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0 For nearly a decade, UK-based Ghanaian content creator Mcjoel Cudjoe, popularly known as 4everjoeyy, has been reshaping digital comedy through his unique blend of sharp satire, cultural commentary, and relatable storytelling.
With viral skits that regularly surpass a million views and collaborations with global brands like Nike and McDonald’s, Joey has cemented his position as one of Africa’s most influential digital creators.
From his early recognition by Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o to features on BuzzFeed and The Shade Room, Joey’s journey reflects both consistency and creative evolution.
His iconic “in-law of Bill Gates” persona and viral hits like “POV: Your Friend Just Joined the Gym” (25M+ views) showcase his ability to turn everyday scenarios into comedic gold while maintaining global appeal.
Beyond laughs, Joey’s work, spanning political satire, biblical reenactments, and social humor—has made him a marketing powerhouse, with over 370K Instagram and 220K TikTok followers.
Now, in this exclusive interview with culture journalist Kenneth Awotwe Darko, Joey reveals his creative process, brand collaboration philosophy, and vision for the future of digital comedy.
Here’s what ensued during the interview:
1. You’ve spent nearly a decade shaping digital comedy. How did you find your niche in blending humor with cultural commentary, and how has your content evolved since your early days?
I found my niche by leaning into my reality. My earlier content was more reactive and random, but over time, it’s become more intentional. I started by making content that reflected my experiences growing up Ghanaian, moving abroad, being part of different cultures and I noticed people connected most when it felt real.
Over the years, I’ve shifted from just being funny to being intentional. Now, I focus on intelligent comedy, the kind that still makes you laugh, but also makes you think. Whether I’m touching on identity, social norms, or politics, I like when someone watches a skit and goes, “Wait… that’s actually true.” The goal isn’t just virality anymore; it’s to create stories that spark both laughter and reflection.
2. What do you think makes your comedy so universally relatable, and which viral moment surprised you the most?
“I think it’s the way I tap into shared human experiences. I tell stories from my world, but I make sure they’re rooted in things everyone can feel: embarrassment, pride, confusion, joy. For example even if you’re not African, you know what it feels like to be misunderstood by parents or embarrassed in public. These are things people all over the world go through, regardless of where they’re from.
I also play a lot with nuance so even when I’m talking about something specific to Ghana or the diaspora, there’s always a deeper emotion or truth people can connect with. One viral moment that really surprised me was the “In-law of Bill Gates” skit. I was just having fun with the idea of false entitlement, and it ended up blowing up globally. That’s when I realized comedy doesn’t have to be loud or forced, if it’s honest and clever, it travels.“
3. Your skits, from biblical reenactments to political satire, require sharp wit and storytelling. Walk us through your creative process: How do you turn everyday scenarios into comedic gold?
“It usually starts with one silly “what if?” moment. This is one of the tactics I always use anytime I have a mental block. That allows you to think of scenarios people never think of . Like, “What if Judas Iscariot did a street interview?”
Then I sit with that idea and stretch it. I look for the layers the cultural undertones, the subtext, the double meanings. From there, I write the dialogue to feel real, like something you’d overhear on a bus or during FaceTime. I also try to twist the ending people know I love a good plot twist. That’s how I make it memorable.
4. One of your most memorable roles is the self-proclaimed “in-law of Bill Gates.” How do you develop these recurring characters, and do you have a personal favorite?
I actually don’t have a favorite character. Each one has its own moment and purpose and once it’s done what it needs to do, I move on. The “in-law of Bill Gates” stands out because it was just pure delusion and confidence — and that kind of bold, unnecessary entitlement is hilarious and oddly familiar to a lot of people. But honestly, none of my recurring characters are ever planned.
I don’t go in with the mindset of building a series. I just create freely. I experiment a lot and when the audience really connects with something, that’s what signals me to revisit it or build on it. It’s never strategic at first it’s instinctive. I hate being boxed in, so I give myself the freedom to try all types of comedy. And when something hits, I double down not because it’s trending, but because it still feels fun.
5. Your humor often highlights social and political issues. How do you balance satire with sensitivity, especially when tackling controversial topics?
For me, comedy is how I express myself and speak on things that matter. It’s not just about making people laugh it’s a way of showing concern and starting conversations. Yeah, it might come across as funny at first, but if you really watch, there’s usually a deeper truth in it. I’m intentional with what I say and how I say it. I don’t like attacking people I prefer to highlight the systems, behaviors, or mindsets we’ve normalized. That’s where I find the humor and the message. I also try to be mindful of timing. Some topics are still raw for a lot of people, so I approach them with care. If someone can laugh and then pause and say, “Wait, that’s actually true,” then I know I’ve done what I set out to do.
6. You’ve partnered with some major brands. How do you maintain authenticity while creating branded content, and what’s your key to making ads entertaining?
I always tell brands: “The audience comes first.” And also not all money is good money. If it doesn’t feel like something I’d actually post, I won’t do it. I always ask myself, “Would my audience still enjoy this if they didn’t know it was an ad?” That’s the standard. What’s worked for me is finding the humor in the product’s purpose not just promoting it, but building a storyline around it that’s entertaining on its own. Whether it’s a skit, a plot twist, or a parody, I make sure the ad blends into my world naturally. The best compliments I get are when people watch a brand deal and still forget it’s an ad because to me, that means I’ve done it right without losing myself in the process.
7. With such a strong digital presence, where do you see the future of online comedy heading? What mark do you hope to leave as Joey?
I think we’re moving into a space where comedy isn’t just about making people laugh, it’s about making them feel something too. People are drawn to creators who can entertain but also offer depth, originality, and a unique point of view. It’s no longer just about quick trends it’s about building something that lasts.
For me, I want to be remembered as someone who made intelligent comedy engaging and global the kind of content that’s funny, but also clever and thought-provoking. I’m definitely considering stand-up in the future, but only when the timing is right. I want it to feel natural, not forced. When I step into that space, I want it to hit just as hard as my skits sharp, honest, and unmistakably me.
8. You’ve built a loyal global fanbase. How do you stay connected with your audience, especially those back home in Ghana, and what’s the most rewarding part of being a content creator?
I’m very intentional about keeping my content rooted in home, even when I’m abroad. Whether it’s shooting in Ghana, using local slang, or referencing our culture it’s my way of saying, “I haven’t forgotten.”
The most rewarding part? I would say the networks and opportunities this gives you and also when someone messages me from a random part of the world saying, “You made my day” or “This reminded me of home.” That’s when I realize it’s bigger than views — it’s impact. It’s legacy. And it’s laughs that travel.
