Before Tamra Goins was closing deals for stand-ups, she was spitting verses.

The Innovative comedy agent has an extraordinary backstory, having first taken to the stage as Entice, one half of the rap duo Danger Zone opposite cousin Bailey Brown, while growing up in late-’80s Oakland. Her experiences in the live space as a performer wold later inform her instincts in working behind the scenes — first in music, and then in comedy.

Goins’ early years in music led naturally to behind-the-scenes work in production and promotion within that arena, and it was experiences there that opened the door to stand-up. In comedy, she made a name for herself first as a producer, working alongside talent like Shaquille O’Neal on projects like his All-Star Comedy Jam .

Goins started agenting at the no

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