Twitch streamer Kai Cenat hosted a game console giveaway Friday afternoon in New York City’s Union Square Park. The massive turnout of thousands of young people sowed chaos, with dozens of arrests after people threw fireworks, paint cans and other items.
Video from the scene showed fans clinging onto Cenat’s moving vehicle, and police said he was removed from the area for his safety.
Cenate, 21, was charged with riot, inciting to riot and unlawful assembly, police said.
As videos from the failed giveaway circulate on social media, here’s what to know about the streamer who drew the large crowd.
Who is Kai Cenat?
The Bronx native who currently resides in Atlanta is one of the most-subscribed streamers of all time on the Twitch platform.
Cenat got his social media start in 2018 on YouTube, where he posted reaction videos, vlogs and skits. He now has over 6 million followers on his Twitch account.
Cenat’s Twitch live streams feature him regularly talking directly to the “chat,” his viewers, gaming, and reacting emphatically to viral videos or new music releases.
In February, Cenat streamed 24/7 nonstop for 30 days in a row.
His viral social media stunts and humorous behavior have made him a favorite among Black celebrities and the hip-hop world. Rappers including Ice Spice, Lil Baby and 21 Savage have streamed with Cenat.
In one viral clip of his live stream, Cenat shows himself speaking to Drake on FaceTime.
The rising social media star has also influenced the lexicon of many young people by popularizing the term, “rizz,” or, in other words, one’s ability to seduce or flirt with others.
Diversity in the streaming world
In 2021, he joined forces with AMP, “Any Means Possible,” a collective of other Black content creators. Their channel puts an unbridled spin on familiar concepts such as a rap cypher, a “Dancing with the Stars” rendition, a dating video in the spirit of “The Bachelorette” and a “Fear Factor” challenge video.
In an interview…
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