You first met Che in Rochester works for actor Che Holloway, an impromptu interview and amble through the Neighborhood of the Arts.
An aspiring and successful actor, Che is deeply immersed in the Rochester cultural scene. So much so, we’ve named him Che of The Town!
Exclusively for Talker, Che has solicited and is conducting interviews from about 100 Rochestarians working in a diversity of creative fields.
For the full series, see Che of The Town: Interviews
Tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, grew up, what H.S./College you attended etc.
My name is Eddie English II but most and almost everyone calls me FLiPP. I got the name Flipp from a child hood and still now friend Andre Morgan, after watching the movie Above the Rim in which Bernie Mac plays a homeless crazy character and his skin is super oily dark skinned so he looked at me and from there on out I was called Flipp lol.. I am now 37 years of age and I’m from upstate NY from the city of Rochester. I went to Edison Tech high school and from Edison Tech I went to the Army. I was in the Army from September 22, 1998 until May 6, 2006 and I also been to war in Iraq. After finishing my enlistment honorably, i attended Genesee Community College for Teacher Education
- What inspired you to be an artist/entertainer? Early experiences worth sharing?
What inspired me to be a actor and comedian was when I saw the shows In Living Color and Martin on TV as a little boy. I was so into the shows that I literally used to act out and mimic every person on each show and to the T, I might add.. I performed my 1st stand-up routine with my friend Corey Hepburn in 6th Grade in a huge talent show and we nailed it. I did my In Living Color impersonations and we rocked the crowd with laughter.. This is how I knew what I really wanted to be and do.
- Talk about a time where you have faced adversity/conflict and have triumphed.
I remember being told in high school by a teacher that I would never be anything. That I would be in jail or homeless or dead. Believe it or not, I was definitely on my way to one of these but what kept me from it all was my FAMILY and a few good friends. My family kept me in church and out of harms way. I grew up on Conkey Ave which was one of the worst streets you can live on at the time. Im definitely not supposed to be here today. I remember being robbed on Ave. A in Rochester New York and the robber pulled his trigger and nothing happened so he made me run down the street almost naked. I think about this all the time and it pushes me to always be better than I was yesterday and to focus on the moment cause tomorrow definitely isn’t promised to us.
- What do you believe sets you apart from other artists/entertainers?
What I believe sets me apart from other artist is that I am very gifted in many things. I am very artistic, which I think is my gift and curse. I draw, sing, write music, do poetry, can cook, a graphic designer, cut hair, act, dance a lil bit, play the drums and keyboard a bit, and then kill you with laughter on stage with my characters and jokes. But what really sets me apart is my love for people!! I want to make a difference in someones life. I love when someone tells me how they needed a good laugh to get over something that they are going through or when ppl inbox me and tell me how a stat of mine or a sketch of mine saved their life.. This is how I know this is my calling!!!!!
- Do you have other interests or hobbies?
My hobbies are listening to music, writing sketch comedy and performing sketch comedy, boxing, playing drums, and doing Brazilian Jujitsu.
- Any projects you have out or currently working on?
One of the projects that I’m currently working on is my “MAKING THE COMEDY BAND” project. .. Im trying to start a live comedy band. Remixing the hits doing originals, remixing gospel songs and all bro but live.. I just want to get with like minded ppl and rock out and grow not only as a team but a family..
- Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I would like to see myself on the TV screen being in a movie or two or/and doing a comedy set on Comedy Central or being one of the members on Saturday Night Live. But ultimately, I would love to have my own show where Im bringing back that Martin type style using all my characters.
- What advice can you give to aspiring artists/entertainers?
The advice I would give to other aspiring actors is: Take at least a hour to 2 hours and do what you love to do! Never ever give up and keep pushing!!!
- How can we follow along in your journey? Social Media?
To follow me on social media go to:
Facebook- Eddie English (Flipp)
Youtube – Comedian Eddie English
Instagram – comedian_flip
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