Get to Know the Brains Behind Viral Adult Swim Smalls Character Lil Daddy
“Make content, even if you think it's weird or cringe, because you never know what's going to happen.”
Throughout the shifts and eras of being chronically online, animation not only always held a place in my heart but also became a staple in pop culture. Whether you loved the comedic social satire of The Boondocks or the phenomenon of SpongeBob SquarePants, animation has grown to become a space of joy.
Still, it also leaves you with memories and new avenues of storytelling. For Zae Jordan, he always knew animation, art and comedy were the big three for him, leading him to co-create, write and act in the universe of Spooky Dreams, Camp Bucktooth, Buster & TJ, and the viral character Lil Daddy.
With help from the minds of his Atlanta native collaborators, his cousin Javier Williams (co-creator, voice actor and writer) and Tevin “Mandal” Williams (comedian, writer and actor), they’ve been able to create a universe that highlights the funny and colorful Black experience through each character, which made viewers and fans curious for more.
“Buster & TJ sparked Lil Daddy, because Xavier’s a genius,” Williams said. “He had the idea to get Mandal, who is also a comedic genius, and we just needed him to come and add his flavor onto it, and he killed it.”
The style of animation is infused with relevant conversation and authentic comedy. “I've always been a fan of realistic dialogue in cartoons, so we just made sure we go by the script for a moment, and then we'll improv a lot, so that's what we did with Buster & TJ, especially with the podcast [episode],” Jordan said.
The podcast episode of Buster & TJ was a turning point for the creatives, as the episode skyrocketed the Adult Swim Smalls brand and introduced us to Lil Daddy, played by Mandal. “The podcast [episode] had no script because I didn’t want it to have a script, I wanted to make fun of podcasts,” Jordan said. “I had Mandal, who’s been in a few other cartoons, even Spooky Dreams, come in and I knew his character would be really funny.”
The short brought us into a satirical world that brought so many chronically online conversations to life, bringing us memorable quotes like “man eat steak, pork, chitlin…woman eat salad,” and poking fun at how people make those podcast topics do or die, making it a refreshing experience for new viewers. “In the moment I was pretending to be a caveman [laughs] and I didn’t think people would attach that phrase to the manosphere, but I’m glad people found it funny in that way,” Mandal said. “I thought it was funny, but I didn't think it was gonna do what it did, [Zae] put the clip out on Twitter, and then it kind of blew up.”
The momentum has continued to grow through social media, with people asking for more episodes and a full-length series highlighting the power of community and the digital space to amplify your art. “I knew that was going to jump off, because it's something that was very relevant,” Jordan said.
For Williams, bringing Lil Daddy to life was just him allowing his humor to be limitless. He always knew he had a knack for comedy, giving him the confidence and freedom to play with each character portrayal, bringing light into Lil Daddy, and he credits Jordan for knowing the ins and outs of what gets the internet engaged. “Zae knows what's hot and what people like at that moment, so it made me learn more about what is happening,” Mandal said. “Lil Daddy was the first time that I was a part of something where ‘oh this is beyond me.’”
Since their viral hit, they’ve continued to capitalize and breathe life into Lil Daddy through putting him through many timely conversations and scenarios from Pop the Balloon to TSA security, adding a layered (and very Atlanta) vibe into the universe.
“I'm all about story and making people want to enjoy that character, the whole point has been to make Lil Daddy have somewhat good intentions, but it’s still all wrong [laughs],” Jordan said. “He doesn't hate women at all, he's just more of a repellent to women, and I think he just has a lack of knowledge like a person that's just been out of touch, we're making fun of that, and also giving him a story I haven't seen in animated cartoons.”
Through social media, helping to draw more attention to the story, there’s a sense of optimism not only for what’s next for Lil Daddy but also for how creatives can invest in their ideas and build community. “I feel like I am funnier when I have someone to bounce off of, so have that aspect of community, and find people who are on the same track as you,” Williams said. “Make content, even if you think it's weird or cringe, because you never know what's going to happen.”