In the history of comedy, there’s never been someone quite like Tracy Morgan, who proves just as irreverent and colorful in person as his “Tracy Jordan” character is on his hit sitcom, 30 Rock. Born in the Boogie Down Bronx, the 10-year Saturday Night Live veteran was in Los Angeles to promote his latest film, First Sunday, which marks his first proper leading role after years of stealing scenes with supporting turns in films such as The Longest Yard, Are We There Yet? and Head of State.

More than holding his own opposite gangsta rapper-turned-family-friendly star Ice Cube, the film gives Morgan a rare opportunity to show a more serious side. But don’t expect the 39-year-old actor/comedian to go for the Oscar anytime soon— in his next film, Deep in the Valley, he plays a character named Busta Nut. In the meantime, Morgan kept us laughing while riffing on topics ranging from his unpredictable alter-ego to needing Jesus in his life.

HipHopDX: Some people think First Sunday is gonna be your breakout role. Do you look at things from that point of view when you select something like this?
Tracy Morgan: No, that's too much pressure. I don't know about anybody else, but I'm just looking forward to people going to the movie and enjoying it. That's the main thing.

DX: Why did you want to do this movie?
TM: Why not? When I read the role, Lee John hit home with me. Almost scared me, because I've known that pain. In the beginning of the movie, [he’s this] funny guy, sort of a knucklehead. And then you begin to see the layers being peeled back. For a comedian, it's awesome when you get an opportunity to get emotional. We search for comedy so much, but true comedy lies in drama.

DX: How well did you know Ice Cube before this? Had you guys hung out together before?
TM: No, we didn't hang out. He and I did a movie, Are We There Yet, and I did the voice of the bobblehead doll. We hadn't worked together, but we knew each other. I've always been a fan of N.W.A., and all that stuff, so it was an honor. And I always knew he was the king of franchises, you know? He's like McDonald's! Don't think I didn't go into this knowing if I didn't screw this up, it might be my breakout joint! So I'm fresh out the box, you know what I'm saying? Then, coming out with Ice Cube? So I had to seal it. When I went in that room, the role was mine. I am Lee John! When I got the script, the first thing I did was I broke it down. I read it, then I read it again, and then I began to create a history for Lee John and Durell. So when I got there for the audition, right before I left, me and him were sitting there talking about our [characters’] history. I broke it down for him: We knew each other since first grade. I was always a knucklehead, getting in trouble. You always protected me. Now we’re in Baltimore and we're grown men, and I see you're in trouble with your son, and I'm gonna do anything to help you win him. And Cube was like, "Wow!" And then he started chiming in, and before you knew it we had a history. So by the time we got to filming, we was already Lee John and Durell right there.

DX: How close is the real Tracy Morgan to the character you play on 30 Rock?
TM: Tracy Jordan's my alter ego. Tina Fey and I spent time on Saturday Night Live, and we didn't just work– we partied, too. Saturday Night Live is infamous for parties and after-after-parties and stuff. Tina saw that–she just sat back and watched, and created that role. She said, "Do you." Which is my alter-ego. I call him Chico Devine. Chico's a great guy. Every week I get to fly over the cuckoo's nest. It's liberating.

DX: What did your mama think after you became successful?
TM: Well, that's my moms. My moms always believed in me, man. She carried me for nine months. You know what I'm saying? So after I became successful, she was even more proud. But she's always been proud of all her children. We've never disappointed my moms. My brothers and my sisters, we're all good people. We all have great families. And this show business stuff makes her happy, but she loves her grandkids.

DX: Did you expect 30 Rock to be the breakout hit that it's become? Why do you think it struck such a chord?
TM: Because the characters on the show are the most unlikely. Me and Alec Baldwin? Tina Fey? You gotta watch that show! It's a little bit of something that everybody in there can identify and relate to. Plus, it's like an HBO show on network TV. We push the envelope, and that's what TV needs. I'm sick of this political correctness. It's killing comedy. I mean, we used to make fun back in the days. Archie Bunker and George Jefferson? We used to make fun of racism! Now you can't say nothing without people wanting to protest, and all that stuff. I came up in a different generation of TV. You know, like when Redd Foxx was on Sanford and Son? Anything came out his mouth, and that was comedy. Continued on page 2 »