After performing at the First Avenue Speakeasy on Saturday, comedic poet Big Poppa E, who has been featured on HBO and has performed all over the United States, sat down with the Newton Daily News and answered a few questions. His responses are as follows:

Q: Do you ever get nervous on stage?

A: I’m pretty shy. For some reason, when I get up on stage, I’m really comfortable. I found a lot of performers are like that. For some reason, when you’re up on stage you’re completely in control. I feel like, you know, dolphins swimming through waves? They’re not thinking, ‘Oh, check me out.’ That’s like my thing. It’s me swimming in the waves.