Oakerson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in West Philadelphia, where he attended Robert E. Lamberton High School.[4] During his senior year of high school, Oakerson moved to the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township, New Jersey with his mother and step-father who worked full-time. His father was absent for most of his childhood. He enrolled at Camden County College but left after a month to pursue comedy. He worked as a chauffeur/bouncer for strippers and children’s parties to make ends meet.He has opened for Dave Attell and toured with Korn before touring as a headliner.
His television credits include Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Comedy Central Presents, Inside Amy Schumer, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and This Is Not Happening with Ari Shaffir, along with multiple appearances on BET’s Comic View, HBO’s P. Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy and Crashing. He co-hosted Movies on Tap on Spike TV. He played Neil on the series Z Rock and appeared in the pilot episode of Louie, as well as an episode in the third season. On December 1, 2014, Oakerson headlined a free charity show for supporters of morning show Preston & Steve and radio station WMMR in Philadelphia for the annual Campout for Hunger which supports Philabundance.[6] On June 17, 2016, Oakerson released his first hour long special titled, Live At Webster Hall. He also hosted Big Jay Oakerson’s What’s Your F@%king Deal?! on Seeso.
