Rufat Agayev
Rufat Agayev's Bio
Rufat Agayev is a Brooklyn-based stand-up comedian, writer, and actor.
Born in Azerbaijan, he immigrated to the United States with his family in the early ’90s as a refugee of war. As a teenager, he fell in love with hip-hop and began rapping, eventually gaining traction on popular blogs while attending Florida State University. His music career led him to open for major artists including Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, and Mac Miller.
After moving to New York City to pursue rap more seriously, Rufat realized he couldn’t see himself growing old as a rapper and pivoted to stand-up. His friend, Kevin Barnett, a writer on Broad City, told him to hit the open mics. He quickly became a fixture in the NYC comedy scene with an act known for sharp writing, big act-outs, and clever observations about everyday absurdities. While he’s performed at New York’s best clubs, he’s especially known for bringing comedy into storefronts and record shops, drawing audiences who might not otherwise step into a club. Thanks for the advice Kevin!
His debut comedy special, The Bad Rufat! is Exectuive Produced by Joe Pera (800 Pound Gorilla Media), and Directed by his Best Friend/Creative Genius Shaliek Jenkins. The Bad Rufat! captures the magic of his unique journey, filmed in a former Yugoslavian mob bar turned Record Shop,. He’s a featured writer in the HarperCollins-published anthology Alien Nation, host of Joe Pera’s favorite NYC show, Scorpion Records Comedy Night, and has appeared on The Adam Friedland Show, Stavvy’s World, Subway Takes, Gaydar, MESS with Sydnee Washington and Marie Faustin, and has a taped set with Don’t Tell Comedy.
Born in Azerbaijan, he immigrated to the United States with his family in the early ’90s as a refugee of war. As a teenager, he fell in love with hip-hop and began rapping, eventually gaining traction on popular blogs while attending Florida State University. His music career led him to open for major artists including Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, and Mac Miller.
After moving to New York City to pursue rap more seriously, Rufat realized he couldn’t see himself growing old as a rapper and pivoted to stand-up. His friend, Kevin Barnett, a writer on Broad City, told him to hit the open mics. He quickly became a fixture in the NYC comedy scene with an act known for sharp writing, big act-outs, and clever observations about everyday absurdities. While he’s performed at New York’s best clubs, he’s especially known for bringing comedy into storefronts and record shops, drawing audiences who might not otherwise step into a club. Thanks for the advice Kevin!
His debut comedy special, The Bad Rufat! is Exectuive Produced by Joe Pera (800 Pound Gorilla Media), and Directed by his Best Friend/Creative Genius Shaliek Jenkins. The Bad Rufat! captures the magic of his unique journey, filmed in a former Yugoslavian mob bar turned Record Shop,. He’s a featured writer in the HarperCollins-published anthology Alien Nation, host of Joe Pera’s favorite NYC show, Scorpion Records Comedy Night, and has appeared on The Adam Friedland Show, Stavvy’s World, Subway Takes, Gaydar, MESS with Sydnee Washington and Marie Faustin, and has a taped set with Don’t Tell Comedy.