Social media is still in shock over the death of Malik Taylor, a Black beloved influencer and school teacher, who passed away unexpectedly at 28 years old on Wednesday (Aug. 20). The death of Taylor, who rose to fame in 2023 with his hilarious takes on pop culture, was confirmed in a Facebook post from his alma mater, Austin Peay State University’s Alpha Kappa Psi chapter, where he was also a member.
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Fans of Taylor shared their grief over his passing in the comment section of his TikTok. “Death is weird because what do you mean he didn’t know he’d be gone a few hours later?,” one person wrote. “Everyone loved your videos. Rest in peace Malik,” another added. A third fan of Taylor penned: “To find out the news through the comments at 5am is so unfortunate. RIP Malik ♥️. Thank you for your content!”
Taylor’s death is the latest in a string of Black creators and influencers who died extremely young. We’re taking a look at the stories of several who have passed lately.
Alysha Burney, described by her family as someone who loved writing and making movies, gained over a million followers on YouTube with her hilarious videos. The influencer also acted in short films and screenplays that she shared on her YouTube channel. Burney, owner of a production company called ABurneyProductions, died in her sleep while in Cabo San Lucas celebrating her 25th birthday in March 2025.
Lauren Smith-Fields – December 2021
Lauren Smith-Fields was a popular TikToker influencer from Bridgeport, Connecticut. In December 2021, she was found dead in her apartment after a date with a man she found on a dating app. She was 23. Her death was ruled an accidental overdose from a mix of drugs, alcohol and a prescription medication.
Malik Taylor – August 2025
Taylor, known online as “The Unpopular Party,” had just announced how he moved to Charlotte and how the “Queen City needed a king” on TikTok. He built a vast following online with his hilarious takes on pop culture, relatable humor and down-to-earth persona. The school teacher was 28.
Philip “P2istheName” Enewally – March 2025
The YouTube personality was found dead in a Los Angeles mailroom on March 14. He was reportedly preparing to move out of the city for Atlanta before his mother confirmed his death to TMZ. He had over four million followers on YouTube where he posted gaming videos and lifestyle vlogs. He was 26.
Carol Acosta – January 2025
Carol “Killadamente” Acosta was an influencer and musician who was an advocate of self-love and body positivity. She was known for her candid discussions about mental health and her experiences with bullying and motherhood. Acosta, who had amassed over six million followers online, died after choking on a meal during a dinner with her family in New York. She was 27.
Desmond “Etifa” Amofah – June 2019
The YouTuber became popular on social media with his enthusiastic reactions to Super Smash Bros. character trailers, playing video games on live streams and reaction to various games. Amofah was so popular he had accumulated over one million subscribers and 146 million views across his multiple YouTube channels. On June 20, 2019, Amofah jumped from the Manhattan bridge and drowned. He was 29.
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