The sprawling Imperial Arts Studios in Downtown Los Angeles is the setting for the new MTV live music series, Wonderland. The first live-music show on MTV in 20 years, Wonderland has a fun festival/block party vibe. As a live multi-platform event, fans can even check out exclusive extended sets and follow the artists in real time on Facebook Live and MTV.com during and following their performances. MTV’s Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram will serve up behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage and on-the-ground coverage.

The show is hosted by a trio — fashionista Rachael “Steak” Finley, singer Melissa “Lizzo” Jefferson, and comedian Myke Wright. Each of them are artists/fans who bring their own unique background and flavor to the carnival-like atmosphere.

“There are three different stages which each have their own vibe,” Myke Wright describes, “There’s the courtyard which is the main stage, the bar is more laid back and the brothel stage is a really wild style. There’s also a festival area where you can just hang out and hit food trucks.”

Myke Wright is an up-and-coming stand-up comedian from Detroit who is making noise in the LA comedy scene, but his talents stretch far beyond comedy. Wright is also an artist, painter, musician and an avid consumer of all things music. He got the opportunity to be one of the hosts of Wonderland after being spotted doing stand-up in L.A.

Blavity talked to Myke about his career and what fans should expect from the 10-episode season of MTV’s Wonderland.

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Host/Comedian Myke Wright speaks onstage at MTV's "Wonderland" LIVE Show on September 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for MTV) — LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Host/Comedian Myke Wright speaks onstage at MTV’s ‘Wonderland’ LIVE Show on September 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for MTV)

Blavity: How did the opportunity come about?

Myke Wright: I do a lot of stand-up comedy and I do a lot of clubs out here, and pretty much anywhere that there is a microphone. MTV saw me doing stand-up at showcases, etc. They were really vocal about working for me. They also knew that I know a lot about music, so I went through to some meetings, shook some hands, kissed some babies and voila.

B: I love the block party theme. When they told you what the theme was gonna be, what kind of ideas popped in your head?

MW: I’m from the block, so a block party is my natural habitat. Navigating a party, that’s what I do. I’m like a fish in water. They turn up out here too. You can’t totally predict what’s gonna happen. There are so many kids that come out, and that have that Cali vibe to them, and they all show up ready to party.

B: What’s it been like meeting some of the artists that have been coming through?

MW: You know what, it’s kinda surreal. You listen to their music and see them on TV, and now you’re chilling with them backstage cracking jokes and playing Jenga. It’s really wild how fast everything can really happen. But, you also get to see that they are just people too. You see people tying their shoes or just doing simple stuff, and you’re just like, “Celebrities, they’re just like us!” (Laughs) It’s humbling to meet them and talk to them and hear about their creative process.

B: How does it feel to be part of MTV history?

MW: You know, we grew up watching TRL and MTV Spring Break. Those shows were pivotal to us as teenagers, just trying to figure out what was cool. And to kinda be a part of that again, for like, the new generation is very special. To be a tastemaker like that for American culture and to be broadcast all over the world is so cool. To know that there’s probably some kid in Bangladesh saying, “What up doe?” it’s an amazing thing, really.

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Host/Comedian Myke Wright speaks onstage at MTV's "Wonderland" LIVE Show on September 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for MTV) — LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Host/Comedian Myke Wright speaks onstage at MTV’s “Wonderland” LIVE Show on September 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for MTV)

Wonderland airs on Thursday nights at 11 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT on MTV.

Follow Myke Wright on Twitter @OhMykeGod and Instagram: @Mykewright

Biba Adams is a NYC-based writer who loves all things hip-hop, pizza, and puppies. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @BibatheDiva, and visit her blog at toloveher.com, because to know her is to love her.

For more interviews like this, sign up for Blavity’s daily newsletter.

wonderland

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week