Jensen Karp
{{short description|American rapper}}
{{Redirect|Hot Karl}}
{{Lead too short|date=January 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
Jensen-Gerard Karp is an American producer, writer, actor, podcaster, gallerist, and former rapper. Previously known by his stage name Hot Karl, he signed a record deal with Interscope in his early 20s{{cite news| last =Leeds| first =Jeff| title =No Rap on Eminem: He Gets His Shot, His Opportunity, and Doesn't Let It Slip: Record labels trying to duplicate Eminem's cross-racial success are finding it difficult to make a connection with rap audiences| page =A1| newspaper =Los Angeles Times| date =November 11, 2002 |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-11-fi-whiterap11-story.html |accessdate=March 28, 2021 }} and has gone on to produce and write for television and radio.
Career
= Music =
Karp was raised in Calabasas, California.{{Cite web|date=August 10, 2005|title=Hot Karl: Honesty Is The Best Policy|url=https://www.ballerstatus.com/2005/08/10/hot-karl-honesty-is-the-best-policy/|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=Ballerstatus.com|language=en-US}} After a brief stint in hip-hop at 11 years old signed for management to Ice-T's Rhyme Syndicate, Karp entered the Roll Call freestyle competition on Los Angeles radio station Power 106, during his time at USC,{{Cite web|last=Wright|first=Abbe|date=September 16, 2017|title=A Conversation with Jensen Karp|url=https://www.readitforward.com/author-interview/jensen-karp/|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=Read It Forward|language=en-US}} where he lasted a record 45 days on air to become the show's all-time champion.{{cite magazine| last =Stirling| first =Stephen| title =Hot Karl: The Great Escape| magazine =PopMatters| date =January 9, 2006| url =http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/h/hotkarl-great.shtml| access-date =June 25, 2008 }} Karp created a demo exhibiting his satirical style and tightly wound rhymes. He eventually signed with Interscope Records for what he said was a million dollars,{{cite news|url=http://ew.com/article/2016/06/21/kanye-west-owes-me-300-jensen-karp/|title='Kanye West Owes Me $300' author Jensen Karp remembers his 'ridiculous' rap career |first=Dana |last=Getz |date=June 21, 2016 |access-date=January 13, 2018}} where he recorded what was to be his debut album, Your Housekeeper Hates You, which included guest appearances by Redman, Kanye West, will.i.am, DJ Quik, Fabolous, Mýa, Sugar Ray, DJ Clue, and MC Serch. However, Interscope informed Karl that his album could not be commercially released due to scheduling conflicts and he decided to leave Interscope. Jensen released his memoir, Kanye West Owes Me $300 (and other true stories from a white rapper who ALMOST made it big), detailing the entire experience in June 2016 with Crown Books.{{cite web|url=http://www.highsnobiety.com/2016/06/07/kanye-west-book-jensen-karp/|title=Jensen Karp Releases Book on Kanye West's Life Before Fame|last=Banks|first= Alec |date=June 8, 2016|publisher=Highsnobiety|access-date=January 13, 2018}}
In 2013, Karp recorded his first song in 10 years for his favorite basketball team, the Los Angeles Clippers, at the request of DJ Dense, the team's in-arena DJ.{{cite web|url=http://jensenkarp.tumblr.com/post/68076624300/to-tell-the-story-of-hot-karl-would-probably-take|title=Jensen Karp (Hot Karl) – Where You At? (Clipper Song)|publisher=Tumblr|website=Trust Your Child| author=Karp, Jensen |access-date=January 13, 2018}}
In 2016, Karp recorded a song titled "Like Riding a Bike", featuring Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park, which is available on SoundCloud.{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/jensenkarp/like-riding-a-bike-feat-mike-shinoda-hot-karl-intuition-abnormal|title=Like Riding A Bike (feat. Mike Shinoda, Hot Karl, Intuition, Abnormal)|publisher=SoundCloud|access-date=January 13, 2018}}
= Radio =
In October 2018, Karp joined the cast of the Kevin and Bean morning show, hosted by Kevin Ryder and Gene "Bean" Baxter on alternative rock station KROQ 106.7 FM in Los Angeles.{{Cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171112/jensen-karp-joins-kevin-bean-show/|title=Jensen Karp Joins Kevin & Bean Show|date=October 12, 2018|last=Venta |first=Lance |work=RadioInsight |access-date=June 30, 2020}} He had a regular segment called "Get Up on This", based on his podcast.{{Cite web|date=March 11, 2020|title=Get Up On This with Jensen Karp: The Platform / Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness / The Most Dangerous Animal of All|url=https://kroq.radio.com/blogs/kevin-in-the-morning-with-allie-jensen/get-up-on-this-the-platform-tiger-king-dangerous-animal|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=The World Famous KROQ|language=en}} On March 18, 2020, it was announced that the entire morning crew had been let go by KROQ, over the phone at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=KROQ's Kevin Ryder Says Entire Morning Show Team Was Fired {{!}} Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kroqs-kevin-ryder-says-entire-morning-show-team-was-fired-1285185|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=March 18, 2020 }} It was reported that the station lost half its audience in the 2 weeks after letting them go as office and car listening fell rapidly across America as the pandemic emerged.{{Cite web|date=April 15, 2020|title=March 2020 (2/27 – 3/25) Nielsen Audio PPM Ratings Day 1: And Then COVID Happened|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186171/march-2020-2-27-3-25-nielsen-audio-ppm-ratings-day-1-and-then-covid-happened/|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}
= Television =
Karp was a writer for WWE Raw for seven months during 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/194534/Former-WWE-Creative-Team-Members-Discuss-MITB,-Triple-H-&-Vince,-More.htm|title=Former WWE Creative Team Members Discuss MITB, Triple H & Vince, More |website=411MANIA| date=July 19, 2011|access-date=January 13, 2018}}
He also appeared on Season 1 of VH1's Barely Famous playing Erin Foster's boyfriend{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4211888/|title=Barely Famous|date=March 18, 2015|publisher=IMDb|access-date=January 13, 2018}} and was seen numerous times on the final season of Candidly Nicole.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3731178/fullcredits|title=Candidly Nicole (TV Series 2014– )|publisher=IMDb|access-date=January 13, 2018}} Karp also appeared on Comedy Central's @midnight.{{cite web|url=http://www.cc.com/episodes/3lg1k7/-midnight-with-chris-hardwick-tuesday--june-28--2016-season-3-ep-03126|title=@midnight with Chris Hardwick – Tuesday, June 28, 2016|website=Comedy Central|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=January 13, 2018|archive-date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827092539/http://www.cc.com/episodes/3lg1k7/-midnight-with-chris-hardwick-tuesday--june-28--2016-season-3-ep-03126|url-status=dead}}
{{cns|date=March 2021|Karp wrote a sketch on The Late Late Show with James Corden called Drop the Mic, where Corden goes head to head battle rapping a different celebrity each installment. After Late Late Show installments with Anne Hathaway, Kevin Hart, David Schwimmer, and Usain Bolt, TBS bought the concept,}} which aired 31 episodes starting in 2017. Karp was credited as an executive producer for 7 episodes.{{Citation|title=Drop the Mic (TV Series 2017– ) |website=IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6396094/episodes?year=2018|access-date=September 7, 2020}}
Karp has written for Sacha Baron Cohen's Who Is America?{{Cite web|title=Jensen Karp|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4301416/|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=IMDb}} The Grammys, The ESPYs,{{Cite web|last=Berkowitz|first=Joe|date=June 20, 2016|title=How A Former Rapper Turned Comedy Writer Merged His Two Careers|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3060982/how-a-former-rapper-turned-comedy-writer-merged-his-two-careers|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=Fast Company|language=en-US}} The MTV Movie Awards,{{Cite web|title=Behind the MTV Movie Awards' outlandish 'Leo got f--ed by a bear'|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/04/11/mtv-movie-awards-2016-leo-bear-song/|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=EW.com|language=EN}} The Masked Singer, and the NFL on Fox.{{Cite web|title='Hamilton' Parody Tackles Tom Brady's Sub|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/09/13/fox-sports-hamilton-rob-riggle-garoppolo/|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=EW.com|language=EN}}
= Art =
Karp co-owns and operates Gallery 1988, two pop art focused galleries in Los Angeles, California both located on Melrose Avenue.{{cite web | url=http://nineteeneightyeight.com/pages/about-us | title=About Us – Gallery 1988 | access-date=June 11, 2015 | website=Gallery 1988}}{{cite web | url=http://www.serialoptimist.com/interviews/jensen-karp-gallery-1988-10235.html | title=Jensen Karp & Gallery 1988 | publisher=Serial Optimist | work=SO Magazine | date=September 26, 2012 | access-date=January 13, 2018 | author=Thomasian, Deborah}} He co-wrote the book Just Can't Get Enough for Abrams Books with Matthew Robinson. Gallery 1988 is well known for its Kevin Smith hosted annual show, Crazy 4 Cult, where 100 artists reinterpret classic cult movies in their own style. At one time, Karp was also the brand manager and designer for Pete Wentz's Clandestine Industries. His marketing company, Tyson/Givens Design & Marketing created the LOST Underground Art Project{{cite web | url=http://www.slashfilm.com/gallery1988-art-awakens-star-wars-art-show/ | title=Cool Stuff: The LOST Underground Art Project | work=/Film | date= December 17, 2009 | access-date=January 13, 2018 | author=Sciretta, Peter}} for the show's final season and worked with the TV show Breaking Bad.{{cite web |url=http://damoncarltonandapolarbear.com/dcpb/ |title=Tyson Givens t-shirts, Tyson Givens merchandise, Tyson Givens hoodies |publisher=DamonCarltonAndAPolarBear |access-date=March 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628194924/http://damoncarltonandapolarbear.com/xrx/body.php?module=store&id=172 |archive-date=June 28, 2010 }} The gallery has also hosted exhibits for movies including The Avengers,{{cite web | url=http://marvel.com/news/movies/18681/marvels_the_avengers_featured_at_gallery1988 | title=Marvel's The Avengers featured at Gallery1988 | publisher=The Walt Disney Company | work=Marvel Entertainment | date=June 14, 2012 | access-date=January 13, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127153832/http://marvel.com/news/movies/18681/marvels_the_avengers_featured_at_gallery1988| archive-date=January 27, 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web | url=http://collider.com/the-avengers-art-show-gallery-1988/ | title=Gallery1988 to Host Art Show Inspired by The Avengers | work=Collider | date=April 23, 2012 | access-date=January 13, 2018 | author=Chitwood, Adam}} Rick and Morty and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.{{cite web | url=http://www.slashfilm.com/gallery1988-art-awakens-star-wars-art-show/ | title=Cool Stuff: Gallery1988's Art Awakens Star Wars Art Show | work=/Film | date=November 2, 2015 | access-date=January 13, 2018 | author=Sciretta, Peter}}
= Podcasts =
On July 1, 2020, Karp and his wife, Danielle Fishel, started a new podcast called Talk Ain't Cheap,{{Cite web|last=Karp|first=Jensen Karp & Danielle Fishel|title=Talk Ain't Cheap|url=https://talkaintcheap.fireside.fm/|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=Talk Ain't Cheap}} where they analyze and dissect the Cameo accounts of celebrities. They also launched a Patreon{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2020|title=10 Things Fans Will Love About The Karps Network With Danielle Fishel And Jensen Karp|url=https://screenrant.com/things-fans-love-the-karps-network-with-danielle-fishel-jensen-karp/|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}} account that grants early access to the show, as well as other podcasts and an interactive Instagram game show called Scorantine. The podcast has drawn criticism as the idea was stolen from the Canadian podcast Blocked Party. The show was originally called Word Up! which is a direct copy of Blocked Party
Personal life
On July 4, 2017, towards the end of episode #303 of his podcast Get Up On This, he announced that he was dating actress Danielle Fishel. The two attended high school together but only began a romantic relationship after reconnecting as adults.{{cite web|last=Borresen|first=Kelsey|title=Danielle Fishel Of 'Boy Meets World' Marries Jensen Karp|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/danielle-fishel-topanga-wedding_n_5be0cda9e4b04367a87fa235|date=November 5, 2018|work=HuffPost}} On March 22, 2018, Fishel and Karp got engaged.{{cite news|title=Danielle Fishel Engaged to Drop the Mic Producer Jensen Karp |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/922596/danielle-fishel-engaged-to-drop-the-mic-producer-jensen-karp|access-date=April 11, 2018}} They married on November 4, 2018.{{cite web |last1=Fishel Karp |first1=Danielle |title=Mr. & Mrs. Karp. Established 11/04/2018. 📸: @jillianbob 💁🏼♀️: @_hairbylaurie 💄: @julie4makeup Coordinator: @union3events @lisagaskarth..." |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BpypI_5F65V/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BpypI_5F65V |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration|website=Instagram |access-date=December 12, 2019 |date=November 5, 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |first=Natalya|last=Jaime |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/danielle-fishel-married-jensen-karp-1158434 |title=Danielle Fishel Marries Writer-Producer Jensen Karp |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 5, 2018 |access-date=November 12, 2019}} Fishel announced in January 2019 that she and Karp were expecting their first child in July 2019.{{Cite tweet|number=1080505104233451521|title=I'm eating for 2. I'm napping w/ wild abandon. Baby shoes. Baby clothes. I'm shopping. I'm nesting. I'm madly in love w/ my husband. I cry at commercials. I'm a walking cliché. I'm confident. I feel inadequate. I'm nervous. I'm excited. He's due in July. We can't wait. #BabyKarp pic.twitter.com/w4qHs4DGbj|last=Fishel Karp|first=Danielle|date=January 2, 2019|user=@daniellefishel|access-date=January 2, 2019}} After the couple got married in 2018, the couple started a family with the birth of their son Adler Lawrence Karp on June 24, 2019, a month early. Their son spent three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit. There was fluid that was found in Adler's lungs that had not been present prior to that. Over two years later, Fishel and Karp celebrated the arrival of their second son, Keaton Joseph Karp on August 29, 2021{{cite web |title=Danielle Fishel's 2 Kids: All About Sons Adler and Keaton |url=https://people.com/all-about-danielle-fishel-kids-7502153 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}
In popular culture
Karp appeared on The Howard Stern Show in 2011 to talk about his time in the rap industry and perform The Roll Call with Howard & Lisa G. He also acted as the Creative Director at comedy YouTube Channel, Jash, where he produced and wrote on projects like The ArScheerio Paul Show and the Chance the Rapper music video for "Na Na.".{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1317852/chance-the-rapper-nana-video-dir-hannibal-buress/video/|title=Chance The Rapper – "NaNa" Video (Dir. Hannibal Buress)|date=April 10, 2013|access-date=January 13, 2018}} He has written for Rolling Stone,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/paul-heyman-on-brock-lesnar-wrestlemania-and-his-arsenal-of-bs-20150327|title=Paul Heyman's WWE Secret? A 'Perfected Arsenal of Bullsh--'|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=January 13, 2018}} the ESPYs, the MTV Movie and Video Awards, The Late Late Show with James Corden,{{cite web | url=http://frank151.com/jensen-karp-defines-failure/ | title=Jensen Karp Defines His Failure | publisher=FRANK151 | access-date=January 13, 2018 | author=Ducker, Eric | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205013322/http://frank151.com/jensen-karp-defines-failure/ | archive-date=February 5, 2017 | url-status=dead }} and Funny or Die.{{cite web|url=http://www.funnyordie.com/topic/jensen-karp|title=Jensen Karp Videos, Articles, Pictures|website=Funny Or Die|access-date=January 13, 2018|archive-date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827084152/http://www.funnyordie.com/topic/jensen-karp|url-status=dead}}
Cinnamon Toast Crunch incident
On March 22, 2021, Karp tweeted a photograph of apparent discarded shrimp tails he claimed to have found in a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch he purchased, despite the facility not producing a single product containing shrimp.{{Cite web|last=Karp|first=Jensen|date=March 22, 2021|title=Ummmm @CTCSquares – why are there shrimp tails in my cereal? (This is not a bit)|url=https://twitter.com/JensenKarp/status/1374051365417230336|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322173247/https://twitter.com/JensenKarp/status/1374051365417230336|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 22, 2021|website=Twitter}} Additionally, Karp said he found a piece of string,{{Cite web|last=Karp|first=Jensen|date=March 22, 2021|title=I was convinced to go back through the bag, since when I first noticed the shrimp tails, I freaked out and closed the box. Here's all my findings, which also now includes a weird little string?|url=https://twitter.com/JensenKarp/status/1374132475375493122|website=Twitter}} "small black pieces" embedded into some pieces of the cereal, and an object that looked like a pea.{{Cite web|last=Karp|first=Jensen|date=March 22, 2021|title=For real – someone tell me they aren't like maggots or bugs. Is it shrimp adjacent? (also just found this weird cinnamon covered pea thing?) I wish this was a joke.|url=https://twitter.com/JensenKarp/status/1374133946552754176|website=Twitter}} The tweet about the alleged incident went viral, bringing safety concerns in General Mills' manufacturing process into question.{{Cite web|last=D'Zurilla|first=Christie|date=March 23, 2021|title=Jensen Karp didn't plan for the shrimp tails in his Cinnamon Toast Crunch to go viral|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-03-23/cinnamon-toast-crunch-guy-shrimp-tails-costco-general-mills|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}{{cite news |last1=Marcus |first1=Ezra |title=Man Says He Found Shrimp Tails in Cinnamon Toast Crunch Box |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/style/cinnamon-toast-crunch-shrimp.html |website=The New York Times |date=March 23, 2021 |access-date=March 24, 2021}} General Mills later issued a statement on Twitter claiming the tails were "an accumulation of the cinnamon sugar that sometimes can occur when ingredients aren't thoroughly blended". A company representative claimed “that there’s no possibility of cross contamination with shrimp."{{Cite news|last=Marcus|first=Ezra|date=March 23, 2021|title=The Curious Case of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Box|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/style/cinnamon-toast-crunch-shrimp.html|access-date=March 24, 2021}} On March 23, General Mills claimed the company was investigating the case, but that contamination "did not occur at [their] facility."{{Cite web|last=Official Cinnamon Toast Crunch Twitter Account|date=March 23, 2021|title=Cinnamon Toast Crunch Statement|url=https://twitter.com/CTCSquares/status/1374408643848798212|website=Twitter}} Karp's presence on Twitter ceased at the time of this incident, alongside concurrent accusations of emotional abuse and gaslighting by former romantic partners.{{Cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Andi|date=March 25, 2021| title= Cinnamon Toast Crunch Guy Jensen Karp Goes Silent After Emotional Abuse Accusations|url=https://www.thewrap.com/cinnamon-toast-crunch-guy-jensen-karp-abuse-allegations/}}{{Cite web|last=Jennings|first=Rebecca|date=March 25, 2021| title= A guy (maybe) found shrimp in his cereal. Then it got dark.|url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22350677/cinnamon-toast-crunch-shrimp-tail-milkshake-duck-jensen-karp-topanga/}} His last tweet was posted on 24 March 2021.{{Cite web|last=Karp|first=Jensen|date=March 24, 2021|title=No real update and I'm not posting about this bullshit all day again. Waiting for the envelope I agreed on from General Mills to send them back pieces and some of a shrimp tail will leave home for DNA testing at Noon. They grow up so fast.|url=https://twitter.com/JensenKarp/status/1374764204599635968|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324164511/https://twitter.com/JensenKarp/status/1374764204599635968|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 24, 2021|website=Twitter}}
Bibliography
- Just Can't Get Enough (2007) Co-written with Matthew Robinson
- Kanye West Owes Me $300: And Other True Stories from a White Rapper Who Almost Made It Big (2016)
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|1=http://www.jensenkarp.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|4301416}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Karp, Jensen}}
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:21st-century American male musicians
Category:American male singers
Category:American film and television podcasters