Some episodes start with a plan and then take a hard turn into whatever’s funniest. That’s this one: Rap Snacks, stand-up booking stories, and a long detour into football, old-school hits, and what it’s really like riding ALS as a paramedic.

Big Ben Kennedy kicks it off the way he always does on Snackin’ & Yakkin’, hanging out, eating snacks, talking life, and letting the conversation go where it goes. This time, he’s joined by Charleston-area comic Craig “Sauceaveli” Brown (aka “Lil’ Craig”), the guy who put together a gig the crew still can’t stop talking about.

How Craig “Sauce” Brown built a comedy show on Edisto Island

Craig Brown is from around the Lowcountry (originally Jackson, about 40 to 45 minutes outside Charleston), and he’s been working comedy for years, mostly popping up on shows and opening for others. What made this hangout episode click is that Craig didn’t just do stand-up, he booked a show that left an impression because he treated the comics right.

That Edisto Island night at Dockside Bar became a recurring story because it was the kind of gig comics remember: solid crowd, good energy, and a host who handled people well. Ben credits a lot of that to the network effect in local comedy, especially Neil Chris (Comic Life), who keeps a roster and matches comics to rooms. Craig met Neil through an open mic at Coconut Joe’s, and from there it turned into real friendship and real opportunities.

The Edisto show also happened because Craig had roots there. His mom’s side of the family is from Edisto Island, and he knew “Craig the Guitar Man” (another Craig) through family connections. They’d talked about doing comedy on the island for five or six years, and the Dockside night became the first show they actually pulled off.

It wasn’t framed as some huge production. It was more like a food-and-beverage appreciation night, letting people who worked hard all summer come in, laugh, and feel seen. Small room, packed crowd, big laughs. For locals, it was new entertainment on a small island, and they showed love for it. (If you’re curious about the venue itself, here’s the Dockside Bar listing from the Edisto Chamber.)

“Chip science” with Rap Snacks: four bags, one couch, and a bold lemon pepper

The snack lineup is pure Rap Snacks: flavors tied to artists, big seasoning, and enough salt and spice to make the conversation louder.

Here’s what they taste-tested:

• Rick Ross Sweet Chili Lemon Pepper
• Migos Sour Cream with a Dab of Ranch
• Snoop Dogg O.G. BBQ Cheddar
• Lil Baby All In

Ben pairs it with sweet tea (Pure Leaf), and Craig points out a real-world detail that feels accurate: you usually find these flavors at smaller corner stores, not always the big chains. In this case, they shout out Big T’s in the Charleston area.

The early standout is Rick Ross Sweet Chili Lemon Pepper. Ben jokes that lemon pepper is “black people’s pumpkin spice” (a line from his EMT buddy), and the chip backs it up. The flavor hits fast and strong, and later, it becomes the most dominant seasoning in every combo bite they try.

Migos Sour Cream with a Dab of Ranch lands closer to sour cream and onion, with ranch showing up late and light. They basically agree it’s more “essence of ranch” than a real ranch punch.

Snoop’s O.G. BBQ Cheddar surprises them in a good way. The cheddar doesn’t fight the barbecue, it smooths it out, pulling it away from that overly sweet BBQ chip vibe. Ben describes a baked-beans kind of savory note, and both of them keep going back for more.

Lil Baby All In brings the most “what is that?” complexity: vinegar, garlic, and a sweet back-end that’s hard to label. If you’ve ever wanted one chip that tastes like three different chips, that’s the one. For extra context on how people react to these flavors, the Michigan Daily Rap Snacks review is a fun read.

Then they start mixing chips like kids at a sleepover. The key lesson from the couch lab: lemon pepper overpowers almost everything, but BBQ cheddar plus salt-and-vinegar gets dangerously good.

Comedy goals, football obsession, and the real weight of EMS work

Craig’s clear about what he wants next. He started comedy around 2013 to 2014, took a break when real life hit (bills, family, responsibility), and now he’s getting back to open mics and stage time, including time spent around Atlanta. He also wants to keep booking, not just one room, but runs, taking a solid group of comics to places like Florence or Myrtle Beach.

He’s also big on cross-promotion. He shouts out his girlfriend’s sweets (cereal treats, dipped pretzels), and he talks about building “Sauce Nation 843” into more than a handle, possibly a clothing idea with a logo to match the nickname.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, the episode swerves into football. Craig’s a loud-and-proud 49ers fan, and Ben rides with the Ravens. They talk about how brutal NFL hits used to be (Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Brian Urlacher, John Lynch), and how the game has shifted as rules and safety changed. They even compare it to combat sports, with Craig giving respect to UFC and bare-knuckle fighters because most talkers wouldn’t last one round.

The heaviest part comes when Craig flips the interview energy back on Ben and asks about EMS. Ben shares what 15 years in ALS can look like: heart attacks, strokes, murder scenes, and transfers involving complex equipment (including LVAD patients). He explains the hard math of the job, the clock working against you, and how rare “saves” can feel compared to heartbreaks. It’s honest, not dramatic, and it fits the show’s style: real life, then another chip.

Find Craig Brown at @saucenation843, and if you want more episodes like this, check out the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ YouTube channel and the Snackin’ & Yakkin’ Patreon, where supporters help keep the snacks (and the mics) going.

Conclusion

This episode is proof that a simple hangout can cover a lot: comedy booking done right, Rap Snacks that hit harder than expected, and real talk about the jobs that don’t come with an off switch. Craig Brown leaves with momentum, Sauce Nation energy, and a clear push toward more stage time and more rooms. Ben leaves with four open bags and a reminder that lemon pepper wins every fight. What flavor combo would you try first, and what would you never mix again?

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