Black Influencers Shine in Forbes Top Creators 2025 List

Entertainment Lists News

Published by Gugulethu Nxumalo at June 18, 2025

Selection Metrics

According to Forbes, the Top Creators list considers a combination of earnings. From brand deals, merch, and business ventures, total followers across platforms, and average engagement rate. Then there’s an entrepreneurship score, a measure of how creators are building sustainable businesses beyond content. This isn’t just about who has the biggest numbers, but who’s converting influence into income and long-term growth.

And if you look closely, Black creators are not only checking those boxes, they’re bringing authenticity, community, and culture to the forefront.

Here’s a look at the Black creators making their mark in 2025.

Druski

With $14 million in earnings and a fan-favorite engagement rate of 5.87%, Druski (real name Drew Desbordes) sits at #9. Known for his hilarious hip-hop parodies and uncanny ability to mimic every guy you’ve ever seen at a party, Druski has moved from memes to the mainstream. He co-starred in Dunkin’s Super Bowl ad alongside Ben Affleck and has worked with Google, Nike, and PrizePicks.

His real flex? He keeps the culture at the center of everything he does, and brands are paying a premium to be part of it.

Khaby Lame

With $20 million in earnings and a staggering 258.5 million followers, Khaby Lame continues to reign as the most-followed human on TikTok. Sitting at #10 on the Forbes list, the Senegalese-born, Italy-based creator became a global icon for his silent spoofs on viral life hacks and internet absurdities.

His signature deadpan stare has landed him massive brand partnerships with Hugo Boss, Binance, and several Hollywood studios, where he regularly pops up alongside stars like Tom Cruise and Matt Damon.

Steven Bartlett

Steven Bartlett comes in at #11 with $29 million in earnings and a business empire that’s still expanding. The British-Nigerian entrepreneur and podcast host has transformed The Diary of a CEO from a side hustle into one of the biggest media platforms in the U.K., now making serious waves in the U.S.

After selling his social media marketing company, Social Chain, Bartlett launched Flight Story, a media and investment firm that now produces five major podcasts. His roster of partners includes LinkedIn, Oracle, and other corporate giants.

More than just a creator, Bartlett is showing that the future of influence is owning the mic, the platform, and the business behind it.

Marques Brownlee

With $10 million in earnings and more than 33 million followers across platforms, Marques Brownlee, aka MKBHD, lands at #17 on Forbes’ list. The tech reviewer and YouTube OG has been producing top-tier content since he was a teenager, and today, his word can make or break the next iPhone or electric car.

Brownlee is known for his clean production style, in-depth reviews, and no-nonsense takes on everything from Teslas to AI. His influence spans far beyond YouTube; he’s a respected voice in both Silicon Valley and mainstream media.

For Marques, it’s always been about more than clicks. It’s about trust, tech, and making content he actually wants to see in the world.

Kai Cenat

At #28, Bronx-born Kai Cenat is the blueprint for modern-day streaming. Earning $8.5 million with a jaw-dropping 12.9% engagement rate, Cenat has turned Twitch into a cultural phenomenon. His antics, challenges, and collaborations (from T-Mobile ads with Snoop Dogg to prank wars with celebrities) show how Black creators are expanding traditional definitions of content.

Cenat’s influence proves that connection, not just content, is what wins in the creator economy

IShowSpeed

If engagement is king, IShowSpeed is the emperor. With a staggering 30.89% engagement rate and $20 million in earnings, Speed (Darren Watkins Jr.) ranks at #42. Speed started on YouTube and is now a global figure. He’s appeared at Champions League matches and worked with brands like Prime and Warner Music. His content brings chaos, charisma, and creativity all in one.

He’s also one of the youngest Black creators on the list, and perhaps the most influential among Gen Z viewers.

Jordan the Stallion

Jordan Howlett, at #33 better known as Jordan the Stallion, has built a multimillion-dollar brand through humor, relatability, and his signature bathroom mirror videos. With 35.8 million followers and an average engagement rate of 2.41%, Jordan has carved a unique niche by sharing viral fast food hacks, offering quirky takes on trending topics, and casually linking up with celebrities like Donald Glover and Kevin Hart. His laid-back style has not only earned him a loyal online audience but also caught the attention of major brands. In 2025 alone, he raked in $11 million through partnerships with companies like Cash App, Verizon, and H&R Block. With an entrepreneurship score of 2, his story proves that being yourself and being funny can pay off big time.

Wisdom Kaye

At #48 With 22.4 million followers and a standout engagement rate of 4.77%, Wisdom Kaye is one of the most stylish men on TikTok and a rising force in the fashion industry. The Nigerian-American creator pivoted from engineering student to fashion influencer during the pandemic, gaining viral traction for his avant-garde outfits and editorial-level video content. In 2025, he earned $5 million and secured brand deals with luxury and lifestyle giants like Prada, Ferragamo, Google, and American Express. Signed to IMG Models and scoring an entrepreneurship score of 2, Wisdom masterfully merges high fashion with creator culture, proving that digital style and business savvy aren’t mutually exclusive.

Monet McMichael

At #49, Monet McMichael is part of a new wave of creators who blend lifestyle, beauty, and storytelling. With a nursing degree from Rutgers and deals with Amazon, Abercrombie, and Google, she’s built an empire based on trust and relatability. Her audience may be smaller (5.5M followers), but her 4.18% engagement rate shows that people are listening and buying.

The Takeaway

Black creators are no longer just going viral; they’re going global, going corporate, and going legacy. Whether it’s Druski blending comedy with billion-dollar ad campaigns, Kai Cenat redefining Twitch, or Monet McMichael launching a fragrance line, they’re doing more than creating content. They’re building empires.

And as Forbes finally reflects that reality, one thing’s clear: the future of the creator economy is Black, bold, and brilliant.