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From Comedy to Culture, Black Creators Set New Standards in Social Media
From Comedy to Culture, Black Creators Set New Standards in Social Media
Black excellence still remains paramount in the digital entertainment space in 2024 and are taking over entertainment like they own the place. At such a time like this, Black creators have a representation on Forbes Top Creators list this year. At the forefront, we have Khaby Lame, Druski, and Kai Cenat, who from being regular users of Instagram, Youtube and Tiktok, have risen to global icons.
These creators have not just amassed followers but have leveraged their social media influence to become social media moguls with empires in the million figures. These individuals continue to inspire and open up a place for avant-garde black creators striving to create a new path.
Khaby remains the undisputed King of Tik Tok with followers amassing up to 163 million and likes 2.5 billion. The Italian native has turned his meme reactions into big endorsements with Hugo Boss, Fortnight, and Sony Pictures. Also adding to his business is his line of kitchen tools at Walmart. As a man of principle, Lame continues to keep the channel’s brand safe for family audiences and avoids taking sponsorships from alcohol and tobacco brands.
Effortlessly dominating the Youtube and Instagram space, Druski has made a name that is plastered in the stars. With notable collaborations like Google, Nike, Prize Picks and Snapchat, the media personality has stopped at nothing to push boundaries. He is not only popular on social media, but has hit the road with his “Coulda Woulda Shoulda” tour and sold out Coulda Fest at State Farm Arena.
The tech guru has garnered over 21 million subscribers on YouTube through his in-depth tech reviews. Overtime, his channel's authentic growth, has made him the go-to tech personality on social media with 750 million views annually.
The year 2022 was epochal for the Twitch streamer as he broke the record for streaming with 712,600 viewers during his broadcast with influential personalities一 Kevin Hart & LeBron James. It is noteworthy that the 22 year old streamer has appeared in ads for T-Mobile, McDonald's, and Nike. More recently, he and iShowSpeed signed a multi million dollar contract with the streaming platform Rumble.
Beauty influencer Monet McMichael has a remarkable 12% engagement rate – six times the industry standard. This strong audience connection has led to collaborations like Dezi eyewear and Snif perfumes, as well as collaborations with industry titans like Google, MAC, and L'Oreal Paris.
Louisiana State University (LSU) basketball star, is not just a sensation on the court; she also focuses on business and brand endorsements including Bose, Powerade, and Puma. The athlete-turned-rapper was offered a multi-million dollar contract with Jay Z's Roc Nation company.
Social media chef Nara Smith attracts millions with her distinct blend of subtle aura and home cooking. Known for wearing designer outfits while preparing family meals, her TikToks regularly attract 10-45 million views. Her unique style has earned partnerships with Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs, while her "Paper Pantry" newsletter boasts 47,000 subscribers.
Howlett became well-known on TikTok by sharing DIY recipes for popular fast foods like Chipotle and Taco Bell. Now, with over 15 million followers, he shares insights on trending social media topics.
With more than 7 million TikTok followers, former engineer Drea posts comedy skits that draw inspiration from her Nigerian-American ancestry. In order to assist others comprehend TikTok's algorithm, she created the Next Level Influence and MasterClass. Her brand partnerships include Bumble, Nissan, Google, Coca-Cola, Disney, McDonald's, and Netflix.
As these icons continue to break boundaries and inspire millions, they pave the way for the next generation of Black influencers to emerge. By redefining success on their own terms, these individuals show that the future of entertainment and social media is diverse and inclusive.
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