Day after day I seem to push against the clouds..

If the old saying is true, then laughter really is the best medicine.

I remember scrolling through YouTube’s suggested videos and seeing a video titled “when you are getting robbed, but you are broke”. This one-minute video by youtuber LongBeachGriffy, was only one of three videos posted to his brand-new YouTube channel. However, this video alone garnered well over 2 million views in a short time. The video itself was basic, one actor playing two parts all while simultaneously being the camera man as well. Therein lies the simplistic beauty to this and many of his other videos. He did not need a large crew of multiple people or fancy camera shots. His talent was making the audience connect and relate to him in a way that makes the laughter genuine. I laughed so hard I nearly peed myself. You know the kind of laughter I am talking about; it was the kind of laughter that made you laugh until you started to cry.

At the time it was 2017, he was new to YouTube and quickly gained hundreds of followers within his first few months. Fans like myself came back time and time again for his comedy/parody skits. His sense of humor can best be described as satire. Tethering between hilariously funny and borderline offensive or mocking the subject matter. I would be remiss if I did not say that in society today jokes of this nature are often taken out of context and can easily land someone in hot water. But on the other hand, it is easily the way in which he portrays a character, the way in which he speaks, or carries himself in the video that assures you that he is not just making a halfhearted joke for laughs sake. It feels deeper. He always has a point. All his jokes have a fair point and meaning, one could argue that his style is like playing devil’s advocate on certain topics.

Similarly, his skits are all original ideas. The creative finesse of his talents is apparent. From his videos titled “working in retail be like”, to even his most controversial videos about politics or popular news. The audience can relate to the skit in a way that garners laughter. Whether you have experience working in retail or have watched the topics discussed on the news lately. There is a feeling that his jokes came from a common mindset perhaps shared by many people. Not only that but three years later the iconic background music he plays at the climax of the joke, “day after day seems like I push against the clouds” has become one of his most unique features of his videos. Viewers know that the punch line of the joke is about to be delivered with the soft beginnings of the song and the way he looks directly into the camera to drive the point home before the end of the video.

Lastly, LongBeachGriffy is my favorite Black creator on YouTube if not for his comedic skits, then for his relentless work ethic and consistency. A lot of great youtubers run out of ideas or have an upload schedule that leaves their audience waiting days or weeks for new content. This lack of consistency can account for most failed YouTube channels. LongBeachGriffy posts approximately four or five videos per week. This free form perspective especially came in handy during this past year. When the pandemic hit, I like many others was working two jobs and only watching his videos on my one day off. But being laid off and transitioning to being a stay-at-home mom meant dealing with anxiety and feelings of depression. I know that the world was hurting and so many innocent people were losing their lives and their loved ones. But for me most days I would look forward to his videos to help lift my spirits. It felt comforting to have his constant content that I knew and expected, at a time where I did not know how to properly process what was going on around me.

In short, due to his style of comedic satire, his original skits, and his consistency to his work schedule; my favorite black content creator is LongBeachGriffy. Also, since the pandemic has forced a lot of people to look inward at themselves. He has begun using his social media platforms to spread positive messages of hope and peace. As well as daily affirmations about finding joys in the small things and seeking therapy for mental health’s sake.