Drew “Druski” Desbordes has achieved what many content creators only dream of: transforming viral comedy into serious wealth.
On The Rise
The Georgia-born comedian now sits at No. 9 on Forbes’ prestigious list of top-earning creators for 2025, raking in a reported $14 million in annual earnings, according to Forbes. That’s a jump from his No. 11 spot in 2024, when he brought in $12 million.
He has been on the list for three years.
He’s been able to climb rapidly in a digital world where trends often vanish overnight. Druski is now part of an elite group of 50 creators who collectively earned an estimated $853 million from Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube alone.
What makes Druski’s story compelling is his humble beginning.
Just a few years ago, Druski was a broke 23-year-old college student, transforming his mother’s living room into an impromptu studio where he filmed comedy skits using nothing more than his smartphone.
The contrast between his current multimillion-dollar empire and those early days illustrates one of social media’s most dramatic success stories.
The turning point came during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. While most of the world was shut down, Druski saw opportunity.
He launched Coulda Been Records, a parody of the music industry that started as a serious concept but quickly evolved into a wildly entertaining social media show. Influenced by shows like “American Idol” and “Making the Band,” Druski’s Instagram Live sessions became must-see viewing. Audiences stuck at home tuned in religiously, watching real artists audition for a fictional label while Druski played an outrageous executive.
He told The New York Times that social media engagement soared because people weren’t going out or attending shows, so they clung to online content. That captive audience became a loyal fan base, setting the stage for major commercial moves.
Everything changed when Drake took notice and cast Druski in the “Laugh Now Cry Later” music video.
The cameo opened doors across the industry, leading to collaborations with J. Cole, Lil Baby, and other major stars. With every move, Druski’s brand expanded beyond Instagram.
In 2023, Druski proved he could succeed beyond the screen. He hit the road with his Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda comedy tour, a 30-city trek that combined his signature Coulda Been Records skits with live stand-up, according to a press release.
Forbes noted that the tour grossed $2.5 million and was presented by Happy Dad Hard Seltzer, a brand in which Druski holds an equity stake. It was a smart partnership — proof that Druski is just as savvy in the boardroom as he is on stage.
He followed that with Coulda Fest, a sold-out comedy and music event held at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena in 2024. Reflecting on the moment, Druski posted that he still couldn’t believe the journey began with playing around doing Instagram Lives in his mom’s house.
Corporate America has embraced Druski’s unique brand of humor, leading to lucrative partnerships with industry giants including Nike, Google, Microsoft, AT&T, PrizePicks, and DraftKings. His collaboration with Dunkin’ Donuts resulted in his first Super Bowl commercial appearance alongside Ben and Casey Affleck, Bill Belichick, and Jeremy Strong.
During an appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” Druski acknowledged the financial significance of this Super Bowl debut, describing it as particularly lucrative.
But he’s not done. Druski ventured into sports ownership in 2022, buying a stake in the Fan Controlled Football League. In 2025, he dropped his dating reality show, “Coulda Been Love.”
He’s also set to appear in the 2025 MLB All-Star Celebrity Game with Hall of Famer Terrell Owens and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, according to the Bleacher Report.
Looking ahead, Druski is preparing for his big screen debut in “The Diggers,” a film co-produced by his own company, 4lifers Entertainment. This venture represents another expansion of his brand, demonstrating his evolution from social media comedian to multimedia entrepreneur with a diversified portfolio spanning digital content, live entertainment, brand partnerships, and film production.
