Ajey Nagar, also known as CarryMinati, is a 21-year-old YouTube sensation with over 34 million subscribers from all around the world. Since joining YouTube in 2014, his fame has surpassed that of all modern comics and entertainment providers.
CarryMinati has built a niche in entertainment and comedy on YouTube with his distinct commentary and snarky comedy videos. He is a digital content sensation, with over 34 million YouTube subscribers and over 14.4 million Instagram followers. In an interview with Entrepreneur India, he discusses many aspects of his YouTube and gaming careers.
The YouTube plunge
Minati introduced a new roast style to the Indian digital sphere, combining humor and timely social issues. He clarifies the enigma of the moniker CarryMinati, claiming that he chose it simply because his 15-year-old self thought it was cool! He reminisces nostalgically about his transformation from Ajey Nagar to CarryMinati.
“I started in 2014 when I decided to pursue YouTube seriously. My first video was the gameplay for a horror game with noises from my parents watching television in another room. Remembering it makes me feel nostalgic and weird at the same time. Since then I have created almost all kinds of content, which led me to discover my current content style in 2016,” he said.
Carry the gamer
After beginning his career as a gamer, he began streaming gaming videos, which helped him gain a large fan base for what would eventually become the famous CarryMinati. Minati appreciates the importance of his gaming enthusiasm in his path and discusses how important “PUBG” has been in putting India on the gaming map.
“If I wasn’t doing YouTube, I would be designing video games, which was my initial plan. But I quickly realized that I like playing games not making them. I believe that there has been an evident gaming boom in India because of PUBG, due to which people have started understanding and appreciating gaming. PUGB has been a great medium for that and has inspired people to move to game consoles and experience it on a better scale,” he added.
Popularity, notoriety, and content
Minati recalls how uneasy he felt when people recognized him as a teenager when discussing his success. He gradually learned how to handle celebrities as his channel grew and the spotlight shone brightly on him. He demonstrates the inconsistencies of how one’s expertise will transfer via one’s material, as well as the oscillations in a content creator’s mentality.
“You can’t realize what people will end up liking. It sometimes shows up naturally, and at other times there is an effort that is put. I wouldn’t say anything particular can be called my USP but for me, my USP is that I can accomplish anything that I want to, and won’t settle unless I do. That for me is my biggest USP,” Minati said.
Check out Entrepreneur India’s Digital Cover featuring CarryMinati. In an exclusive video, he discusses his perspective on the digital space, what goes into content creation, and much more.