Drew “Druski” Desbordes first grabbed the public’s attention creating comedic shorts on instagram. It wasn’t long before his videos started to go viral, catching the eyes of many celebrities, including the superstar, Drake. Drake contacted Druski personally to star in his “Laugh Now Cry Later” music video. “Laugh Now Cry Later” debuted during the height of the Covid 19 lockdown- a component that would prove key to Druski’s rise to one of the most recognizable comedians of the new generation. As everyone was quarantined in their homes, Druski produced short after short, making light of everyday characters within the Black community. Through our devices, Druski delivered joy within a time when many felt it was hard to find.

His early skits usually featured characters that were stereotypical “hood” tropes- from the “ghetto girl” patting her weave to a gangster getting out of jail and returning to his boys from the block. He quickly ventured out to portray people from all walks of life, leading to some controversy. His skit about Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, garnered attention from President Donald Trump. Trump allegedly denounced the skit and recommended Erika to sue. His skit about Black pastors wasn’t received well by all either, but as the saying goes, hit dogs will holler.

Despite the few that are not too fond of his content, Druski continues to prevail. His rise reflects an unprecedented transformation in American popular culture, where comedians no longer need traditional television networks or Hollywood studios to reach enormous audiences. In fact, the traditional platforms not only want Druski, they need him. This November, Druski’s will be the first content creator to host SNL, and with his scripted series deal with Netflix, he’s following in the footsteps of Issa Rae (Insecure- HBO) and Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary ABC).

Druski didn’t always know he would become a famous comedian. He said in an interview with Steven Bartlett (Dairy Of A CEO) that he was scamming while enrolled in college to make ends meet, but his background wasn’t exactly a hard knock life. His father, David Desbordes was a pilot. He served in the US Air Force before becoming a commercial pilot for United Airlines. Druski’s mother Cheryl Berry Desbordes, worked as a business consultant for the Center for Disease Control (CDC). David graduated from the prestigious HBCU, Howard University, while his mother completed her undergraduate at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The greatness in Druski’s family doesn’t stop there- as uncovered by the content creator/genealogist Ross Murph, who goes by MorfBoss online, the successful men and women within the branches of Druski’s family tree may arguably be just as significant as his comedy.

Druski’s family history extends deep into New Orleans, Louisiana, Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia, where many of his ancestors lived as Free People of Color for generations. He comes from a long line of Black Americans who pursued education, professional achievement, and economic opportunity, often while navigating the racial restrictions of their time. Druski’s paternal grandfather, Dr. Lionel Desbordes was the first Black Physician in the State of Maryland to pass the board in 1961. Lionel completed his undergraduate degree at Dillard University and obtained his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine. As an OB/Gyn, Dr. Desbordes delivered over 20,000 babies.

Druski’ paternal grandma, Myrtle McLain- was a Howard University educated nurse. Lionel Desbordes’s second wife was Black American sorority royalty, Geraldine Faithful. Her mother Myrtle Tyler, was the founder of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

Although Druski does not have any pastors in his immediate family, he is set to play one in the upcoming series slated for Netflix “Collect & Praise”. Comedian Mike Epps will play the deacon. Druski plans to keep the success & laughs coming- with SNL, Netflix, and his starring role alongside academy award winner Emma Stone & Star Trek’s Chris Pine, he is proving that he will continue to carry the torch of Black excellence for the Desbordes family. In times like these, we can all use a good laugh to keep joy & hope for a brighter future.