Hasan Minhaj: Leaning On Expensive Cars And Getting Paid To Do It

by Emma Kat Richardson

Hasan Minhaj is a thoroughly modern man, and he’s just the type of dude to take great pains to let you know so. He’s also something of an ethnic comedy anomaly; not exactly a niche, genre-oriented comedian, per se, but his combined persona and onstage voice certainly make for an interesting juxtaposition of the best off-kilter and heartily robust comedic vices, springing from origins both from the Indian subcontinent and deep within the bellowing bravado of an American thrust into the spotlight with a microphone.

In his debut comedy album, the overly titled Leaning on Expensive Cars and Getting Paid to Do It (so long Subway could probably charge $5 for it), Minhaj spends much of the album eagerly aping his credibility with the members of Generation: Millennial. It’s a feat accomplished through a plethora of references to, in no particular order or ascending significance: Xbox, YouTube, Facebook (listen below), Kanye West, Zac Efron, Captain Planet, Slumdog Millionaire, Twilight and, well, I’d like to tell you more, but fear spoiling the fun to be had at the expense of social networking and viral media outlets.

Sandwiched in between heavily self-effacing skits are Minhaj’s jokes and frenetic comedic cadences; so madcap is his talent and delivery that it’s almost easy to mistake this first generation American for a curry-infused Dane Cook.

And happily, when Minhaj scores, he tends to win big – he’s in his element most assuredly during rants on present day curiosities, and even more so when waxing poetic (however harshly) on his Indian immigration roots. Leaning on Expensive Cars’ most impressive achievement, by far, is its uncanny positioning as the comedic jewel in a generational snapshot. Few comics have managed to capture the moment perhaps as accurately as Minhaj; found here is true time capsule material for the post-millennial archaeologists yet to begin digging.

To purchase the full download of the album, click the image below.