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- Katt Williams disparaged Kevin Hart during Shannon Sharpe's latest podcast episode.
- Williams' comments reignited his feud with Hart, who called Williams' behavior toward X “sad.”
- The comedians have exchanged jibes since 2014.
Comedians Katt Williams and Kevin Hart have reignited their long-running feud following Williams' controversial appearance on Shannon Sharpe's podcast.
The ongoing drama between the comedians took a new turn last week when Williams' interview on “Club Shay Shay” went viral. During the nearly three-hour episode, Williams wasted no time taking shots at many of his colleagues including Steve Harvey, Michael Blackson, Rickey Smiley and Cedric the Entertainer.
Williams also took aim at Hart by suggesting he was an industrialist who made false claims about the start of his career.
Over the years, the two have clashed with each other online and in interviews – take a look at their year-long feud.
August 2014: Williams attacks Hart while criticizing athletes like Shaquille O'Neal who engage in humor.
Katt Williams. Ethan Miller/Getty Images
One of the earliest examples of the feud between the two occurred in August 2014 when Williams spoke to TMZ Sports. When asked who he thought was the “funniest athlete,” Williams didn’t hold back.
“I think Shaq and Russell Simmons should get out of comedy and stay in their lane,” Williams said. “They don’t think we’re going to create a league of professional basketball players under 6 feet tall. So what qualifies these guys?”
Williams then called Shaquille O'Neal a “bum” and echoed Hart in his remarks.
“Get out of here, you bum, before I take the rest of your girls like you took Kevin Hart from me,” Williams said. “I want my bitch back.”
February 2016: Williams called Hart a “puppet” during a comedy tour stop in Atlanta.
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According to Vibe, Williams was on the road for his Conspiracy Theory tour in February 2016 when he mentioned Hart during a stop at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
“I've already proven that Kevin Hart, the best they have in comedy, shouldn't boo a black man who works hard, baby,” Williams said. “Even if this nigga is a puppet, it ain’t his fault. We don’t get angry.”
He added: “Just because I'm better than some black guys doesn't mean I'm better than no black guys. I say, if you want to be mad at Kermit The Frog, don't be mad at Kermit.” The Frog, be mad at Jim Henson. Don’t say “Fuck Donald Duck” when what you really mean is “Fuck Walt Disney.”
The outlet reported that Hart responded with a subtle response via Instagram. At the time, Hart shared a photo of him, Dave Chapelle and Chris Rock at the 2016 Academy Awards.
“Real professionals know how important it is to stick together and support each other. At the end of the day, we are comedians and there are not many who can reach the level we have achieved,” Hart wrote.
March 2016: Williams challenged Hart to a $5 million challenge before a tour stop in Philadelphia.
Kevin Hart. Cindy Ord/Getty
According to Vibe, Williams took another swipe at Hart in March 2016 before the Conspiracy Theory tour stop in Philadelphia – Hart's hometown.
“I saw your stuff on social media. I know what you do, but you do it for fun. If you really do it, then it’s here, Kevin,” Williams said in a video shared by HipHop DX. “I have a show in your hometown, in Philly; I will record my special there. “We can fit anything you want in this space: a full basketball court, a boxing ring, two microphones for a rap cipher, or you can get your ass dusted with comedy on this stage,” he added.
Williams added that the bet should be set at $5 million.
“Mr. $28 million in Forbes. I'll bring mine in cash, Mitch. Bring yours however you want. And since you’re not a puppet, you don’t bring white people,” Williams said.
March 2016: Williams publicly apologized to Hart during a radio interview.
During a March 2016 appearance on V-103 Atlanta's “The Big Tigger Show,” Williams apologized to Hart for comments he made during his comedy tour stop in Philadelphia.
“I should never have mentioned Kevin Hart’s name. “He’s the reigning king of comedy if you ask for popular consensus,” Williams said. “The fact that he is a black man like me, and the fact that I attacked him with such vitriol at a time when our country is already divided in every way.”
Williams told the host that it was “unfortunate” that he tried to “embarrass” Hart during his appearance.
“I humbly apologize not only to Kevin Hart, but also to Hartbeat Productions, the Plastic Cup Boyz and everyone associated with Kevin Hart. That was a mistake on my part,” he added.
September 2018: Williams criticized Tiffany Haddish, prompting Hart to blast Williams on “The Breakfast Club.”
The next big point in the Hart and Williams saga occurred in September 2018 with V-103's “Frank and Wanda In The Morning.” Williams criticized Tiffany Haddish during the interview by questioning her comedic abilities and whether she could draw the crowds for a major tour.
That same month, Hart defended Haddish during an appearance on “The Breakfast Club.” At the time, he and Haddish were promoting their film “Night School.”
“My frustration with Katt Williams comes from you constantly pointing at Hollywood, 'Hollywood and the white man, this, this and that,' when do you take responsibility for your actions? You had the chance! You were the right one!” said Hart.
Hart then suggested that studios stop working with Williams because of drug use.
“You were destined to be the star. You didn’t show up for work,” Hart said.
He added: “Have you ever used your platform to educate the people under you? You don't have that. So because you didn’t do it, don’t shit on those who are now.”
September 2021: Williams said a comedy face-off between him and Hart would be a “cheat.”
Kevin Hart. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty
According to Revolt, Williams told Baltimore radio host Persia Nicole in September 2021 that he would beat Hart in a comedy battle.
“For me it’s almost cheating. I have over 10 specials. “I don’t have to pick just two jokes from each special and I’ve already killed everyone whose last name isn’t Pryor,” Williams said. “We definitely don’t want to add 52 movies, we definitely don’t want to add 11 specials, we definitely don’t want to add 49 television appearances, we definitely don’t want to add an Emmy.”
Williams added: “It's almost a fight that we can't really engage in…It probably doesn't come together the way you imagine.”
January 2023: Williams insulted Hart on the latest episode of Shannon Sharpe's “Club Shay Shay” podcast.
Williams criticized several comedians on the January 3 episode of the podcast, including Hart, whom he considered industrialist.
“In fifteen years in Hollywood, no one in Hollywood can remember going to a sold-out Kevin Hart show, there was a line for him, [him] “I’ve never gotten a standing ovation in any comedy club,” Williams said.
“He already had his contracts when he got here. Have we heard of a comedian who came to LA and had his own sitcom on network television in his first year in LA? And he had his own movie called 'Soul Plane.'” He directed? No, we have never heard of this before or after this person,” he continued.
January 2023: Hart issues a direct response to Williams' allegations.
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Hart made a brief summary Reply to Xformerly known as Twitter, follows Williams' comments on Shannon Sharpe's podcast.
“I need to get this anger out, Champ…It's honestly sad.” Hart wrote on January 4th.
A day later, he appeared on ESPN's “NBA Unplugged” where he mocked Williams. At one point, Hart joked about the claims Williams made during the interview, including that he read 3,000 books a year between the ages of eight and 12.
“At the age of seven he was accepted … I think it was Delaware University,” Hart said. “Never announced publicly. Biggest secret in the world. The smartest kid that ever did it and they kept it a secret for 48 years,” Hart continued.