Mike Epps Signs with Artists First for Management

John Dody

07/09/25 11:00AM

The Upshaws are in their final season, but Mike Epps isn’t going anywhere.

The veteran comic and actor has signed with Artists First for management, joining a roster that leans into multi-hyphenates and comedy heavyweights. He continues to be repped by UTA across film and TV, IAG for comedy touring, and Kovert Creative for publicity.

And while a lot of comedians are going podcast-microphone-in-the-basement, Epps is still a stage guy. He recently headlined the Fireworks in Paradise Comedy Festival in the Bahamas, adding a little sun to his signature brand of grit-and-glam. Before that? He suited up as a guest sideline reporter for the Big 3, casually trading punchlines for play-by-play.

Epps currently stars in and executive produces Netflix’s The Upshaws, which just announced its fifth and final season. He also recently appeared in The Underdoggs alongside Snoop Dogg and can be seen in the docu-special Buying Back the Block on HGTV, a more personal lens into his off-stage mission.

If you forgot that Mike Epps also writes, in 2017 he published Unsuccessful Thug, a memoir that’s part coming-of-age, part cautionary tale, and very on-brand for someone whose entire career walks the line between streetwise and mainstream.

He’s performed at venues from Madison Square Garden to State Farm Arena, and anchored lineups at festivals like Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam, The Lit AF Tour, and now Fireworks in Paradise. In other words, not just a working comic—but a national circuit mainstay.

With Artists First now in the picture, Epps is shoring up his bench as he keeps playing in multiple leagues—comedy, TV, real estate, sports, publishing. Which is to say: the Upshaws may be wrapping, but Epps’ management playbook is wide open.

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