How Mojo Brookzz went from viral social-media comedian to one of comedy’s rising Black stars
TheGrio...
The Chicago comedian has gone from viral sketches to sold-out tours, television and now his first Netflix stand-up special.
Dyon “Mojo” Brooks has spent more than a decade building a comedy career, but social media helped introduce his work to millions.
Better known as Mojo Brookzz, the Chicago comedian has turned his viral sketches into a growing stand-up career, television roles and opportunities to perform alongside some of comedy’s biggest names.
Before comedy became his full-time career, Brooks worked as a party promoter and a private investigator on the side. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, according to his recent interview on “The Outlet Show,” hosted by YesI’mPrettyVee.
Brooks’ path into comedy was also deeply personal. During an appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” he said his sister encouraged him to try comedy just two days before she died of cancer in 2013. About six months after her death, Brooks began making sketches, and stand-up performances a few months later.
Brooks’ first comedy show was much different from the theaters and arenas he performs in today. He told Shannon Sharpe on “Club Shay Shay” that just four people were in the audience: his mother, his cousins and two people he didn’t know.
“I remember going on stage, and I’m trying to tell these stories, but it wasn’t like a real good body of work for me to go off of,” he said.
But Brooks kept going and eventually found an audience through social media. He began creating and performing sketches on Facebook and Instagram, where his characters and comedic takes on everyday life helped him build a following of more than 5.5 million across his social platforms, according to Ticketmaster.
His online success eventually led to television gigs. Nick Cannon brought Brooks onto Season 21 of “Wild ’N Out” after seeing his comedy online. Brooks has also performed alongside established comedians, including Mike Epps and has been part of Epps’ We Them Ones arena tour.
While stand-up remains central to his career, Brooks has continued to branch out.
He plays Basil Henderson in Tyler Perry’s Netflix comedy series “Miss Governor,” which stars Terri J. Vaughn as Mississippi’s first Black lieutenant governor. Brooks’ work also extends to writing and producing, including his collaboration with the Chicago Bears. He earned an Emmy for his contributions to one of the NFL team’s commercials.
His comedic work has also earned industry recognition. Brooks was named one of Variety’s Comics to Watch in 2025, adding to a career that has continued to grow since he first began performing.
Brooks’ previous “I Know You F—n’ Lying” tour sold more than 100,000 tickets across 40 cities, according to WME, his agency. His current “Outta Pocket” tour has continued that momentum with performances at theaters and arenas nationwide.
The tour brought Brooks back to his hometown. He performed at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena on Sept. 12, followed by a second show on Sept. 13 after the first performance sold out.
His rise comes at a time when social media has changed the path many comedians take into the entertainment industry. Instead of waiting for a television network or comedy club to discover them, performers can develop characters, build an audience and create opportunities directly through their own platforms.
And while the venues have gotten bigger, the foundation of his career remains the same: making people laugh.
Brooks is taking his comedy career to an even larger audience. TheGrio previously reported that his first Netflix special, “I Know You Lying,” will premiere globally on Oct. 6. Brooks filmed the special at Atlanta’s Center Stage Theatre in December 2025.