Influential Black Creators on the Forbes Top Creators List 2025
Hitting Top Gear: Forbes' 2025 Most Influential Digital Creators
Let's dive into the world's most impactful digital personas gracing our screens, as Forbes unveils its annual Top 50 Creators list. This year, a wave of Black creators is making waves, not just entertaining but shaping their digital empires, boasting business acumen, and moving culture forward.
From comedy kings and stream queens to style icons and lifestyle influencers, these pioneers are turning content into gold and cultivating communities that push cultural boundaries. The rankings are calculated based on earnings, social media followers, engagement rates, and entrepreneurial ventures outside content creation.
Curious to know what sets these Black creators apart? Here's a roundup of the top talents leading the way in 2025.
Druski's Magic Touch
With a dazzling $14 million in earnings and a fan-favorite engagement rate of 5.87%, Drew Desbordes, aka Druski, sits at #9 on the list. Druski's claim to fame lies in his hysterical hip-hop parodies and uncanny ability to mimic every guy you've ever seen at a party. This hilarious meme master has moved from internet sensation to mainstream success, co-starring in Dunkin's Super Bowl ad alongside Ben Affleck, and collaborating with brands like Google, Nike, and PrizePicks. Fusing culture and creativity, Druski has hit a rich vein of success.
Khaby Lame's Global Domination
With $20 million in earnings and a staggering 258.5 million followers, Senegalese-born TikTok sensation Khaby Lame ranks at #10. Known for his silent spoofs on viral life hacks and internet absurdities, Khaby's signature deadpan stare has earned him massive brand partnerships with stars like Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, and Hollywood studios. Khaby's story underscores the power of creativity, simplicity, and humor to reach a global audience.
Steven Bartlett's Empire Expansion
British-Nigerian entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, ranked at #11, has built an impressive business empire. The podcast host has transformed The Diary of a CEO from a side hustle into one of the UK's leading media platforms, now making serious waves in the US. After selling his social media marketing company, Social Chain, Bartlett launched Flight Story, a media and investment firm that produces five major podcasts. With a roster of high-profile partners including LinkedIn, Oracle, and other corporate giants, Bartlett proves that owning the media, the platform, and the business is the future of influence.
Marques Brownlee: Top Dog in Tech
With $10 million in earnings and more than 33 million followers across platforms, tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, aka MKBHD, checks in at #17. Known for his in-depth reviews, impeccable production style, and trusted takes on everything from Teslas to AI, Brownlee's influence extends beyond YouTube, making waves in both the tech industry and mainstream media. His mantra is simple: make content that he wants to see in the world.
Kai Cenat: The Blueprint for Streaming
Bronx-born Kai Cenat is redefining streaming at #28 with $8.5 million earnings and a jaw-dropping 12.9% engagement rate, proving that connection, not just content, is key to success in the creator economy. From T-Mobile ads with Snoop Dogg to prank wars with celebrities, Kai's unique blend of antics, collaborations, and cultural relevance showcases how Black creators are expanding traditional content definitions.
IShowSpeed's Kingdom
If engagement is king, IShowSpeed is the emperor. With an unprecedented 30.89% engagement rate and $20 million in earnings, Darren Watkins Jr. (or simply Speed) ranks at #42, captivating audiences with chaotic humor, charisma, and creativity. This young star has built a global following, appearing at Champions League matches and collaborating with Prime and Warner Music.
Jordan the Stallion's Rise to the Top
Jordan Howlett, better known as Jordan the Stallion, emerged as a multimillion-dollar brand through humor, relatability, and his signature bathroom mirror videos. With 35.8 million followers, an average engagement rate of 2.41%, and an 2025 earnings of $11 million, Jordan showcases that being yourself and being funny can be the key to success.
Wisdom Kaye's Fashion Frontier
At #48, Wisdom Kaye pioneers the fashion industry with a unique blend of style, creativity, and creator savvy. The Nigerian-American creator gained viral fame for his avant-garde outfits and editorial-level content, pivoting from engineering student to fashion influencer during the pandemic. His infectious energy and entrepreneurship have earned him partnerships with luxury brands like Prada, Ferragamo, Google, and American Express.
Monet McMichael's Lifestyle Empires
At #49, Monet McMichael is the embodiment of a new wave of creators who seamlessly weave lifestyle, beauty, and storytelling. With a nursing degree, deals with Amazon, Abercrombie, and Google, McMichael has built a digital empire based on trust, relatability, and her infectious personality. Her smaller audience of 5.5M followers shows that sometimes, quality trumps quantity, earning her a 4.18% engagement rate.
The Bigger Picture: Black Creators Rising
Black creators are no longer mere viral sensations; they're taking over the digital world, collaborating with corporations, and making their presence known. From Druski's memes to Khaby Lame's spoofs, these creators are transforming the creator economy and investing in their legacies. As Forbes embraces and highlights their success, it's clear that the future belongs to the Black, the bold, and the brilliant.
