Druski

Druski
Druski on the set of Coulda Been Love in 2025
Birth nameDrew Desbordes
Born (1994-09-12) September 12, 1994 (age 30)
Columbia, Maryland, U.S.
EducationGeorgia Gwinnett College Georgia Southern University (dropped out)
Years active2017–present
GenresComedy

Drew Desbordes (born September 12, 1994), known professionally as Druski, is an American comedian, actor, and influencer.[1] He is known for his sketch comedy, Coulda Been Records, and collaborations with various musicians in their music videos, including Jack Harlow,[2] Drake,[3] Lil Yachty, and others.[4]

Early life and education

Druski was born on September 12, 1994, in Columbia, Maryland, to Cheryl Desbordes, a worker at the Department of State, and David McLain Desbordes, a commercial pilot who previously served in the United States Air Force as a captain and in the National Guard as a Major.[5][6]

Desbordes' interest in comedy began after entertaining family members.[7] His family introduced him to the genre as a child, as his parents watched popular comedians on television, such as Cedric the Entertainer and Dave Chappelle.[8]

Desbordes graduated high school early. He then attended Georgia Gwinnett College before transferring to Georgia Southern University. He became depressed and stopped attending classes, instead watching YouTube videos. After two semesters, he dropped out. Desbordes was originally a sports analytics major and wanted to become a sportscaster, but later turned to comedy after being encouraged by his classmates.[9][8]

Career

On October 2, 2017, Desbordes began posting comedic skits and other comedic content on his Instagram account under the handle "druski2funn", now Druski.[10] In his early skits, he pretended to be a frat bro named Kyle Rogger, a ruthless record label executive, and other characters, such as Bubba Joe, garnering a wide audience.

Druski crossed paths with then rising artist Jack Harlow and began opening and hosting shows for him.[11] On October 22, 2020, Druski made a cameo as a school bus driver in the music video for Jack Harlow's song "Tyler Herro."[12] On March 9, 2020, he was featured on Lil Yachty's song "Oprah's Bank Account."[13] On August 13, 2020, Desbordes was featured in the music video of Drake's song "Laugh Now Cry Later" featuring Lil Durk.[14][15] Drew also appears in videos for Jack Harlow's song "Churchill Downs", featuring Drake, and Chlöe and Latto's music video for For the Night.[16]

In 2021, Diddy (through his Revolt) and Adidas announced a new series called Sneakin' In With Druski, with Desbordes as the host.[17] The series has featured people like Snoop Dogg, Teyana Taylor, and Yung Miami (from City Girls) since its launch.[18] That same year, Desbordes created the satirical label Coulda Been Records as a way for artists to come onto his Instagram Lives, usually resulting in him teasing them throughout their time on.[19] Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. struck up a friendship with Druski upon finding his videos, and invited the comedian to stay at his home during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] Druski was an opening act for J. Cole and 21 Savage's The Off-Season Tour throughout September and October 2021.[20] Also in October, Desbordes satirically offered Meek Mill to sign onto Coulda Been Records after Meek Mill said that he didn't get paid for his music.[21][22][23]

Desbordes opened for Chris Brown and Lil Baby on the One of Them Ones tour in the summer of 2022.[24] Desbordes launched his 4lifers entertainment company in 2023, which serves as the umbrella company for his business ventures. Those range from live touring, TV/Film/Web productions, merchandise, licensing, and Coulda Been Records.[25]

He headlined his first comedy tour, "Coulda Woulda Shoulda", in March 2023.[10] The tour featured a mixture of traditional stand-up comedy and live auditions as part of his Coulda Been Records series.

In March 2025, Desbordes was named in a sexual assault lawsuit against Sean Combs, in which the victim claims to have been violently assaulted by Combs in 2018.[26] Desbordes denied the allegations.[27]

Business ventures

Endorsements

Desbordes has appeared in a number of promotions. In April 2021, he appeared in the Squad Up The World | Call of Duty: Warzone Season 3 trailer, alongside Young Thug, Saweetie, Jack Harlow, Swae Lee and more.[28] Druski then appeared in Beats By Dre 'It's the Music' TV commercial in April 2021. In the fall of, 2021, Druski starred in Bud Light seltzer's national TV campaign and is currently a Bud Light ambassador, appearing in spots for their coverage of the Super Bowl, March Madness and the start of the NFL season.[10] In 2022, he starred alongside Jack Harlow in a TV commercial for KFC.[29] That year, Druski also appeared in commercial spots for AT&T and in 2023 was featured in a spot for the NBA All-Star Game and the NBA NBA draft. In 2022, Desbordes also appeared in the Google Pixel Anthem spot, alongside stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Candace Parker, Joel Embiid, Kelsey Plum, LaMelo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Green, Taylor Rooks, Richard Jefferson and Simu Liu. Druski continues to be a Google Pixel ambassador and stars in their latest TV commercial for the 2023 NBA Playoffs.[30]

Druski has also done commercial work for the likes of 2K Sports, Amazon, American Express, Fanatics, Inc., EA Sports, Meta, Mountain Dew, NBA, NFL, Pepsi, PrizePicks, QuikTrip, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, and Spotify.[31][32][33][34]

Druski has equity stake in Happy Dad Hard Seltzer, which he actively promotes across his content and live shows.[35]

Coulda Been Records

Desbordes launched Coulda Been Records in 2019, a satirical record label crafted for his Instagram Live talent-scouting show. Desbordes began the show in 2019 as a talent show where he sought out the best singers, dancers, rappers, and it "turned out to be shit." In a pivot, he renamed the project Coulda Been, and has turned it into a legitimate record label. While doing so, he studied the business craft of two inspirational figures, Suge Knight and Diddy. Coulda Been Records features Desbordes taking on a record label executive persona. Established artists and friends like Chloe Bailey, Drake, Jack Harlow, Ella Mai, Kodak Black, Chance the Rapper, Justin Bieber, Antonio Brown, 21 Savage, and Ice Spice frequently join Druski's streams while he looks for talent. Druski is now in production on Coulda Been Records Season 1, which will be an 8-10 episode series where contestants will compete to win a Coulda Been Records album deal.[36]

Television and film

Desbordes made his film debut in 2023, having a cameo in House Party. He played a supporting character in Praise This (2023), directed by Tina Gordon Chism.[37][38] Drew was featured in the final season of Grownish.

Personal life

Desbordes is Catholic.[39] He did Tang Soo Do, becoming a black belt, participated in annual Georgia Tech science camps, won a second-grade spelling bee, and played piano growing up. In a chat with comedian Tom Segura, Desbordes's mother praised his work ethic, saying "his resilience is his key. That's the key to Drew's success."[40]

Videography

List of music video appearances
Year Artist Title Role
2020 Lil Yachty and DaBaby featuring Drake "Oprah's Bank Account" Himself
2020 Drake featuring Lil Durk "Laugh Now Cry Later"
2020 Jack Harlow "Tyler Herro" Bus Driver
2022 Jack Harlow featuring Drake "Churchill Downs" Himself
2022 Chlöe and Latto "For the Night"

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Work Result Ref.
Dec 2024 The Streamer Awards Best Streamed Collab Sleepover Stream with Kai Cenat & Kevin Hart Won [41]

Tours

  • Coulda Woulda Shoulda (2023)

References

  1. ^ "25 Most Influential Creators of 2024". Rolling Stone. August 26, 2024. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  2. ^ Wicker, Jewel (September 27, 2021). "REAL FRIENDS: HOW DRUSKI AND Rosetta BECAME UNSTOPPABLE". Complex Networks.
  3. ^ Rose, Jordan (October 6, 2021). "Drake Jokes That Things Have Gone 'Downhill' Since 'CLB' Drop in Hilarious IG Live Chat With Druski". Complex Networks.
  4. ^ Easy, Claude J. (September 30, 2021). "How comedian Druski finessed an entire industry for jokes". Kulture Hub. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021.
  5. ^ "Capt David McLain Desbordes". Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  6. ^ "Druski's Family: Facts about the Comedian's Parents and Siblings". Earn The Necklace. September 28, 2021. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Blackburn, H. Drew (November 11, 2020). "From Viral Skits to Music Videos: Druski Is Hip-Hop's New Favorite Comedian". GQ.
  8. ^ a b Wicker, Jewel (September 27, 2021). "The Viral Life of Druski". Complex Networks.
  9. ^ Tambue, Louis (November 2, 2020). "Who is Druski? The internet comedian reminding us to laugh again". Kulture Hub. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c Elibert, Mark. "With Support From Jack Harlow & Drake, Druski Wants To Take His Comedic Chops to the Next Level". Complex. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  11. ^ Grobar, Matt (July 7, 2022). "'Stargirl's Anjelika Washington, Migos Frontman Quavo, Druski & Tristan Mack Wilds Among Final 14 Set For Universal's Youth Choir Comedy 'Praise This'". Deadline. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  12. ^ "Watch the Video for Jack Harlow's New Single "Tyler Herro"". Complex. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  13. ^ Campbell, Mahlik. "Watch: Lil Yachty, Drake & DaBaby in "Oprah's Bank Account"". Daquan. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  14. ^ "DRAKE DROPS NEW SINGLE 'LAUGH NOW CRY LATER' WITH LIL DURK". Rap-Up. August 13, 2020.
  15. ^ Skelton, Eric; McKinney, Jessica; Ritchie, Matthew (August 14, 2020). "6 Takeaways From Drake and Lil Durk's New Song "Laugh Now Cry Later"". Complex. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  16. ^ Paul, Larisha (October 28, 2022). "Chlöe and Latto Offer a Lifetime of Late Nights on New Single 'For the Night'". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  17. ^ Thorpe, Isha (March 29, 2021). "REVOLT and Adidas collab for new "Sneakin' In With Druski" show". Revolt. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  18. ^ Jefferson, Devon (April 17, 2021). "SNOOP DOGG, TEYANA TAYLOR, YUNG MIAMI STAR IN ADIDAS & REVOLT TV'S 'SNEAKIN' IN W/ DRUSKI'". HipHopDX.
  19. ^ Galindo, Thomas (December 27, 2021). "Druski Hosts Hilarious Try Outs For Coulda Been Records". HotNewHipHop.
  20. ^ "Druski Announced as Host of J. Cole's 'The Off-Season' Tour". The Source. September 21, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  21. ^ Elibert, Mark (October 28, 2021). "MEEK MILL GETS HILARIOUS OFFER FROM DRUSKI FOLLOWING LABEL RANT". HipHopDX.
  22. ^ Robinson, Joshua (October 27, 2021). "Druski Invites Meek Mill To Coulda Been Records In Response To Label Complaints". HotNewHipHop.
  23. ^ Rose, Jordan (October 27, 2021). "Druski Jokingly Responds to Meek Mill Publicly Airing Out Financial Issues With Label". Complex Networks. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  24. ^ Callas, Brad. "Druski Announces Dates for First Headlining Comedy Tour, Hosts Auditions for Supporting Talent". Complex. Complex Media, Inc. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  25. ^ Lynch, John. "Druski on staying 'that number one go-to guy for comedy,' and business advice from Drake". Business Insider. Insider Inc. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  26. ^ Aswad, Jem (March 10, 2025). "Odell Beckham Jr. and Druski Named in New Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sexual-Assault Lawsuit; Both Deny Involvement". Variety. Archived from the original on March 10, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  27. ^ "Odell Beckham Jr., Druski deny assault claims in Sean 'Diddy' Combs lawsuit". The Washington Post. March 10, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  28. ^ Mahadevan, Tara C. "Watch a Wild 'Call of Duty: Warzone' Season 3 Live Action Trailer f/ Young Thug, Gunna, Saweetie, and More". Complex. Complex Media Inc. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  29. ^ Cawthon, Haley. "Nimbus works with KFC, Jack Harlow on latest holiday ad campaign". The Business Journals. American City Business Journals. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  30. ^ Nudd, Tim (May 10, 2023). "GOOGLE PIXEL CONTINUES ITS NBA ADVENTURES WITH 'GREATEST WATCH PARTY' FILM". Adage. Crain Communications. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  31. ^ Sadler, Armon (December 23, 2022). "Sabrina Ionescu Stops By American Express X NBA 2K23 Gaming Lab, Talks Upcoming WNBA Season And Women's Empowerment". Yahoo. Vibe. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  32. ^ Grant, Shawn (February 13, 2023). "RUBIN-PALOOZA: MICHAEL RUBIN'S SUPER BOWL PARTY FEATURES PERFORMANCES FROM TRAVIS SCOTT, MEEK MILL, LIL BABY AND MORE". The Source. John Lewis Partnership. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  33. ^ Hiken, Asa. "Mtn Dew nets audio activation with basketball-themed podcast". Marketing Drive. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  34. ^ "MTN DEW® and RUFFLES® Present The Block at NBA® All-Star 2022". Bloomberg. Bloomberg. February 9, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  35. ^ Ward, Tom. "From YouTube Pranks To Beverage Moguls: The Nelk Boys And Shahidi Brothers' Happy Dad Hard Seltzer Is A Huge Success". Forbes. Integrated Whale Media Investments. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  36. ^ Blanchet, Brenton. "Ruski Is Serious About Coulda Been Records. Sort Of". Complex. Complex Media, Inc. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  37. ^ Lang, Cady (January 13, 2023). "All the Cameos You Might Have Missed in House Party". Time Magazine. Time USA, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  38. ^ Barnaby, Lane. "Comedian and 'Praise This' star Druski says appearing in his first major movie was 'mind-blowing': 'I thought it'd be years before I'd get my own trailer'". Insider. Axel Springer. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  39. ^ PodClips (April 3, 2024). Baptist vs Catholic #shorts #theovon #druski #christian. Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via YouTube.
  40. ^ YMH Studios (January 27, 2025). Druski STORMS Off The Podcast | 2 Bears, 1 Cave. Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via YouTube.
  41. ^ DeSena, Gabby (December 8, 2024). "Recap: All 2024 Streamer Awards Winners". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
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