Short new interview with Dave from the Cincinatti Enquirer. Hit "Read More" to read the rest.

Dave Chappelle is a complicated man.

Earlier this year, during production of the third season of his hit Comedy Central series, "Chappelle's Show," he walked away from his reported $50 million contract without giving a reason.

Chappelle spent two weeks in South Africa before returning home to his 65-acre farm near Yellow Springs, Ohio, about 75 miles northeast of Cincinnati.

Chappelle, 32, returned to the stand-up stage at the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Newport, Ky., earlier this month. The comedian sold out 10 shows at the 325-seat club.

Between performances one evening, Chappelle talked about why he left his successful cable show and why he loves comedy.

New interview with Dave Chappelle from the Asbury Park Press. Hit "Read More" for the full interview.

Earlier this year, during production of the third season of his hit Comedy Central series, "Chappelle's Show," he walked away from his reported $50 million contract without giving a reason.

Chappelle spent two weeks in South Africa before returning home to his 65-acre farm near Yellow Springs, Ohio, about 75 miles northeast of Cincinnati.

Chappelle, 32, returned to the stand-up stage at the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Newport, Ky., last month. The comedian sold out 10 shows at the 325-seat club.

Between performances one evening, Chappelle talked about why he left his successful cable show, why he loves comedy and living in Ohio.

Q: Onstage, you make several references to what the media said about you after you left the show — that you had a drug problem or were in a mental institution. (He scoffs at both rumors.) Like to say anything more about that?

A: It was a little weird. It felt like some of the stuff (in the media) was real tabloid, like raw speculation. It was like stuff I would normally buy and believe. (Laughs.)

I just took it as a learning experience. It was like becoming a public person and learning all the responsibility that comes with that.

Pictures of some custom Chappelle's Show Nike iD's have shown up on Niketalk, apparently they were given to staff on the show. Check out the pictures courtesy of HypeBeast.

Mississippi's favorite MC, David Banner, is teaming up with Dave Chapelle, dead prez, Memphis Bleek, Talib Kweli, Styles P, The Last Poets, Q Tip, X-Ecutioners, The Beatnuts, Bazaar Royale, and Remy Martin to kick out a New York City hip-hop benefit concert for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

The concert will go happen on Monday, September 19, 2005 at B.B. King's Blues Club, located at 237 West 42nd Street in NYC. Showtime is 10:00 PM.