow comics and immerse yourself in the local community. I embarked on this journey around six months into my comedy career, and it made a world of difference. By curating a lineup of incredibly talented comedians, I not only had the opportunity to witness their skill but also honed my skills as a host
- When you’re running your own show, you gotta know when to time it right. If things are flowing smoothly, there’s no need to keep popping up between acts and dragging it out. I remember this one time, I was hosting this super hot show. I kicked it off strong, and every comic on the lineup was absolutely killing it. But then, I started inserting myself between each act, thinking I was keeping the vibe up. Turns out, each time I came back on, the laughs were getting fewer and fewer. After the show, I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t do as well as I thought I would. That’s when a seasoned comic pulled me aside and explained it — I’d stretched the show way too long.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
DTA! Don’t Trust Anyone! Stone Cold Steve Austion! There are a lot of networking snakes out there that will push you down the stairs to put themselves over like Elizabeth Berkley did to GIna Gershawn in the movie Showgirls. I’m always ready to give anyone the stunner if they cross me.
You are a person of huge influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would take us all back to the world before social media and smartphones. People seemed mentally healthier back then.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
WWE legend in the making, Cody Rhodes! This guy’s my inspiration when it comes to knowing your worth and betting on yourself. Remember when the WWE had him rocking that Stardust gimmick? Cody knew he was destined for bigger things. So, he took a leap of faith, left the WWE, and hit the indie scene like a wrecking ball, making a name for himself worldwide. Oh, and let’s not forget, he co-founded AEW, shaking up the wrestling world. And now? He’s back in the WWE, making waves like never before. Royal Rumble winner, eyeing that top spot against Roman Reigns. Cody’s journey screams ‘never give up,’ ’cause when you bet on yourself, magic happens. His story? It resonates with me deeply, reminding me to take risks and bet on my own comedy journey
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
Instagram @patrickhakeembro
Twitter @heenjoyspizza
Facebook Patrick Hakeem Comedy
Tik Tok @patrickhakeembro
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Patrick Hakeem: Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.