In just a couple of years since becoming available for worldwide use, TikTok has seen an explosive surge in popularity. TikTok now boasts over 1.677 billion users globally, making it a formidable social media platform. Among its vast user base, there are already numerous standout TikTok influencers.
TikTokers convey their messages through short videos. Most TikTok influencers focus on a particular niche like comedy, beauty, fitness, etc.
Even when choosing a niche, however, many TikTokers also participate in challenges on the platform. This gives them the opportunity to reach an even broader audience while still bringing their own personality and style to the challenges.
Viral videos (videos that get really popular) are shown on each user’s “for you” page. This page is what shows up when you open the app and uses TikTok’s algorithm to show you content similar to the content you’ve watched and engaged with in the past. It’s likely you’ll find that your “for you” page is filled with people very similar to you.
Having said that, it’s important to mention that TikTok, like YouTube, has a bit of a diversity platform. Not that the users of the platform aren’t diverse—they are. However, Black creators have pointed out that their content has largely been left out of the “for you” pages, even for other Black creators with similar niches.
TikTok has pledged to take steps to ensure that this gets remedied, but in the meantime, how do you find Black TikTok influencers who are creating the content you want to see?
In this article, we’re showcasing 17 Black TikTok influencers across niches like comedy, music and dance, fashion and beauty, food, and fitness. Let’s dive in!
Black TikTok creators are well-represented across multiple niches on the platform. And, what’s really fantastic about TikTok’s algorithm is that the more you follow Black TikTok influencers and like the content they create, the more they’ll show up on your “for you” page. This makes them a lot easier to find. Here are our picks for the top Black TikTok influencers you need to go follow right now.
Black TikTok Influencers Who Are Absolutely Crushing It Right Now:
Black TikTok Influencers: Comedy
To be completely honest, most of the content creators on TikTok could fall into this category. Seriously, they’re a funny, observational lot.
But, here are our top picks for Black TikTok influences who are comedy-focused.
1. @dtay.known
@dtay.known
- Followers: 16.1M
- Likes: 296.7M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 106,700
- Engagement Rate: 1.28%
Dtay is everywhere on social media (he’s been on Twitter since 2012), but he’s best known for his TikTok account where he posts comedy skits, vlogs, and original dance videos.
His younger brother Devin is also popular on the platform.
Most Liked/Shared Video
@dtay.known40%... ??? ##foryou♬ original sound - dtay.known
Most Commented Video
@dtay.knownSo was I right or wrong⁉️? w/ @leethe4th @woahits_jonas ##comedy♬ original sound - dtay.known
2. @jameshenry
@jameshenry
- Followers: 4.2M
- Likes: 60.4M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 3,810
- Engagement Rate: 2.42%
James Henry has been around since Vine with slapstick comedy and dance. He mostly hits on relationships and dating and even his sponsored ads are entertaining.
For Black History Month 2020, James worked with other creators to riff on the phenomenon that leads non-Black people to this that all Black people should know each other and either be friends or date.
Most Liked/Shared Video
@jameshenryYou’re never safe to fart in peace ??.##15secondreview ##fastfoodlife. What would you have done???♬ original sound - jameshenry
Most Commented Video
@jameshenryDid I not just say...??♂️? @dreaknowsbest Spell 9-1-1 without getting interrupted ⬇️⬇️??♬ original sound - jameshenry
3. @dreaknowsbest
@dreaknowsbest
- Followers: 6.5M
- Likes: 149.5M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 5,196
- Engagement Rate: 1.73%
Drea is a Nigerian American graduate in Engineering who got her start on Vine with videos that teased her African mother. From there, she began sharing her self-deprecating comedy everywhere.
Drea was one of the drivers behind the #MakeBlackHistory movement on TikTok which was intended to create awareness about Black culture.
Most Liked/Shared Video
@dreaknowsbestWhen u need money ? ( full video on my însta: Drea_knowsbest ) ##comedy ##foryou♬ original sound - dreaknowsbest
Most Commented Video
@dreaknowsbest##LoveYourPetDay I LOVE THIS BABY GOAT ? ? whats your fav animal emoji ?!♬ original sound - dreaknowsbest
4. @lifeofasassystew
@lifeofasassystew
- Followers: 250.5K
- Likes: 3.8M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 172
- Engagement Rate: 0.13%
Have you ever had a flight with a flight crew that was just hilarious? Maybe LifeofaSassyStew was on your flight!
LifeofaSassyStew creates comedic content about exactly what it’s like to fly the friendly skies as a full-time attendant. She has built her strong following by being honest and funny about her work both as a flight attendant and mother.
Most Liked/Shared/Commented Video
@lifeofasassystewOn a ground stop delay ##foryou ##foryoupage ##airline♬ Homemade Beats - Lv.01 Napkins
Black TikTok Influencers: Music & Dance
While many of the content creators on TikTok take part in music and dance challenges, there are quite a few TikTokers who are just massively talented in this area.
Here are our picks for the top black tiktokers who focus on music and dance.
5. @mizzko
@mizzko
- Followers: 1.2M
- Likes: 11.3M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 6,631
- Engagement Rate: 1.17%
Kendra Oyesanya, known as MizzKO on TikTok, is a brilliant and dynamic hip hop dancer who just makes it look easy.
She prides herself on not looking like or being the “typical” dancer and enjoys the things that make her unique.
Most Liked/Shared Video
@mizzkoWho can relate? Happy Sunday ? ##beyonce ##church ##SuperBowl ##superbowlsunday ##crazyinlove ##foryourpage ##fyp ##coachella♬ original sound - mizzko
Most Commented
@mizzkoNo ##Coachella No Problem ?? ##funfact : I was in this performance ☺️ ##fyp ##foryou ##foryourpage ##beyonce ##beyonće ##beyhive ##coronavirus ##happyathome♬ original sound - sadamar3
6. @dancemachine45
@dancemachine45
- Followers: 687.5K
- Likes: 19.7M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 11,609
- Engagement Rate: 0.03%
Derrell Underwood truly is a dancing machine. He not only has excellent video editing skills, but a broad range of dance moves (arm-ography, swaggy grooves, and more).
He also posts funny content and commentary.
Despite his broad appeal, Derrell remains humble and disbelieving that he has fans who love his content as much as he loves them.
Want to create high-quality videos like Derrell’s? Here are our picks for the best TikTok video editing tools.
Most Liked/Shared Video
@dancemachine45Siblings Be Like ##1MComedyAudition ##petvoiceover ##comedy ##featureme♬ original sound - dancemachine45
Most Commented Video
@dancemachine45Call me DJ by the Foot! Let’s see your best remix video using your moves and this fire track! ##DJBytheFoot ##sponsored♬ original sound - dancemachine45
7. @naenaetwinsofficial
@naenaetwinsofficial
- Followers: 3.2M
- Likes: 43.3M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 7,918
- Engagement Rate: 0.33%
The NaeNaeTwins are Shayné and Zhané Stanley. They started dancing early in life and trained in hip hop, ballet, and jazz through their mom’s nonprofit.
And you can tell they’ve been dancing forever—just check out the perfect unison even when moving at a ridiculous speed.
Plus, they’re just super positive and a joy to watch.
Most Liked/Shared/Commented Video
@naenaetwinsofficial##savageremix DANCE TUTORIAL!! ##savageremixchallenge & TAG US in your videos ? Also check out our merch in bio, Tops: “Teach Me How To NaeNae”♬ Savage Remix ft. Beyoncé - naenaetwinsofficial
Black TikTok Influencers: Fashion & Beauty
Fashion and beauty influencers on TikTok run the gamut on what they specialize in. You’ll find cosplayers who recreate entire characters using makeup and their faces as a canvas, makeup tutorials, fashion tips, and so much more.
Here are some of our favorite Black fashion and beauty TikTok influencers.
8. @donidarkowitz
@donidarkowitz
- Followers: 439.9K
- Likes: 11M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 788
- Engagement Rate: 0.22%
Taj Reed shows you how to get her stunning makeup looks synced with some of TikTok’s trending sounds.
Her videos show off each layer, starting with primer all the way to lashes.
Bonus: she’s funny!
Most Liked Video
@donidarkowitzfacts ##fyp ##foryou ##makeup ##makeuptutorial ##foryoupage♬ No Bitch - Young Curt
Most Shared Video
@donidarkowitzDating as a fat girl be like: ##fyp ##foryou ##foryoupage ##dating ##funny ##plussize ##MusicalMindReader♬ original sound - donidarkowitz
Most Commented Video
@donidarkowitzI will MAKE time. Have a seat. ##blacklivesmatter ##blm ##racism ##fyp ##foryoupage ##foryou♬ original sound - donidarkowitz
9. @dajjrambo
@dajjrambo
- Followers: 434.3K
- Likes: 17.1M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 3,973
- Engagement Rate: 14.90%
Dasia is a content creator best known for her makeup tutorials, but she also shares DIY art videos like sneaker art and room renovations.
She started sharing makeup tutorials on her YouTube channel in 2015.
Her adorable children, Noelle and Naz, make the occasional appearance in her videos.
Most Liked/Commented Video
@dajjramboPut singles in my Daughter’s hair, this took too damn long ?. ##hairvideos ##braidstyles ##boxbraids ##foryou ##fyp ##normalpeople♬ original sound - dajjrambo
Most Shared Video
@dajjrambo 12 Dollars and a lil Skill ??♀️... #Braids #4chair #cornrowtutorial #braiddesign #foryou #fyp #Coming2America ♬ original sound - Dasia Janae
10. @wisdm8
@wisdm8
- Followers: 9.2M
- Likes: 312.7M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 277,200
- Engagement Rate: 2.88%
Wisdom is a Nigerian-born TikTok creator who is all about fashion. He launched his TikTok account in January and has already racked up more than 10 million likes.
Wisdom, who moved to Texas when he was 4, got his first million views on a video showing him switching between a few different outfits.
Most Liked Video
@wisdm8Dressing up according to Megan Thee Stallion ##fyp ##fashion ##style♬ Savage - Megan Thee Stallion
Most Shared Video
@wisdm8Why is everything chrome tho fr?? ##fyp ##distancedance ##foryoupage ##foryou ##quarantine ##foru♬ original sound - wisdm8
Most Commented Video
@wisdm8Go go go who's next? ##fashion ##style ##harrystyles♬ Only Angel - Harry Styles
11. @ahliyahmichelle
@ahliyahmichelle
- Followers: 62K
- Likes: 1M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 6,484
- Engagement Rate: 0.69%
Ahliyah is a micro-influencer whose TikTok videos are relaxing and mesmerizing. Watching her do beautiful makeup tutorials is something we would recommend even if you don’t wear makeup.
Most Liked/Shared/Commented Video
@ahliyahmichelleInstagram ? ahliyah.michelle ##makeup ##foryourpage ##fyp♬ original sound - normalwithadashoffab
Black TikTok Influencers: Food & Cooking
Food blogging has been around for a long time, but TikTok gives it a special something. For starters, the videos are short. This means that you can convey a lot of information in a bite-sized snippet that’s perfect for Gen Z and Millennial audiences.
Here are our picks for the best Black TikTok foodie influencers.
12. @iamtabithabrown
@iamtabithabrown
- Followers: 5.1M
- Likes: 94.3M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 17,000
- Engagement Rate: 0.53%
Tabitha Brown truly is “the world’s favorite mom.” She has such a soothing voice and positive outlook, it’s no surprise that she’s so popular on the platform.
While she really posts about everything, she made it onto our list of Black food and cooking TikTok influencers because of the vegan recipes she’s always sharing.
She offers up very easy recipes for things like spaghetti with pecan meat sauce and carrot bacon.
Most Liked/Shared Video
@iamtabithabrownCarrot bacon❤️ ##tabithabrown ##veganbacon♬ original sound - iamtabithabrown
Most Commented Video
@iamtabithabrownI love you and you are needed in this world ❤️ ##tabithabrown♬ original sound - iamtabithabrown
13. @_christianpaul
@_christianpaul
- Followers: 1.4M
- Likes: 28M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 3,577
- Engagement Rate: 0.08%
Christian Paul is a baker whose recipes include custom chocolate bars and cupcakes, as well as a Pop-Tarts recipe that he’s made his own. He sells his amazing confections at CP Cake Studio in the Atlanta area.
Most Liked/Commented Video
@_christianpaulMy first wedding cake!! I’m actually really happy with how it turned out ???♬ original sound - _christianpaul
Most Shared Video
@_christianpaulHow to make French macarons. ?♬ original sound - _christianpaul
14. @tiemyapron
@tiemyapron
- Followers: 25.6K
- Likes: 307.7K
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 3,721
- Engagement Rate: 25.16%
Tiemyapron is a culinary arts teacher, so she knows exactly what she’s doing when it comes to food.
But it’s not just fancy food you’ll find here. She also includes instructions for improving on a frozen pizza, making drinks, and does her own reviews of fast food menu items.
Most Liked/Shared/Commented Video
@tiemyapronPirogies PART 1!!! ##foodie ##food ##recipe ##newrecipe ##newvideo♬ original sound - tiemyapron
15. @onegreatvegan
@onegreatvegan
- Followers: 237.8K
- Likes: 3.9M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 372
- Engagement Rate: 4.99%
Gabrielle Reyes is multi-talented. She goes live on TikTok to share vegan recipes and tutorials but also creates catchy songs for each recipe that she uses to promote her live streams.
Most Liked Video
@onegreatveganBrownies! ##dessert ##brownies ##Veganchef ##vegan ##plantbased ##recipe ##veganrecipe ##veganfood ##chef ##onegreatvegan ##fyp ##sing ##foodie ##veganfoodie ##sweet♬ original sound - onegreatvegan
Most Shared Video
@onegreatveganCountry Fried ##Jackfruit! ##vegan ##plantbased ##comfortfood ##soulfood ##veganrecipe ##veganfood ##fried ##veganrecipes ##yum ##fyp ##song ##singer ##veganchef♬ Country Fried Jackfruit One Great Vegan - onegreatvegan
Most Commented Video
@onegreatveganPurple Potato Fries! ##vegan ##recipe ##veganfood ##sing ##song ##potato ##fries ##frenchfries ##veganrecipe ##veganchef ##plantbased ##plantbasedrecipes ##vegans♬ Purple Potato Fries One Great Vegan - onegreatvegan
Black TikTok Influencers: Fitness
What better category to follow food and cooking than fitness?
TikTok has made it easier than ever to find training tips and workout ideas. But, if you want real, evidence-based tips you need to look for more than just a nice body. You want to follow the people who actually know what they’re doing!
Here are some of our favorite Black fitness influencers on TikTok who share workouts, nutrition help, training tips, and an inside glimpse into their lives.
16. @ulissesworld
@ulissesworld
- Followers: 3M
- Likes: 31.8M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 4,368
- Engagement Rate: 9.54%
In case you couldn’t tell, Ulisses is a bodybuilder. He’s won multiple MuscleMania competitions (including MuscleMania Universe). He’s also appeared as a model in fitness publications like Men’s Health and FLEX.
Most Liked/Commented Video
@ulissesworldYou know the saying.....One man’s trash is another man’s treasure ?? @sharah_ulisses_ duet with @innocentlove9 ##foryou ##fyp @lovek_r♬ original sound - ulissesworld
Most Shared Video
@ulissesworldA Moment with Friends! ?? ##omg ##fyp ##foryou ##funny ##friends ##ulissesworld♬ original sound - ulissesworld
17. @bongiwepinana
@bongiwepinana
- Followers: 350.5K
- Likes: 2.3M
- Avg. Interactions/Post: 240
- Engagement Rate: 0.26%
Bongiwe is a personal trainer from South Africa and the CEO of Thunder Fitness. She shares guided, step-by-step videos that are easy to follow when you’re looking for a fitness fix.
Most Liked/Shared Video
@bongiwepinana #xhosacomedy #xhosanation ♬ original sound - Sisa_Ncedani
Most Commented Video
@bongiwepinana Mood??#fyp #woah ♬ Woah - $WAVE
Wrapping Up
Every Black TikTok influencer on this list is here because they are ridiculously talented at the content they create. If you’re on TikTok, you’re probably already following some of these influencers. If you’re not, what are you waiting for?
Interested in becoming a TikTok influencer? Check out our TikTok Influencer Marketing Guide for all the info you need to get started fast!
