Kemah Bob: Bold Comedy, Identity & Empowerment on the Global Stage

When a user looks for Kemah Bob, a comedian, writer, performer and cultural commentator, you get an authentic, bold and colourful voice on the world stage.  Kemah Bob’s humour is not just funny; it represents emotions and empowerment, which makes her one of today’s most exciting comics.

Who Is Kemah Bob?

Raised in Houston, Texas, Kemah Bob (she/they) is a stand-up comedian, writer, and producer who has made a name for herself in the UK and beyond after moving to London. Kemah’s own experience in-depth social issues is the drive behind his insightful comedy that examines issues such as Blackness and their mental health, gender, and sexuality, among other themes.

Biography on Kemah Bob

A Snapshot:

• Origin: Houston, Texas, USA.
• Residence: London, UK.
• Profession: Comedian, writer, producer, performer, drag king.
• Pronouns: She/they.
• Signature Style: Fearless, empathetic, sharp, and socially engaged.

Rise to Prominence

Kemah moved to Los Angeles before coming to London, where the comedy scene is open to almost anything, and she can relate to the comedy in London. USA comedians, The Inbetweeners and Skins, helped to inspire the usage of British accents. The success of Imej helped to close the gap between America & UK.

Notable Career Highlights

• Stand-Up Shows: Kemah’s storytelling show “Miss Fortunate” has won critical acclaim, including being named one of The Guardian’s Top 10 Comedy Shows of 2024. The show, centred on resilience and recovery, enjoyed sellouts at London’s Soho Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe.
• Tour Support: She has supported big names such as Hannah Gadsby, Nish Kumar, Rami Youssef, Desiree Burch, and Jessica Fostekew.
• Podcasting and Hosting:
  • FOC IT UP Comedy Club (Femmes of Colour): a groundbreaking platform/podcast for women and gender non-conforming comedians of colour, hosted at Soho Theatre.
  • Icebergs podcast: an intimate, open-hearted series exploring self-discovery and mental health with guests like Nish Kumar, Sophie Duker, and James Acaster.
• Drag King Persona: Her alter ego, Lil Test Ease, a conservative rapper and men’s rights activist, challenges toxic masculinity and gender norms through blistering satire. Lil Test Ease has graced the West End and shows like ITV2’s “Celebrity Karaoke Club: Drag Edition” and the murder mystery “Death Drop”.

Television, Radio, and Voice Work

Kemah Bob’s presence goes far beyond live comedy. Her sharp wit and unique perspectives have made her a sought-after panellist and performer:

• TV Appearances: QI (BBC), Meet The Richardsons (Dave), Pointless Celebrities (BBC), CelebAbility (ITVX), Richard Osman’s House of Games, Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club (ITV), Guessable (Comedy Central), Mission Accessible (Channel 4), Apocalypse Wow!, and Stand-Up Sketch Show (ITV2).
• Acting Roles: Starred as Tessa in Steve Coogan’s “Chivalry” and appeared in Netflix’s “Death to 2020″/”2021”.
• Voiceover Work: Played Donna on James Acaster’s “Springleaf,” Ovu in “The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy” (Amazon Prime), Henrietta in “Deadendia” (Netflix), Barbo in “The Sunnyridge 3” (Disney+), Jelly in “Ozi: Voice of the Forest,” and Cash in BBC Radio 4’s “Napoleon Moon”.
• Radio & Podcasts: Regular guest and co-host on numerous platforms, notably “The Guilty Feminist,” “You’re Dead to Me,” and “Off Menu” with Ed Gamble & James Acaster.

Comedy with a Purpose

Tackling Big Topics

Kemah’s comedy is unflinching in its engagement with topics often considered taboo or difficult:

• Mental Health: Open about living with bipolar disorder, using her experience to foster conversations and break stigma, both on stage and in media interviews.
• Gender & Sexuality: Queer and pansexual, Kemah questions the gender binary and explores sexual identity with humorous honesty. She uses both she/her and they/them pronouns.
• Representation: Through FOC IT UP Comedy Club and other initiatives, she amplifies the voices of comedians from marginalised backgrounds, especially women and gender minorities of colour.

Engaging Comedy Style

Kemah’s voice is described as musically unique, blending American warmth with a British sensibility, barbed wit, and political insight. She can spin an entire set into a playful, yet pointed, meditation on something as innocuous as “salt,” using humour to disguise and deliver subtle social commentary.
Kemah Bob’s voice is distinctive, expressive, and rich with personality. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

Tone and Texture

• Deep and husky: Kemah has a naturally deep voice, often described as smoky or gravelly.
• Warm and resonant: There’s a fullness to her voice that feels grounded and powerful.
• Flexible with emotion: She can shift from relaxed and cool to sharp and intense, depending on the context, whether in comedy, conversation, or performance.
  

Delivery Style

• Conversational and confident: She speaks with ease and authority, often adding a playful or sarcastic edge.
  
• Expressive pacing: Kemah uses pauses, shifts in pitch, and pacing to emphasise jokes, punchlines, or emotional beats.
  
• American accent with Southern undertones: Raised in Texas, her accent carries subtle Southern flavours, though it’s mostly neutral American in performance.
  

Comedic Use

• Her voice plays a big role in her comedy; it helps deliver satire, wit, and social commentary with sharp impact. She can sound nurturing, biting, or cheeky, all in one set.

Media, Public Speaking, and Social Commentary

Kemah Bob is not just a performer; she’s a commentator on current issues, frequently contributing to media outlets and panels on diversity, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health. She’s featured in The Guardian, Pink News, Vice, the Royal Television Society, and has delivered a TEDx talk titled “What Would Kanye Do?”.

Awards and Recognition

• Guardian’s Top 10 Comedy Shows 2024 (“Miss Fortunate”)
• Funny Women Awards 2019: Finalist
• DIVA Awards 2021: Rising Star of the Year (Nominee)
• National Comedy Awards 2021 (Longlisted)
• Multiple successes in BBC New Comedy Award, Chortle, and 99 Club Bursary

FAQs About Kemah Bob

What pronouns does Kemah Bob use?

Kemah Bob uses both she/her and they/them pronouns. She identifies as a woman but openly discusses the wider spectrum of gender identity and prefers to keep some questions about her identity open.

What is the FOC IT UP Comedy Club?

The FOC IT UP Comedy Club (Femmes of Colour) is a live event and podcast created by Kemah, dedicated to showcasing women and gender-non-conforming comedians of colour. It serves as a safe, empowering, and innovative space within the comedy industry.

What is Kemah Bob’s comedy about?

Kemah’s comedy deals with Black cultural identity, mental health, gender, sexuality, and the importance of healing and resilience. She infuses tough topics with empathy and a relentless optimism, making serious subjects accessible and often hilarious.

What is Lil Test Ease?

Lil Test Ease is Kemah Bob’s drag king persona, a satirical, conservative rapper and men’s rights activist who lampoons toxic masculinity and gender politics. Lil Test Ease has appeared in celebrated panto and theatre productions, as well as on TV.

Where can you see Kemah Bob perform?

Kemah regularly performs at UK venues like Soho Theatre, appears at international festivals, and is frequently seen on TV shows like QI and panel shows. Her stand-up is also available via the FOC IT UP Podcast and her personal podcast, Icebergs.

Has Kemah Bob won any awards?

Yes. She is a finalist and nominee for several top awards:

• Finalist at the Funny Women Awards 2019.
• Nominee for DIVA Awards Rising Star 2021.
• Long-listed for National Comedy Awards and other bursary prizes.

What are some unique aspects of Kemah’s comedy style?

Kemah stands out for her blend of bold social commentary, personal storytelling, and willingness to tackle “taboo” subjects through sharp wit and empathy. Her performances are both disarmingly honest and joyfully funny.