After more than two decades on television, Nick Cannon is taking Wild ‘N Out back on the road.
Cannon recently announced the return of the Wild ‘N Out Live: The Next Generation tour, a 20-city run across North America this fall.
The tour kicks off Nov. 10 in Oakland, California. It will make stops in cities including Inglewood, Las Vegas, San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Birmingham, Miami, Tampa, Atlanta, Charlotte, Atlantic City, Hartford, Newark, Baltimore, Toronto, Detroit and Indianapolis before wrapping up Dec. 17 in Chicago.
This is not the first time Wild ‘N Out has gone on the road. Cannon said the tours started several years ago and the experience helped him see the franchise differently.
“We’re elevating the experience,” Cannon told AfroTech Culture. “We started touring probably like 2018. Before that, we were doing colleges, and then we stepped into this arena space, and the energy was so electric; it kind of elevated what the television show was.”
“So I was like, ‘That’s the new television show. That’s the new episode.'”
Wild ‘N Out has aired since 2005, blending improv comedy, hip-hop, celebrity guests and audience participation. The San Diego native said that combination translates naturally to an arena.
“It’s hip hop at the end of the day. Like hip hop is battling improv, just that energy, and that’s kind of what we’ve been rocking with,” Cannon said.
Cannon said the live show features performers who got their start on the franchise.
“And then to mix that, some of your favorite comedians who are on tour, [and] in arenas and stadiums started on Wild ‘N Out. Some of your favorite artists have been performing on Wild Out,” the Nickelodeon alum said.
“So when you hear the word Wild ‘N Out, it’s much more than just a concert experience. It’s this interactive, inclusive environment that feels like this crazy party,” he added.
Cannon said he also sees Wild ‘N Out expanding beyond television.
“I’m excited because we have so many expansions coming. Some stuff I can’t even share right now,” Cannon said.
He views Wild ‘N Out as a “brand for the culture and for the community.” He said the franchise has not offered some products and experiences to its audience and plans to fill those gaps.
“Everything from apparel to IP to video games to all the stuff that you can buy merch-wise at a concert spot, we’re delivering it all. So I’m excited [about] this new generation and these new partnerships that you’re gonna see Wild ‘N Out everywhere. You’re gonna see it in your convenience store. You’re gonna see it in your grocery store. You’re gonna see it at the mall. So Wild ‘N Out IP is coming for real,” Cannon said.
Cannon said the franchise has also been a launching point for talent.
“From the day that I started it, it was about giving my friends opportunities, and that was bringing comedians and rappers together and the people who can do both. And that propelled so many careers,” Cannon said.
Today, Cannon said he uses platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Facebook to find new talent, allowing performers to build an audience through the franchise.
“It really is the one place that democratizes entertainment,” he said. “You don’t have to have a giant following for us to help you build your following. If you got the skills and you got what it takes, this is your opportunity.”
Cannon said the franchise has evolved over the past two decades with new generations of talent, and that it’s the young people who bring the energy.
“We’re always looking for the next Wild ‘N Out superstar,” he said. “But it’s that energy that, whatever comedic frequency or rhythm that is going on, we find a person that can deliver that.”
Cannon said that evolution is part of what keeps him energized.
“It keeps me young. It keeps me vibrant,” he said. “It’s still like it’s a fever dream. It’s just like, man, this is something we created, and it’s something that’s still ongoing.”
