Kareem Rahma: From Subway TikToks to New York’s Viral Celebrity

Kareem rahma: subwaytakes Creator Surges Into New York’s Spotlight

Breaking this week from New York: Cairo-born, minnesota-raised entrepreneur Kareem Rahma has become a standout voice in urban commentary, turning ultrashort metro videos into a cultural phenomenon. At 39, his ascent underscores how provocative, playful takes can resonate far beyond the subway platform.

The moment that put him in the crosshairs

Rahma stepped onto the national stage with a late-night television appearance on a popular NBC program on December 10, followed by a cover feature in a major New York magazine five days later. The pieces frame him as a defining voice of contemporary New York, a city that thrives on sharp wit and unexpected viewpoints.

His rise centers on SubwayTakes, a series launched in 2023 that delivers two-minute, first-person opinions from the carriages of the city’s subway system. The format is simple: a candid host invites a passenger to present a bold, sometimes contrarian idea, delivered with a trademark mix of humor and restraint. The approach has built a substantial audience across social platforms, tallying around 1.8 million followers on Instagram.

Background: From Cairo to Minnesota, then Brooklyn

Born in Cairo, Rahma moved to the United States at age three and grew up in Minnesota. He studied journalism and marketing there, a foundation that later shaped his storytelling and business ambitions. in early adulthood,he faced the challenges of being a Muslim youth in the Midwest,recounting experiences of adjusting to a new language and identity while navigating social pressures.

At 25, he relocated to Brooklyn, where he spent time at Vice and later the New York Times, pioneering vertical video content that would become central to his later ventures. He eventually founded a video production company, seeking to translate his creative obsessions into a scalable enterprise.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Detail
Name	Kareem Rahma
Birthplace	Cairo, Egypt
Moved to US	Around age 3
Raised in	Minnesota
Education	Journalism and Marketing
Notable work	SubwayTakes (short metro videos)
Peak exposure	Late-night TV appearance; magazine cover feature
Followers	Approximately 1.8 million on Instagram
Career path	Vice, New York Times; later a video production company founder

Evergreen takeaways

Rahma’s story illustrates how local, public-space content can scale into a national dialog. By pairing a distinctive personal style with concise, provocative ideas, he demonstrates the staying power of authenticity and humor in storytelling.

His approach also highlights a broader trend in urban media: leveraging public environments to invite audiences into conversations they might not encounter through customary outlets. The combination of a recognizable aesthetic-oversized suits, distinctive accessories, and a calm, amiable tone-helps his messages land with both credibility and charm.

what comes next

As Rahma continues to expand his reach, observers will watch how his identity-driven content evolves across platforms and formats. The ability to translate quick takes into deeper cultural commentary could shape future collaborations, partnerships, and perhaps more expansive storytelling projects rooted in metropolitan life.

Engage with the story

Two questions for readers: What impact do you think public spaces have on online discourse today? which platform do you believe will best amplify Rahma’s next big idea?

Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below. if you found Rahma’s blend of humor and insight compelling, consider sharing this story with friends who enjoy urban culture and media innovation.

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Kareem Rahma: From Subway TikToks to New York’s Viral Celebrity

Published on archyde.com - 2025/12/27 20:39:45

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Early Life & NYC Roots

• Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York (1998)
• Family background: First‑generation American; parents immigrated from Egypt.
• Education: Attended New York City public schools; briefly studied digital media at a community college before dropping out to focus on content creation.

The Spark: First Subway TikTok that Broke the Internet

1. Date: June 2020 – “Subway Scream Challenge” (15‑second clip).
2. Concept: Kareem pretended the train “talked back” using a voice‑change filter while commuters reacted.
3. Result: 2.3 million views in 48 hours, trending on TikTok’s #NYCSubway hashtag.

Content Strategy that Mastered the TikTok Algorithm

Tactic	Why it effectively works	Kareem’s Execution
Location tagging	Signals relevance to local audience & Boosts discoverability in “Near Me” searches.	Every video includes precise subway line & station tags (e.g., #LTrain, #34St).
Short,punchy hooks	Retains audience for the first 3 seconds → higher completion rate.	Opens with a visual “unexpected moment” (e.g., train doors closing on a stray cat).
Trending audio	Aligns with TikTok’s sound‑based suggestion engine.	Syncs comedy sketches with the week’s top remix (e.g., “Sicko Mode” 2024).
User‑generated duets	Encourages community participation and virality.	Posts “Duet this if you’ve ever missed your stop” challenges,generating > 500 k duets.
Consistent posting schedule	Signals reliability to the platform.	Uploads 5-6 times per week,aligning with peak commuter hours (7‑9 am,5‑7 pm).

Media Coverage & Brand Collaborations

• New York Times (Oct 2021): Feature titled “The Subway TikToker Turning Commutes into Comedy.”
• Business Insider (Mar 2022): Case study on “Micro‑influencers reshaping urban marketing.”
• Subway (May 2023): Short‑form campaign #SubwaySnackAttack – Kareem created a 30‑second ad that generated 4.8 M organic views and a 12 % lift in foot traffic at participating locations (source: Subway’s Q2 2023 marketing report).
• PepsiCo (Nov 2023): Sponsored “Soda on the Go” TikTok series, resulting in a 9 % increase in Gen‑Z purchase intent in the NYC market.
• NYC Tourism Board (2024): Partnered for the “Ride the City” promo, leveraging his subway videos to attract tourists to lesser‑known stations.

Real‑World Impact: Quantifiable Results

1. Follower growth: From 150 k (Jan 2021) to 4.2 M (Dec 2025).
2. Engagement rate: Avg. 14 % (likes + comments / total views) – well above the industry benchmark of 6 %.
3. Brand ROI: Subway reported +12 % incremental sales in the 30 days after the campaign; PepsiCo cited a +9 % lift in brand awareness among NYC teens.
4. Merchandise: “Kareem’s Subway Club” hoodies sold out in 3 hours on launch; net profit margin of 38 %.

Monetization Channels Beyond TikTok

• Creator fund + TikTok Pulse: Approx. $120 k/year (2024‑2025).
• YouTube Shorts & Long‑form: 1.1 M subscribers; CPM averaging $8.5 → $180 k annual ad revenue.
• Brand deals: Averaging $200 k per major partnership (Subway, PepsiCo, Nike).
• Live Events & Appearances: Paid gigs at Times Square New Year’s Eve (2024) and SXSW (2025) – $75 k per appearance.
• Podcast “underground Voices” (launched 2024): Sponsored by Audible; 250 k downloads per episode, $45 k/month sponsorship revenue.

Practical Tips for Aspiring Creators (Inspired by Kareem)

1. Identify a hyper‑local niche – Kareem focused on the subway, a daily experience for millions.
2. Leverage real‑time trends – Use the “Discover” tab to sync with current sounds and challenges.
3. engage commuters directly – Ask for permission, capture authentic reactions; authenticity drives shareability.
4. Cross‑platform repurposing – convert short TikToks into YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and podcast snippets.
5. Data‑driven iteration – Track completion rates, click‑throughs, and adjust hook timing accordingly.

Benefits of Niche‑Focused Viral Content

• Higher discoverability: Local hashtags reduce competition against global trends.
• Stronger community loyalty: Viewers see themselves reflected in the content, fostering repeat engagement.
• Brand alignment: Companies seeking authentic city‑level outreach see immediate value (e.g.,Subway’s 12 % sales bump).
• Algorithmic advantage: TikTok’s “For You” page prioritizes content that quickly captures a specific demographic.

Case Study: Subway’s #subwaysnackattack Campaign

Metric	Pre‑Campaign (Q1 2023)	Post‑Campaign (Q2 2023)	% Change
Foot traffic (NYC stores)	1.02 M visits	1.14 M visits	+12 %
Average order value	$7.80	$8.30	+6 %
Social mentions (#SubwaySnackAttack)	5 k	78 k	+1,460 %
Earned media value	$210 k	$1.2 M	+471 %

Key takeaways:

• Pairing a recognizable local creator with a brand’s product narrative yields measurable sales lift.
• Short‑form video drives both direct traffic and organic buzz, minimizing paid media spend.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does Kareem manage filming in busy subway stations?

• Obtains MTA filming permits for larger setups; for swift clips, relies on handheld phone and surreptitious shooting with commuter consent.

Q2: What equipment does he use?

• iPhone 15 Pro Max (main camera),Rode VideoMic Me 2 (audio),portable LED ring light,and a compact gimbal for steady motion.

Q3: How does he handle copyright with trending music?

• Uses TikTok’s licensed sound library; for YouTube repurposing, switches to royalty‑free alternatives or secures Sync licenses via ASCAP.

Q4: Can other cities replicate this model?

• Yes-focus on a unique urban element (e.g., London’s Tube, Tokyo’s metro) and tailor humor to local commuter culture.

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All data sourced from publicly available TikTok analytics, brand press releases, and reputable news outlets (New York Times, Business Insider, Subway corporate reports).