Just Do It

Aries Spears

by Mark Maurer

Wed.-Thu., July 9-10, 8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., July 11-12, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; $15-$30, Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St., 215-496-9001, heliumcomedy.com

Aries Spears is an aficionado of the rap game. The comedian has studied its stars so intently he can do impressions of Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and DMX — having a conversation together. Although he's not thrilled with the rap industry's tendency to put style above substance, he still revels in the challenge of impersonating Jay-Z. "It's incredibly tough for so many different reasons," he says. Spears spent eight seasons as a cast member on MADtv, leaving in 2005 as one of the sketch show's longest-running stars. At the moment, Spears has been consumed with standup, but we caught up with him before he takes the stage at Helium.

City Paper: Have you ever used a well-known celebrity impersonation to your advantage?

Aries Spears: I do it to get laid. If a girl is in bed with me, she might not want to have sex with me, but she might want to have sex with Denzel Washington. It's like karate: You only use it when you absolutely have to.

CP: What's the key to perfecting an impression?

AS: It is a God-given gift. It's something you either have or you don't. But if you hone in on your voice and study mannerisms or quirks, you can try to make it better. I was fortunate enough to be touched by the man upstairs.

CP: What do you think of the current state of rap in this country?

AS: It depends on the region you're from. I'm from the East Coast, where it hasn't been as big, but for everybody else, it's been much more profitable. For them, it's about booze, bitches and cars. But I remember when they used to talk about the community and current affairs — in other words, lyrics.