I want to do a list of the top Black stand-up comedians since 1970 but the ranking seems obvious. I doubt many would quibble with this...The question about Murphy is how much era-adjustment is appropriate given the misogyny and homophobia there was in his early-80s routine compared to contemporary standards. But other than that, I'm fine with Toure's list.
1 Pryor, 2 Cosby, 3 Rock, 4 Murphy, 5 Mooney, 6 Chappelle.
I put Rock over Murphy bc of Rock's political brilliance & ability to create lots of memes that live beyond his routines.
The two big quibbles are Rock over Murphy and Cosby's high position. Let me explain my thoughts. This is all obviously subjective. Rock over Murphy bc Rock's political brilliance puts him into the Black comic as philosopher slash shadow politician while Murphy is hysterical and a better storyteller and character mimic than Rock, his not being political on the mic slips him behind CR. Rock has lots of lines and memes that live in the culture and get repeated by politicos, MCs, & street thinkers. Murphy doesn't.
As for Cosby, I don't have to defend him being #2. If you suggest s'one's ahead of him you're saying 'I'm young!' Study your Cos!
A comic's 1st job is to make you laugh but the Black comics' potential to make you think is important historically. Some Black comics said important social things the rest of us couldn't/wouldn't. The Black comedic potential for social impact is large. To be a Black comic and not say thought-provoking things is to leave some of your social or intellectual potential at the door.
[Comedy Central had that top four in its top ten of all-time standups, with Rock and Cosby flipped in position, and Martin Lawrence ahead of the latter two.]
