'Hood Adjacent' star James Davis brings South Central-inspired stand-up to Mall of America

James Davis doesn't pretend to have the answers to all of America's racial problems, but there are moments in his new series "Hood Adjacent" when you think he just might.

The series, which premiered last month on Comedy Central, takes viewers on a tour of black America, specifically South Central Los Angeles, shining a light on cultural influences that have nothing to do with gangs.

The 33-year-old comic is also an up-and-coming stand-up, one who honed his writing skills on BET Awards shows and "The Late, Late Show With James Corden," with sharp man-on-the-street interviews and outrageous music videos. Davis, who will perform this weekend at Rick Bronson's House of Comedy in the Mall of America, talked by phone last week on a wide range of subjects, from his artistic obligations to the Minnesota fans he's most eager to impress.

Q: You're doing a comedy show, but I get the impression that your ambitions go beyond just trying to make people laugh.

A: Yeah, definitely. The depiction of South Central has become more legend and less fact-based. We tell stories about rioting and car chases and every time we tell them, they get a little more fantastical. It's not a new story. In the show, we do a piece on Trap Kitchen, a local catering company, and I was happy to show that. It's about redemption, not Rodney King. There's this new series called "Snowfall" [John Singleton's new FX series about L.A.'s 1980s crack epidemic]. I'm the first to say it looks dope, but I've read articles and commentaries. From what I can tell, that's not going to be new to me. In my show, we have a discussion about chitlins. That's new to me.

Q: So you're willing to sacrifice a laugh or two to make a point?

A: The laugh is the most important thing. I never wanted to be a teacher or a preacher. I don't want the audience ever thinking that they're listening to Don Lemon or Anderson Cooper. But early in my career I was just telling jokes. I wouldn't think about using them to send a message. But now, after studying comedians like Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, I know how to talk about the society around me.

Q: But that's a lot of pressure. Hannibal Buress may have gotten the country to start talking about Bill Cosby, but then it seemed like he tried to distance himself from it.

A: Hannibal has reached a level of success where he probably hit more stages during the last campaign than Hillary Clinton did. And people listen to him after the show and pick up on his material on their cellphones. That's power. I'm aware of it and I keep that in mind when I make decisions about jokes. I have to make sure people are laughing when I want them to laugh. I was an artist growing up, so I'm very detail-oriented. When you draw, everything has a purpose. It's hard for me to be loose.

Q: In the first episode, you talk about who can and can't use the "N" word. What's your take on the fallout after Bill Maher used the word on his show?

A: I feel like the situation was positive for our country. Bill Maher is respected and loved by a lot of black people, but the community didn't have one response to him. That shows that we still don't have a conclusive, agreed position as a nation on that word.

Q: What did you learn from your time working for James Corden?

A: That experience was a defining moment. I wouldn't have this show without it. I learned you may have a great idea, but it may not translate to the people you work for. That inspired me to have my own show. During this whole process, everyone knew it was going to be James Davis' perspective and everyone is working to serve that.

Q: Have you performed in the Twin Cities before?

A: Yeah, I was there a few years ago. Is there still a Hooters in the Mall? I remember some of the people that work there clocking out and coming over to see the show. I'm excited about coming back and showing those folks how I've grown and how my act has changed. You know, we can leave all this stuff about Hooters out. I just got too comfortable with you.

Q: So, the "N" word and racial tension are OK to talk about, but not Hooters?

A: Hey, I'm just a good Christian young man.