Career Timeline of Ali Siddiq: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Ali Siddiq built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Ali Siddiq is a stand-up comedian, writer, and former radio personality from Houston, Texas. He released his debut comedy album in 2010 and his first hour-long TV special in 2018. Siddiq gained recognition by winning Comedy Central's Up Next competition in 2013 and being a finalist on NBC's 'Bring the Funny' in 2019. From 2021 to 2024, he co-hosted the 'Uncle Funky Larry Jones & Ali Siddiq' radio show on KMJQ.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

December 1997: First Stand-up Performance

In December 1997, Ali Siddiq first performed stand-up at the Just Joking comedy club in Houston during an open mic night.

February 1998: Co-hosting at Comedy Club

In February 1998, Ali Siddiq was hired to be the co-host of the show at the Just Joking comedy club.

1999: Decision to Pursue Comedy

After his first taping of ComicView in 1999, Ali Siddiq decided to make stand-up comedy his career.

2000: ComicView Appearances

From 2000, Ali Siddiq performed on BET's ComicView on a number of episodes.

2000: Local Venue Performances

In 2000, Ali Siddiq performed at local venues including The Secret Group comedy club, Red Cat jazz club, Cardi's 2000 rock club, and The Horn.

2003: ComicView Appearances

Until 2003, Ali Siddiq performed on BET's ComicView on a number of episodes.

March 8, 2008: Def Comedy Jam Performance

On March 8, 2008, Ali Siddiq performed on the series finale of HBO's Def Comedy Jam, the 10th episode of the eighth season.

May 13, 2009: ComicView: One Mic Stand Appearance

On May 13, 2009, Ali Siddiq appeared on ComicView: One Mic Stand.

2009: Hosting Jive Turkeys Comedy Show

Since 2009 Ali Siddiq has hosted the annual Jive Turkeys Comedy Show to raise money for the Houston Food Bank. The show is performed each November close to Thanksgiving.

2010: Debut Comedy Album

In 2010, Ali Siddiq debuted his comedy album.

2010: Release of Talking Loud Saying Something

In 2010, Ali Siddiq independently released his debut comedy album Talking Loud Saying Something, first as a digital album on May 22, before releasing it on CD in December.

February 12, 2012: The Comedy Time Show Appearance

On February 12, 2012, Ali Siddiq performed on The Comedy Time Show on its fifth episode on MavTV.

February 22, 2013: Hosting Ladies Night Out Tour

On February 22, 2013, Ali Siddiq hosted and performed as the opening act on Bill Bellamy's Ladies Night Out Tour television special, which aired on Showtime.

November 18, 2013: Winning Comedy Central's Up Next Competition

On November 18, 2013, Ali Siddiq was voted the winner of Comedy Central's inaugural Up Next stand-up comedy competition.

2013: Comedy Central's Up Next Competition Win

In 2013, Ali Siddiq was the winner of Comedy Central's inaugural Up Next competition.

March 15, 2014: Centric Comedy All-Stars Performance

On March 15, 2014, Ali Siddiq performed as the opening act on the second and final annual Centric Comedy All-Stars, which aired on Centric.

2014: Unreleased Albums

According to interviews in 2014, Ali Siddiq stated he had recorded seven albums, the first of which was titled Necessary Therapy, but was not satisfied enough with any of them to release them.

2014: Funky Larry Jones Radio Show Air Time

In 2014, Funky Larry Jones Radio Show was created before the show concluded on January 26, 2024.

2015: This Is Not Happening Appearance

In 2015, Ali Siddiq performed on the Comedy Central television series This Is Not Happening on the second episode of the first season which aired on January 26.

2016: Half-Hour Television Special

In 2016, Ali Siddiq debuted his half-hour television special.

2016: Comedy Central Special and @midnight Appearance

In 2016, Ali Siddiq performed a half-hour special on Comedy Central series The Half Hour on the seventh episode of the fifth season which aired on September 16, and competed on panel game show @midnight with Chris Hardwick which aired on December 8.

2017: Benefit for Hurricane Harvey Victims

In 2017 Ali Siddiq organized and performed at a benefit for Houstonians affected by Hurricane Harvey.

2017: Production of It's Bigger Than These Bars

In 2017, Ali Siddiq began production on his hour-long special It's Bigger Than These Bars, which was filmed at the Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas.

February 23, 2018: Release of It's Bigger Than These Bars

On February 23, 2018, Ali Siddiq's hour-long special It's Bigger Than These Bars was released on Comedy Central, filmed at the Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas.

2018: Unreleased Albums

According to interviews in 2018, Ali Siddiq stated he had recorded nine albums, the first of which was titled Necessary Therapy, but was not satisfied enough with any of them to release them.

2018: Benefit Performance for Saba Homes

In 2018 Ali Siddiq also performed at an annual benefit held by Saba Homes, an orphanage organization created to help orphans of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake in Pakistan.

2018: Appearances on Desus & Mero and The Opposition with Jordan Klepper

In 2018, Ali Siddiq appeared on Desus & Mero which aired on February 21 on Viceland, and on The Opposition with Jordan Klepper which aired on February 22 on Comedy Central.

2018: Hour-Long TV Special

In 2018, Ali Siddiq debuted his hour-long TV special.

2019: Comedy Central series appearance, TV One guest appearance, Album Release and Film Appearance

In 2019, Ali Siddiq appeared on the Comedy Central series This Week at the Comedy Cellar which aired on August 2, and was a guest on TV One's late night talk show The DL Hughley Show which aired on September 5. He released his comedy album The Prison Manual on September 20. He was a finalist on NBC's comedy competition TV show Bring the Funny. Siddiq appeared in the feature film The Workout Room which released on October 8.

2019: Finalist on Bring the Funny

In 2019, Ali Siddiq was a finalist on NBC's competition TV show Bring the Funny.

January 17, 2020: Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks Headlining

On January 17, 2020, Ali Siddiq headlined the 11th episode of the second season of Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks which aired on TruTV.

January 2021: Co-hosting Radio Show

In January 2021, Ali Siddiq became the co-host of the R&B afternoon radio show Uncle Funky Larry Jones & Ali Siddiq on KMJQ (Majic 102.1) in Greater Houston.

January 2021: Joins Funky Larry Jones Radio Show

In January 2021, Ali Siddiq joined as co-host on the Funky Larry Jones afternoon drive show on KMJQ (Majic 102.1), with the program being renamed Uncle Funky Larry Jones & Ali Siddiq.

2022: Unprotected Sets, Pause with Sam Jay and Flatbush Misdemeanors Appearances

In 2022, Ali Siddiq performed an hour-long special on Epix series Unprotected Sets on the fourth episode of the third season which aired on February 25. He appeared on HBO series Pause with Sam Jay on the second episode of the third season which aired on June 3, and guest-starred on Showtime series Flatbush Misdemeanors on the second episode of the second season which aired on June 26.

July 2023: Recording of Two Comedy Albums

In a July 2023 interview, Ali Siddiq revealed he had recorded two comedy albums The Missing Piece and Dope Without Association for release.

January 2024: End of Radio Show

In January 2024, Ali Siddiq's time as co-host of the R&B afternoon radio show Uncle Funky Larry Jones & Ali Siddiq on KMJQ (Majic 102.1) in Greater Houston came to an end.

January 26, 2024: End of Radio Show Hosting

On January 26, 2024, Ali Siddiq's FM radio show on KMJQ (Majic 102.1) concluded after Jones was given notice a day in advance of its cancellation after being on the air since 2014.

2024: Domino Effect Specials and Emmy Shortlisting

In 2024, Ali Siddiq released his special Domino Effect 3 on Moment.co on March 10, before uploading it on YouTube on May 12. He released his special Domino Effect 4 on Moment.co on April 18, before uploading it on YouTube on June 16. Both specials were shortlisted for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) on June 24 but failed to be nominated. On July 9, Siddiq announced he would be recording his next two TV specials My Two Sons and I'm Not Handy on October 5 and 6, respectively.