He’s 24 and quickly becoming an internet sensation while living out his wildest dreams. EB The Kid is here and he’s standing on business!
Full of energy and positive vibes, Ervé Bukasa (aka EB The Kid) slides into the studio for our early-morning cover shoot, ready to take on the day with a smile that lights up the entire room. We’ve seen the viral TikToks and controversial podcast discussions but meeting him in person is an entirely different experience. A great conversationalist and funny guy overall, it’s clear why he’s in the business of getting people to open up, have a laugh and take everything with a pinch of salt. We sat down with EB to pick his brain and find out more about his journey as a digital content creator, entrepreneur and muso…
Going with the flow
Although he’s very modest about how this all began, EB has amassed an audience of more than one-million followers across platforms, with 500K on TikTok, 141K YouTube subscribers and 17 million views. No small feat for someone who only truly started taking content creation seriously four years ago.
“Before I started YouTube, I had just finished high school [in 2018], with lots of uncertainty and lots of pressure from my family. I was doing odd jobs to pass the time while I decided what I wanted to do with my life, but I had always had a passion for journalism and learning about people; he says.
“One random day, a friend of mine had a camera on him and asked if I wanted to shoot a YouTube video, and the rest is history!”
Immersing himself in content creation during the Covid lockdown, EB began taking filming and video editing seriously, going onto campuses to ask students burning questions, and producing funny videos in Afrikaans – a choice that stood out, especially for someone of Congolese descent.
This linguistic twist not only showcased his versatility but also endeared him to a diverse South African audience eager for fresh and relatable content. He knew exactly how to take uncomfortable topics and situations and make light of them, teaching his audience how to not take life too seriously and find something positive to hold on to.
As hard as it is to believe, I can be very introverted at times, and I needed a way to display my personality and the things I’ve experienced in life to other people without being overbearing. And I thought, what better way than on camera?
“He can’t pinpoint the one exact moment when he realised his content was making a difference. “However, the countless messages I started to receive from people on social media (in early 2021), about how I helped them through difficult times, or how my content was a good escape for them after work or during study breaks, was when I noticed the impact of what I’d been doing.”
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Live & on the pulse
As his passion for storytelling grew, EB would draw inspiration from personal experiences, and his content began to reflect the challenges of everyday life. From comedy skits and vlogs to POVs and insights on the biggest scams in South Africa, he showcased a brilliant knack for blending humour with sharp social commentary.
“I think some things in life come naturally. I’ve been through phases where I’ve tried to be someone else, but I think there’s no better way of standing on business than by being yourself, and that’s how the humour comes so effortlessly; EB explains.
@ervebukasa These guys are dangeous 🤣 #ervebukasa ♬ original sound – ErvèBukasa
“Besides the humour, I do think that unpredictability plays a big role in keeping the energy going. People never know what to expect next and that allows me space to create a lot more intrigue.”
Recognising the potential to delve deeper into conversations and trending topics, EB expanded his horizons by launching ‘The Kid Show’ on YouTube in 2022. This podcast series quickly gained traction, featuring candid discussions with notable personalities like Nadia Jaftha, Dr Siya, Loyiso Gola and the late Costa Titch. Now, with more than 40 episodes, ‘The Kid Show’ has become a staple for those seeking authentic and unfiltered chats — and even an expose or two…
“I think I’m naturally very inquisitive, and sometimes I like to know more than I should!” he laughs. “That’s one of the reasons why I chose this genre [podcasts] as one of the elements of content that I produce.”
He admits that going global is a “big thing” for him. He wants to be one of the first South African-based YouTubers to take on the international YouTube market, and hopefully inspire others too… “As I always say: if my presence is anything on these platforms, then it is a testament that you can achieve anything if you believe in God and yourself.”
Mantra & mindset
Beyond the humour and personal anecdotes, EB embodies the ethos of ‘standing on business’. This mantra reflects his commitment to authenticity, consistency and professionalism in all his endeavours. Whether it’s producing content, engaging with fans or collaborating with brands, he approaches each with dedication and a business mindset.
“I think the business starts in the content you put out and how you do it. Treating your brand and content like a business is vital; the consistency in content and quality control can benefit you immensely:’ he explains.
“Having a clean brand that anyone wouldn’t mind attaching their name to is important. So, finding the sweet spot between treating your brand like a business and being real is 80% of the business side of content already.”
He underscores the importance of staying true to yourself, understanding your audience and delivering content that’s both entertaining and impactful.
“I just want to maintain and push content to the next level. There’s great potential and so many plans, which I do not want to reveal just yet.”
Recently, EB has branched out and taken the leap into the realm of music. Experimenting with blends of hip-hop, rap and melodious trapwave sounds, he released two singles last year — & Alexa’ and ‘Happy Now. With plans to expand his lyricism and get more music out there, we can’t wait to see him drop his first EP.
Beyond the screen
As his professional life flourishes, EB’s personal life has started a whole new chapter too. In December 2023, he and his partner, Jessica Diener, welcomed their first child (they do not share her name for privacy reasons).
This transition into fatherhood added another layer to his content, as he began sharing glimpses of his experiences as a new dad. Balancing the demands of content creation with parenting, some of EB’s clips these days show the joys and humorous challenges of raising a child, which not only endears him even more to his audience but resonates with many of them.
“I think it’s easier for my partner and I compared to a lot of new, young parents out there he says. “The fact that our work is so flexible, and doesn’t necessarily require us to go anywhere, plays a part in making balancing it all easier — even when we are working, we’re still with our daughter”.
As EB continues to evolve, his influence shows no signs of waning. With plans to explore new content formats, music, collaborations and to delve deeper into topics close to his heart, the future looks exciting.
“One thing I would say to my followers and the ClubX readers is that no one is coming to save us. It’s up to us to get up and stand on business to achieve what we want in life.”
Fast Facts
DOB: 23 August 2000
Age: 24
Star Sign: Virgo
Current Location: Cape Town
Q&A
- Celebrity Icon: British rapper Santan Dave
- Fashion Staple: A fitted cap
- Favourite Song: ‘Top Freestyle’ by Central Cee
- A Quote He Lives By: “Anybody can make it, but not everyone will make it.”
- Podcast Hack: Treating it like a conversation with a friend, not an interview
- Pet Peeve: Anywhere messy. I can’t work if my room or kitchen is not clean!
Keep up with Erve
Facebook: ervebukasa
Instagram: @ervebukasa
TikTok: @ErvèBukasa
Twitter: @EBTHEKID
By: Charndré Emma Kippie
Photography by: Zhann Solomons
Text courtesy of ClubX magazine
