Julie Gillis gushes over YouTube sensation Ryan Higa.
Where was Ryan Higa when I was in high school???
And no, not just because he is ADORBZ!!11!Eleventy!, but because a) I wish I’d had some cool kid from the future bringing YouTube Technology to me and my own band of creative outcasts (cause we would have FOR SURE made some crazy vids), but also b) cause advocacy through comedy and social media is worth a ton more than boring “Don’t Bully” posters pasted on the high school walls.
Who is this guy? I’m glad you asked!
A few years ago, my son introduced me to the frenetic and goofy charms of Ryan Higa, whose vids get millions of views. Ryan is a fast talking, bouncy, creative comedic film and video buff, and obviously a part-time social justice activist; what’s not to like?
Also known as “Nigahiga,” which is his last name and the Japanese word for “Rant,” he’s been making films and videos since high school in 2006. Thanks to my son’s devotion of to the segments, I’ve watched Ryan’s career progress from Twilight Parodies to hilarious nearly incomprehensible screeds about not taking his ADHD meds, to songs about the complicated wonders of Bromance. That one is super clever in its deconstruction of the complexities of…well, it’s just super clever, in my opinion.
I expect big things from Nigahiga. He’s pretty rad and he’s inspired my son (and I’m sure countless other young kids) to make his own wacktastic comedy videos. Like I said, if I’d had a digital camera, MacBook editing systems and a YouTube channel back in 19grumblemumble, I’d have been doing it too.
Here’s a great vid from the “Off The Pill” series, about cutting the judgement out in high school. Good advice no matter what age we are, yes?
He’s like three parts J-Smooth and one part Boxxy poured into a mixer and shaken. Serve over crushed ice.
YES!!! The guy’s a straight up heartthrob.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfeys7Jfnx8
Also, thanks Julie…I now just wasted about an hour watching his videos and some from KevJumba. lol.
And hey in the Bromance video…was that Wayne Brady?
“Nice Guys” by Ryan Higa….My son does his karaoke version of that on youtube….Love Ryan and his wacky friends!
I so love this guy! I can’t even remember where I first heard of him, but I’m pretty sure it was on Facebook. lol. The Swog video is like, the best!