Kai Cenat
Cenat in 2021
Personal information
Born
Kai Carlo Cenat III[1]

(2001-12-16) December 16, 2001 (age 22)
New York City, U.S.
EducationState University of New York at Morrisville
Occupations
Websitekaicenat.com
Twitch information
Also known asKC3
Channel
Years active2021–present
Genres
  • Gaming
  • Just Chatting
GamesGTA Online[2]
Followers8.3 million
Associated acts
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2018–present
GenreComedy
Subscribers4.96 million[3]
Total views312 million[3]
Associated actsAMP (Any Means Possible)
100,000 subscribers
1,000,000 subscribers
Last updated: December 18, 2023

Kai Carlo Cenat III (/ˈkaɪ sɪˈnæt/ KY sin-AT; born December 16, 2001) is an American online streamer and YouTuber. He is best known for his live streams and comedy-based content he uploads on YouTube. He is currently the second most-subscribed Twitch streamer and the 14th most followed Twitch streamer with approximately seven million followers, surpassing Ludwig Ahgren's record during a February 2023 subathon.[a][4][5] He was named "Streamer of the Year" at the 12th Streamy Awards and the 2023 Streamer Awards.[6]

Early life and education

Cenat has three other siblings, a younger brother named Kaleel,[7] an older brother named Devonte,[8] and a twin sister named Kaia.[9]

Cenat attended Frederick Douglass Academy for his secondary education. He graduated high school in 2019[10] and then attended the State University of New York at Morrisville in August 27, 2019,[11][12] to study Business Administration. He eventually dropped out in 2020[13] due to the struggle of keeping up with schoolwork and content creation.[14][15]

Career

Cenat uploaded his first YouTube video on January 13, 2018,[16] and began making videos surrounding pranks and challenges.[17] He joined the YouTube group AMP (Any Means Possible) after being discovered by fellow Bronx-born YouTuber Fanum. He started regularly appearing in the channel's videos. He began streaming on Twitch in February 2021 after migrating from YouTube, broadcasting gaming and reaction content.[18]

Cenat had an acting role in the trailer for Polo G's June 2022 single "Distraction".[19] On May 8, 2022, Cenat released his debut single "Bustdown Rollie Avalanche" with NLE Choppa.

In 2022, Cenat began including celebrity guests on his streams, including Bobby Shmurda in April,[20] Lil Baby in October, and 21 Savage in November, who helped him receive his highest viewership at the time with 283,245 concurrent viewers at its peak.[21]

In October 2022, Cenat was nominated for the 12th Streamy Awards in the "Streamer of the Year" and "Breakout Streamer" categories, winning the former in December.[22][23][24]

On January 31, 2023, Cenat began a month-long subathon. On February 28, 2023, he became the most-subscribed Twitch streamer of all time, reaching 306,621 subscribers at its peak.[25] On March 11, 2023, Cenat won "Streamer of the Year" at the 12th Streamer Awards.[26]

In March 2023, Cenat was reported to be making approximately $23,280 per month from his sleep streams, resulting in an annual income of $285,480. According to Streams Charts, his sleeping broadcasts have amassed over 5.6 million hours watched, showcasing the significant viewer engagement during these streams.[27]

On April 17, 2023, Cenat was temporarily suspended on Twitch for reasons undisclosed, though he eventually returned, with him initially noting it as a permanent ban in error.[28]

In May 2023, Cenat announced a livestreamed show with IShowSpeed exclusively on Rumble, titled the Kai 'N Speed Show.[29]

In October 2023, Cenat made his music video directorial debut with American rapper a Boogie wit da Hoodie.[30]

2023 Union Square riot

Main article: 2023 Union Square riot

On August 4, 2023, Cenat announced a giveaway of PlayStation 5 consoles and gift cards, in Union Square, Manhattan with Twitch streamer Fanum. Thousands of his followers appeared at the impromptu event, which soon spiraled out of control and devolved into a riot. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) mobilized forces in the area as a large group swarmed a Best Buy and other businesses in the area.[31] Cenat was arrested by the NYPD for inciting civil unrest; police also made 65 other arrests.[32][33][34] He was later charged by the NYPD with first-degree rioting, inciting a riot, and unlawful assembly.[34]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Cenat
Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2022 12th Streamy Awards Streamer of the Year Won [24]
Breakout Streamer Nominated
2023 The Streamer Awards Streamer of the Year Won [35]
The Esports Awards Streamer of the Year Nominated [36]

Discography

Singles

List of singles
Title Year Album
"Bustdown Rollie Avalanche"
(featuring NLE Choppa) 		2022 Non-album single
"Dogs"[37]
(with IShowSpeed) 		2023 Non-album single

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"The End of the Road Begins - Intro"[38] 2023 — Fast X (Official Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2023 Good Burger 2 Disgruntled Customer Guest appearance

Music Videos

Year Title Artist(s) Role
2020 "Shoot" Adot Himself
2022 "Distraction" Polo G
"Just Wanna Rock" Lil Uzi Vert
"Plenty" FaZe Kaysan feat. Nardo Wick, G Herbo, Babyface Ray & BIG30

Notes

  1. ^ A subathon is a type of stream where the broadcast continues so long as viewer donations are made.

References

  1. ^ Shanahan, Ed; Parnell, Wesley (August 4, 2023). "YouTube Streamer Faces Riot Charge After Union Square Park Erupts in Chaos". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  2. ^ Miceli, Max (September 28, 2022). "A streamer you may not have heard of is quickly rising up Twitch's subscription rankings". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "About Kai Cenat". YouTube.
  4. ^ "Twitch Streamer Kai Cenat Breaks Platform's Subscription Record". Bloomberg.com. March 1, 2023. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  5. ^ "Twitch Streamer Kai Cenat Bodies Subscriber World Record During Black History Month". Kotaku. March 1, 2023. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  6. ^ Shaukat, Rahman (March 12, 2023). "Kai Cenat Wins Streamer of the Year Award". Game Rant. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  7. ^ CUTTING MY LITTLE BROTHERS HAIR OFF PRANK!!! *GONE WRONG*, archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  8. ^ DESTROYING MY OLDER BROTHERS TV PRANK!! *GETS HEATED*, archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  9. ^ CALLING MY TWIN SISTER THE "B" WORD PRANK!! *GONE WRONG*, archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  10. ^ THINGS WE HATE ABOUT SCHOOL!!(DOMINO'S MUKBANG!), archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  11. ^ I FINALLY MOVED INTO COLLEGE!!! *ROOM TOUR*, archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  12. ^ Muriithi, Samuel (December 8, 2021). "Kai Cenat's biography: age, height, birthday, girlfriend, college". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  13. ^ Kai Cenat | Before They Were Famous | YouTube Legend from The Bronx, archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  14. ^ I Dropped Out Of College..., archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  15. ^ How Kai Cenat got his start on youtube...and joined AMP!, archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  16. ^ My First Youtube Video!!(Introduction), archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  17. ^ EXTREME DING DONG DITCH!!! *COLLEGE EDITION*, archived from the original on February 13, 2023, retrieved February 13, 2023
  18. ^ Tsiaoussidis, Alex (September 13, 2022). "Who is Kai Cenat and how did he get famous in the Twitch streaming world?". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  19. ^ Williams, Aaron (May 26, 2022). "Polo G Announces His New Single 'Distraction' With A Comedic Trailer". Uproxx. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  20. ^ Elibert, Mark (April 8, 2022). "Bobby Shmurda Finally Finds a Dance Move He Can't Do". HipHopDx. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  21. ^ Tsiaoussidis, Alex. "Kai Cenat just keeps bowling over Twitch records and this time 21 Savage helped". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  22. ^ Hipes, Patrick (October 27, 2022). "Streamy Awards Nominations: MrBeast Tops List Again". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  23. ^ Philips, Zoe (October 27, 2022). "2022 YouTube Streamy Awards: The Complete List of Nominations (Exclusive)". CBS8. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Grein, Paul (October 27, 2022). "Post Malone, Hailey Bieber & More Among 2022 YouTube Streamy Awards Nominees". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  25. ^ "Twitch Streamer Kai Cenat Breaks Platform's Subscription Record". Bloomberg.com. March 1, 2023. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  26. ^ Shaukat, Rahman (March 12, 2023). "Kai Cenat Wins Streamer of the Year Award". Game Rant. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  27. ^ "Kai Cenat makes over $23,000 a month from sleeping on stream". New Pittsburgh Courier. March 26, 2023. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  28. ^ "Twitch: Kai Cenat banned from streaming platform". BBC News. April 18, 2023. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  29. ^ "Kai Cenat And IShowSpeed Announce New Livestream Show On Rumble". Blavity. May 17, 2023. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023 – via Yahoo.
  30. ^ "A Boogie Wit da Hoodie - Did Me Wrong [Official Music Video]". YouTube. October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  31. ^ Shanahan, Ed; Parnell, Wesley (August 4, 2023). "YouTubers' PlayStation Giveaway Causes Chaos in Union Square Park". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  32. ^ "Twitch streamer's giveaway event sparks chaos in Manhattan; police try to contain thousands". WNBC. August 4, 2023. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  33. ^ "Twitch streamer Kai Cenat in custody after NYC console giveaway causes chaos at Union Square park". NBC News. August 4, 2023. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  34. ^ a b Mayorquin, Orlando; Medina, Eduardo (August 6, 2023). "What We Know About the Chaos Caused by a Twitch Star's Giveaway". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  35. ^ Snavely, Adam (March 11, 2023). "Streamer Awards 2023: All results and winners for every category". Dot Esports. Gamurs. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  36. ^ "Esports Awards 2023 | Esports Awards". December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  37. ^ Dogs - Single by IShowSpeed & Kai Cenat, April 27, 2023, archived from the original on April 28, 2023, retrieved April 29, 2023
  38. ^ The End of the Road Begins - Intro, May 19, 2023, archived from the original on May 19, 2023, retrieved May 19, 2023

External links

Streamy Awards winners – Channel, Series, or Show
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