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DeStorm Power
DeStorm Power
DeStorm Power
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DeStorm Power (/ˈdeɪstɔːrm/ DAY-storm) is an American musician and Internet personality who began his career on YouTube.

Key Information

Life and career

[edit]

The fourth of eight siblings, Power was born in Arlington County, Virginia and raised in Baltimore, Maryland by his mother, who left his father early in his life.[1][2] Frequently moving schools, he dropped out of school in the ninth grade, and was regularly sent to juvenile detention for various petty crimes before he began dancing and rapping. Motivated by the birth of his son Tayvion, as well as the local success of his song "Weed", which featured one of his brothers, Power moved from Baltimore to New York to California to pursue a career in music in 2001, where he spent time homeless before being handed a business card by a talent scout. After interning and ghostwriting at Atlantic Records, Universal and various other record labels,[3] Power set out to establish himself as a performer, using YouTube as a platform to share his singing, songwriting and production skills with the online community.[4] Power's videos are typically comedic, and also often incorporate rapping and beatboxing.[5] He was an accomplished triple jumper and Master personal trainer, and was notably invited to the Olympic Trials.[3] Power appeared as Mr. T in the first season of Epic Rap Battles of History[6] from which he achieved a gold record. In 2008 he lost his mother Mashala to stomach cancer. He moved to Los Angeles, California in 2011, where he joined his manager Sara Pena and started Big Frame, a Multi Channel Network and founded Forefront.TV, which focuses on urban lifestyle and music.[7][8] Power moved on to Paradigm Talent Agency for his acting career, and then William Morris Endeavor, before deciding to go independent. In August 2015, Power hosted the reboot of MTV's Punk'd with co-host King Bach, which aired on BET.[9] He is a founder and president of The Zeus Network which launched July 13, 2018 [10] He is a 2011 American Music Awards honoree and was nominated for seven Streamy Awards, winning four. He was Emmy Nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series in 2018 for his original creation Caught The Series.[11]

YouTube career

[edit]
Power has portrayed and rapped as American actor Mr. T (left), American rapper Kanye West (center) and Zulu monarch Shaka (right) for Epic Rap Battles of History.

DeStorm Power

[edit]

Power's YouTube channel, registered under the username DeStorm in 2006, has more than 3.06 million subscribers as of November 2022, and it is used primarily for his musical endeavors. The videos on the channel have been viewed over 568 million times. "Wuz Up World? (What's up World?)"—DeStorm's catch phrase—can be heard at the start or end of every video. DeStorm often composes and performs covers or Beatbox covers of well known songs or creates content for major brands such as Pepsi, GE, Yahoo and Nintendo. DeStorm also creates original content based upon subscribers' challenges and suggestions such as rapping in alphabetical order[12] or name dropping various movie titles in a rap.[13] Power occasionally collaborates with other popular YouTube personalities and recording artists such as Mystery Guitar Man, Freddie Wong, Ray William Johnson,[14] Nice Peter and Kina Grannis. One of Power's most popular series on the channel is Rap Up, which Power began in 2009.[15] Power also competed in a commercial contest hosted by Heinz Ketchup and was a finalist.[5] Despite the success of his YouTube channel, Power announced in 2013 that his next major song release will be televised on MTV.[16] In April 2013, Power authored an op-ed on New Media Rockstars, detailing his concerns with the broken view counter on his DeStorm channel. He also won two comedy awards. Power was also featured as a headliner on the Digitour in the summer of 2010, in which he and other YouTubers traveled around the country performing their songs from YouTube.[17] In 2014, Power was listed on New Media Rockstars Top 100 Channels, ranked at #85.[18]

Caught Series

[edit]

On 9 April 2017, Power started a minute long series on Instagram called Caught. The series later would be aired on YouTube and Facebook. This involves DeStorm facing problems with his girlfriend, his side-chick, his friends, enemies and others. Every Sunday, this series ends with a cliffhanger. Caught the Series was nominated for an Emmy Award and four Streamy Awards, winning two. Season 2 launched on July 13, 2018, on The Zeus Network, an SVOD streaming platform founded by DeStorm Power, King Bach, Amanda Cerny and Lemuel Plummer. The series includes celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, King Bach, Lamorne Morris, Alphonso McAuley, Lele Pons, Reedo Brown, Bradley Martin, Leli Hernandez, Janina, Taylor Stevens, Klarity, LianeV and many more.

Notable videos and collaborations

[edit]
TitleArtistUpload date (YouTube)
"Refresh the World"DeStorm PowerAugust 10, 2010 (2010-08-10)
A video song created for the Pepsi Refresh the World Project, currently[when?] being aired on MTV, BET, and VHI. The instrumentation was made using solely the sounds created by Pepsi cans, boxes, etc.
"AMA's SONG"DeStorm PowerOctober 3, 2010 (2010-10-03)
A video song commissioned specially for the 2010 American Music Awards. In this video, Power raps about the year's nominees.
"Get Crackin' with Wonderful Pistachios Commercial"DeStorm PowerOctober 14, 2009 (2009-10-14)
Power's winning submission to the Wonderful Pistachios Get Crackin' contest
"Tag Your Green!"DeStorm PowerOctober 4, 2010 (2010-10-04)
A video song for the General Electric Tag Your Green project promoting environmental responsibility.
"Airplanes – BoB & Hayley Williams of Paramore (Boyce Avenue & DeStorm cover)"DeStorm Power, Boyce AvenueJanuary 14, 2011 (2011-01-14)
An acoustic cover of the song "Airplanes" by B.o.B with Boyce Avenue.
"Power Hour – Kanye West Parody"DeStorm Power, Freddie WongAugust 18, 2010 (2010-08-18)
A song and video parody of the song "Power" by Kanye West with Freddie Wong.
"Making BLING Sexy!"DeStorm Power, VassyAugust 23, 2010 (2010-08-23)
A song and video collaboration with the Australian R&B singer Vassy.
"Household Jam Session (MysteryGuitarMan and DeStorm)"DeStorm Power, Joe PennaNovember 24, 2009 (2009-11-24)
A song and video collaboration with Joe Penna, also known as Mystery Guitar Man, using random household objects.
"Finally Free ft. Talib Kweli"DeStorm Power, Talib KweliNovember 28, 2011 (2011-11-28)
A rap song with a smooth hook featuring Talib Kweli. This song depicts hardships we come across during our lives and DeStorm making it so far and being finally free.
"Mr. T vs. Mr. Rogers"[19]DeStorm Power, Nice PeterSeptember 14, 2011 (2011-09-14)
In the 13th episode of Youtube series Epic Rap Battles of History, Mr. T and Mr. Rogers face each other in a rap battle. DeStorm played Mr. T and series creator Nice Peter played Mr. Rogers.
"Larry King Challenges DeStorm"[20]DeStorm PowerAugust 2, 2012 (2012-08-02)
Larry King appeared in a 2012 video where he rapped with DeStorm as a promotion for his new show Larry King Now.
"Pocket Like It's Hot – Snoop, DeStorm & Andy Milonakis"Snoop LionOctober 10, 2012 (2012-10-10)
A promotion for Hot Pockets featuring Snoop Lion satirizing his classic "Drop It Like It's Hot" with DeStorm Power and Andy Milonakis.
"Donald Trump vs. Ebenezer Scrooge"[21]DeStorm Power, Nice PeterDecember 19, 2013 (2013-12-19)
In the 39th episode of Youtube series Epic Rap Battles of History, Donald Trump and Ebenezer Scrooge face each other in a rap battle. DeStorm cameos as rapper Kanye West.
"Shaka Zulu vs. Julius Caesar"[22]DeStorm Power, Nice PeterJuly 20, 2015 (2015-07-20)
In the 56th episode of Youtube series Epic Rap Battles of History, Shaka Zulu and Julius Caesar face each other in a rap battle. DeStorm played Shaka Zulu and series creator Nice Peter played Julius Caesar.

Be Careful

[edit]

A mixtape by DeStorm, Be Careful, was released May 1, 2012.[23] Blais, Lone Monk, Christopher Charles, Alex J and Owen Hill Jr. were among the album's producers.[24]

Be Careful
Mixtape by
DeStorm
ReleasedMay 1, 2012 (2012-05-01)
GenreHip Hop
Length48:28
LabelBig Frame
Singles from Be Careful
  1. "Finally Free"
    Released: November 28, 2011
  2. "Love Signs"
    Released: February 15, 2012
No.TitleLength
1."Champion"3:35
2."My Grind"3:48
3."3-Minute Workout!"3:09
4."Instagram"3:12
5."Anything You Want (feat. Christian Caldeira)"3:39
6."Baddest Mutha"3:37
7."Selfish"2:50
8."Love Signs"3:29
9."See Me Standing (feat. Alexandra Govere)"4:04
10."The Background"3:27
11."Hold That Pose"3:17
12."Finally Free (feat. Talib Kweli)"3:46
13."Protest"3:26
14."Watch Me 2012 (feat. Razi)"3:46
15."Love All The Way"2:36

Initially, the album was released in digital and physical CD form; additionally, limited-edition USB keys with the album preloaded onto them were sold soon after release, which were previously only available at a private launch party for the album.

King Kong

[edit]

A mixtape by DeStorm, King Kong, was released February 3, 2013.

King Kong
Mixtape by
DeStorm
ReleasedFebruary 3, 2013 (2013-02-03)
GenreHip Hop
Length48:20
LabelBig Frame
Singles from King Kong
  1. "King Kong"
    Released: November 26, 2012
No.TitleLength
1."King Kong"3:38
2."Let Em Talk"3:31
3."All Right"3:02
4."Invincible (ft. Ray William Johnson & Chester See)"3:26
5."Dream Bigger"3:11
6."Money In My Pocket"4:00
7."Scattin' On Me (ft. Kreesha Turner)"3:01
8."Pole Position"3:38
9."Fuckin' Wit Me (ft. Koowplayy & Kreesha Turner)"4:00
10."Cameras (ft. Streetlight, Page Kennedy & Chester See)"4:18
11."Cheques"2:56
12."Smoking on a J"3:15
13."Magic"3:46
14."You are a Star (ft. The Arnats)"3:18

Caught Series

[edit]

An album by DeStorm, Caught Series, was released August 17, 2017. It is the soundtrack album for his web series, Caught.

Caught Series
Soundtrack album by
DeStorm Power
ReleasedAugust 17, 2017 (2017-08-17)
GenreSoundtrack
Length21:13
LabelWuz Up World Inc.
ProducerOwen Hill Jr.
No.TitleLength
1."Caught Series, Pt. 1"0:57
2."Caught Series, Pt. 2"0:58
3."Caught Series, Pt. 3"0:57
4."Caught Series, Pt. 4"0:56
5."Caught Series, Pt. 5"1:00
6."Caught Series, Pt. 6"0:58
7."Caught Series, Pt. 7"0:58
8."Caught Series, Pt. 8"0:58
9."Caught Series, Pt. 9"0:58
10."Caught Series, Pt. 10"0:59
11."Caught Series, Pt. 11"1:02
12."Caught Series, Pt. 12"1:10
13."Caught Series, Pt. 13"1:00
14."Caught Series, Pt. 14"1:01
15."Caught Series, Pt. 15"1:10
16."Caught Series, Pt. 16"1:10
17."Caught Series, Pt. 17"0:58
18."Caught Series, Pt. 18"1:10
19."Caught Series, Pt. 19"1:13
20."Caught Series, Pt. 20"1:40

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Outcome Ref
2011 American Music Awards New Media Honoree (Male) Himself Won [25]
2013 Streamy Awards Best Web Musician DeStorm Power on YouTube Channel Nominated [26]
YouTube Music Awards Innovation of the Year "See Me Standing" Won [27]
2014 Streamy Awards Vine Comedian "Himself" Won [28]
2017 Streamy Awards Acting in a Drama Caught the Series Won [29]
Ensemble Cast Caught the Series Nominated [29]
Drama Series Caught the Series Nominated [29]
Writing Caught the Series Won [30]
2018 Creative Arts Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Actor In A Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Caught the Series Nominated [31]
Streamy Awards Writing Caught the Series Won [32]
Ensemble Cast Caught the Series Nominated [32]
Drama Series Caught the Series Nominated [32]
Acting in a Drama Caught the Series Nominated [32]
2021 Streamy Awards Indie Series "The Blues" (by DeStorm Power) Nominated
Scripted Series "The Confession Game" (by DeStorm Power) Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

DeStorm Power

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
DeStorm Power (born January 30, 1982) is an American rapper, actor, comedian, and internet personality renowned for his comedic videos and music content on platforms like YouTube and Vine.
Power rose to fame in the mid-2000s by uploading humorous sketches, song parodies, and challenge-based videos to his self-titled YouTube channel, which amassed millions of views and established him as a pioneer in digital entertainment.
Born in Arlington County, Virginia, and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, after early struggles in the music industry, he transitioned to online content creation, earning multiple Streamy Awards for his innovative work, including wins in 2014 and 2017.
In 2017, Power created and starred in the hip-hopera web series Caught, for which he received a 2018 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.
Expanding into entrepreneurship, he co-founded the Zeus Network in 2018 alongside King Bach, Amanda Cerny, and Lemuel Plummer, a subscription-based streaming platform focused on original content from digital creators. In March 2025, Power accused Plummer of financial misconduct and scamming the co-founders.

Early life

Childhood and family background

DeStorm Power was born on January 30, 1982, in , as the fourth of eight siblings. He was primarily raised in , , where the family resided in the projects amid significant financial hardships. Following his parents' separation early in his life, Power grew up under the care of his single mother, who supported the large family on limited means. This unstable environment marked his early years, fostering resilience amid challenges like and frequent disruptions in daily life. From a young age, Power developed a passion for and entertainment, influenced by the vibrant local hip-hop scene and his involvement in church activities, which introduced him to creative expression through song and performance. These elements shaped his artistic inclinations, setting the foundation for his later pursuits despite the difficulties of his upbringing.

Education and early interests

Power faced significant instability during his formative years, frequently changing schools due to evictions and family relocations across , which ultimately led him to drop out of high school in the ninth grade amid personal challenges including legal troubles. Despite these obstacles, his talent in emerged early; at around age 15, he received a to the , a prestigious institution known for alumni like and , where he honed skills in and . At the school, Power explored his artistic passions through structured training, but financial hardships forced him to leave before completing his studies. To support himself, he began creating commissioned works such as church murals depicting scenes like the and portraits of notable figures, often for local churches and community centers, which provided income while fostering his creative expression. This period marked the blending of his visual art interests with emerging musical pursuits, reflecting a shift toward music as an outlet amid his artistic endeavors. Determined to professionalize his music ambitions, Power relocated from to in 2001 at age 19, where he initially faced , living in abandoned buildings and subways while interning and ghostwriting for labels like and Universal. He worked as a certified and produced early workout videos.

Online career

YouTube beginnings and rise

DeStorm Power launched his YouTube channel, under the username DeStorm, on April 26, 2006, marking the beginning of his online presence as a content creator. Initially, his videos focused on music covers and parodies, including remixes of viral hits such as "Pants on the Ground" and "Climbing in yo Window," which capitalized on trending searches to build early visibility. This approach emphasized humor and musical creativity, drawing from his background in music developed during his youth in Baltimore. Power introduced his signature "challenge" series, an interactive format where subscribers suggested themes for songs and raps, resulting in engaging content like alphabetical raps or limited-word remixes of popular tracks. These videos fostered community participation and showcased his improvisational skills, contributing to viral hits that expanded his audience through shares and collaborations with other emerging YouTubers of similar size. The series highlighted his comedic timing and adaptability, setting the stage for broader recognition on the platform. Power's channel reached 1 million subscribers in , establishing him as one of the platform's early creators with widespread viral appeal amid a growing of diverse voices. By mid-, his subscriber count had climbed to 1.4 million, fueled by consistent uploads, brand partnerships, and cross-promotions that amplified his reach. As an original viral star, he demonstrated innovative content strategies that resonated globally. Over time, Power's content evolved from primarily sketches and musical parodies to incorporate motivational speaking, reflecting his personal growth and desire to inspire viewers on topics like perseverance and . Videos such as his 2016 track "" and speaking segments blended entertainment with uplifting messages, broadening his appeal. By 2025, the channel had amassed over 3 million subscribers, underscoring the enduring impact of this diversified style, with ongoing uploads including and challenges.

Vine era and social media expansion

DeStorm Power joined shortly after its launch in 2013, leveraging his existing audience to rapidly build a presence on the short-form video platform. His content primarily consisted of quick skits and snippets, which resonated widely and garnered millions of loops per video, establishing him as one of the platform's top creators. By mid-2015, Power had amassed 5.6 million followers on , ranking among the top 20 global Viners and contributing to the platform's skit-driven entertainment culture alongside peers like . This success peaked just before 's shutdown in October 2016, during which Power participated in a high-profile creator meeting with executives to advocate for its continuation. Following his Vine breakthrough, Power expanded his reach to Instagram and Twitter (now X), where he posted teasers, interactive fan engagements, and promotional clips to drive traffic back to his longer-form YouTube videos. These platforms allowed him to maintain momentum from Vine's short-form style while fostering a more direct connection with audiences through challenges and Q&A sessions. His strategic cross-posting helped integrate his multi-platform strategy, amplifying visibility without diluting his core comedic voice. Power's collaborations with fellow Viners and YouTubers further accelerated his growth, including crossover skits and challenges with creators such as , , and Klarity, which formed part of an influential "crew" of about 10 top talents. These partnerships not only boosted individual video loops into the tens of millions but also expanded his overall audience, culminating in over 12 million followers across by late 2017. After Vine's demise, Power pivoted to emerging platforms like and , adapting his content to include motivational messages on success and creativity alongside behind-the-scenes glimpses into his projects. On , under @destormpower, he shared ephemeral updates starting as early as 2015, building to over 460,000 subscribers as of November 2025. Similarly, his account (@destorm) grew to 9.4 million followers as of November 2025, featuring a mix of humorous skits, inspirational advice, and production insights that sustained his relevance through 2025.

Music career

Breakthrough viral songs

DeStorm Power released his debut mixtape Be Careful in May 2012, marking his entry into the music scene with a collection of tracks that blended hip-hop rhythms, comedic elements, and narrative storytelling, often produced using low-budget visual effects typical of his background. The project established his signature style, drawing from his online persona to create accessible, entertaining content that resonated with his growing digital audience. Following the success of Be Careful, Power issued the King Kong in February 2013, a high-energy hip-hop release parodying themes of fame and excess through exaggerated lyrics and cinematic visuals, including planned music videos featuring astronauts and other creative elements. The garnered over 10,000 downloads shortly after launch and received media coverage for its collaborations with stars like and Chester See, amplifying its reach. These early releases significantly expanded Power's fanbase, transitioning his YouTube following into music listeners.

Albums and later releases

In 2011, Power released the single Fight To Win, a collaboration with animated group Your Favorite Martian, emphasizing motivational themes through its title track and blending rap with upbeat production to inspire perseverance. In 2013, Power issued the single Invincible, incorporating electronic and pop elements alongside collaborations with internet personalities Ray William Johnson and Chester See on the lead single. This release showcased his evolving sound, shifting toward more polished, genre-blending tracks that highlighted resilience and triumph. The following year, Victory Dance (2014), featuring rapper T-Coles and drawing on pop influences for an energetic, celebratory vibe centered on personal achievement. Power expanded his 2012 single "King Kong" into a full of the same name in 2013, transforming the boastful hip-hop track into a comprehensive production with 14 songs exploring themes of dominance and self-assertion. The -style release included reworked elements from prior work, such as elements echoing Invincible, and solidified his hip-hop roots with raw . That same year, Power released the Caught Series soundtrack, a 20-track hip-hopera directly tied to his of the same name. Composed as narrative-driven songs, it featured interconnected pieces like "Caught Series, Pt. 1" through "Pt. 20," with standout tracks such as "" advancing the story's dramatic plot through rhythmic and ensemble performances. In 2024, Power released the singles "Beautiful Girl" and "A Good Day," continuing to blend hip-hop with motivational and upbeat themes.

Acting and production

Web series and Caught

In 2017, DeStorm Power created, wrote, directed, and starred in , a musical dubbed a "hip-hopera" that follows a rapper desperately evading a machete-wielding psychopath and vengeful jilted lovers after being caught cheating. Released initially as 20 one-minute episodes on platforms including , the series blends rap battles, comedic dialogue, and high-stakes action sequences, all delivered through original songs performed by Power. This innovative format, inspired by serialized musical narratives, allowed for rapid viral dissemination on , with episodes building a continuous storyline of evasion and absurdity. The first season's self-produced style highlighted Power's multifaceted talents, earning critical acclaim for its clever and fast-paced production, which he handled end-to-end. It quickly amassed widespread popularity, with individual episodes surpassing 10 million views each across , , and , contributing to a total exceeding 200 million views for the season. This success culminated in Power's 2018 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding in a Short Form or Series, recognizing his lead performance as a testament to the series' impact on . Following its YouTube debut, Caught transitioned to The for Season 2 in 2018, where Power continued in the lead role amid an expanded production budget that enhanced visuals and guest appearances. The move marked a significant evolution for the series, broadening its reach on a dedicated streaming platform while maintaining its core musical and comedic elements. In 2023, Power released a third season titled Caught Series: Secrets, consisting of 6 episodes distributed on platforms.

Film and television appearances

Power debuted in the web series in 2010, where he provided for various historical and pop culture figures in a rap battle format, including in the "Mr. T vs Mr. Rogers" episode, in the "Donald Trump vs " battle, and Shaka Zulu in the "Shaka Zulu vs " episode. His performances drew on his musical background, infusing the battles with rhythmic delivery and charisma. In film, Power took on supporting roles that showcased his range in horror and action genres. He appeared as the in the "Bonestorm" segment of the anthology horror film V/H/S: Viral (2014), contributing to the chaotic, found-footage narrative. In the sci-fi comedy Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens (2016), he played a National Guardsman, a survivor amid the film's absurd shark-filled apocalypse. Power later starred as Brandon Jenkins, a navigating friendship and ambition, in the comedy North of the 10 (2022). On television, Power featured in guest and recurring roles across reality-competition and scripted series, often in action-oriented or ensemble settings. He portrayed The Railroad Tycoon in season 2 of the YouTube Premium horror competition Escape the Night (2017) and returned as The Enforcer in season 4 (2019). In the digital series SuperHigh (2017), he played Chopper, a character in a weed-fueled story. Power also appeared in the short film Tribes (2020), a exploring identity and during a train heist. Additionally, he had a guest spot in the Zeus Network series Sober Coach (2019), highlighting his comedic timing in a story about recovery.

Business ventures

Founding The Zeus Network

In 2018, DeStorm Power co-founded The Zeus Network, a subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) streaming platform, alongside television producer Lemuel Plummer—who serves as president and CEO—Amanda Cerny, and King Bach. The venture aimed to fill a gap in urban-focused entertainment by prioritizing original content for digital influencers, including reality TV series, scripted shows, and unscripted formats tailored to diverse audiences. Power, leveraging his background as a content creator, envisioned the network as a creator-first space distinct from traditional media giants, emphasizing accessible, mobile-optimized programming. The platform officially launched on July 13, 2018, debuting with the second season of Power's Caught as its flagship offering, a musical action-adventure. This premiere helped establish the network's model of blending influencer-driven narratives with broader appeal, quickly expanding its library to include over 30 original series at launch. By 2022, The Zeus Network was described as wildly popular, offering affordable $5.99 monthly access. Power initially played a hands-on role in content acquisition and development, personally contributing to the curation of hip-hop and series such as —featuring interviews with rap artists—and stand-up specials like Reedo Brown Presents: Comedy Roulette. These additions underscored the network's commitment to genre-specific programming, though it faced controversies over the raw, drama-heavy quality of its reality offerings, often criticized for prioritizing over polished production. Despite such debates, the SVOD model's viability proved effective, with hits like Bad Boys: driving viewership and partnerships, including content distribution deals that broadened its reach. In March 2025, Power publicly accused Plummer of , mismanagement, and cutting out the original co-founders (including himself, Cerny, and ) from profits and ownership stakes, claiming they were left to pay taxes on unreceived funds. Plummer denied the allegations, stating Power and others remain minority stakeholders. The dispute highlighted internal tensions at .

Other entrepreneurial activities

DeStorm Power has engaged in motivational speaking since the mid-2010s, drawing on his experiences in creation and personal resilience to inspire audiences on topics like creativity and overcoming challenges. He has participated in AMAs and public discussions sharing insights on building an online career, as seen in his 2015 interaction where he positioned himself as a . In addition to his core ventures, Power has developed merchandise lines connected to his music and video series, including apparel such as T-shirts featuring his branding. Early efforts included collaborations via platforms like Spreadshirt for fan items, as promoted in his 2010 YouTube content. More recently, he operates an official online store offering clothing and accessories tied to his creative projects. Power holds production credits on several independent projects, serving as writer, director, and producer for the web series Caught (2017), which he created and starred in. He also acted as producer and performer in the 2020 short film Tribes, contributing to its development alongside director Nino Aldi. His background as a master personal trainer and accomplished triple jumper, including an invitation to the Olympic Trials, has shaped his creation of fitness content. Power shared workout routines and tips on his YouTube channel starting in the late 2000s, such as 30-minute home exercise videos and quick fitness challenges, blending them with his early content strategy to build an audience.

Awards and honors

Streamy Awards

DeStorm Power received multiple nominations for the , the premier honors for online video creators, spanning from 2013 to 2018, with three confirmed wins that highlighted his contributions to digital music, , and series. These accolades underscored his versatility across platforms like and , where he pioneered challenge-based content and narrative storytelling. In 2014, at the 4th Annual , Power won the Best Vine award, recognizing his humorous short-form videos that amassed millions of views and helped define early culture. This victory celebrated his quick-witted sketches and musical parodies, which blended with original to engage a broad audience. Power's work on the Caught garnered significant recognition at the 7th Annual in 2017, where he won both the in a and Writing categories. His portrayal of the lead character and scripting of the thriller series, which explored themes of and consequences, were praised for elevating online drama to professional standards. The series was nominated for Best Series in 2018 at the 8th Annual event. Additionally, in 2013, Power won the Innovation of the Year at the inaugural YouTube Music Awards—a Streamy-adjacent honor—for his challenge series video "See Me Standing," which innovatively combined music, , and interactive elements to inspire viral participation across . This award spotlighted his role in pioneering trends on . These Streamy wins enhanced Power's credibility as a multifaceted digital creator, facilitating transitions to broader entertainment ventures by validating his innovative approaches in the eyes of industry peers and networks.
YearAwardCategoryOutcomeWork
2013YouTube Music AwardsInnovation of the YearWon"See Me Standing" challenge series
2014 (4th Annual)Best Vine ComedianWonVine videos
2017 (7th Annual)Acting in a DramaWon
2017 (7th Annual)WritingWon

Emmy nomination and other recognitions

In 2018, DeStorm Power received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for his role in the web series Caught, marking a significant recognition of the crossover potential between digital content and traditional television formats. Earlier in his career, Power was honored as the 2011 American Music Awards New Media Honoree (Male), an accolade that celebrated his pioneering contributions to online music and video content as one of YouTube's early viral creators.

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/destorm_power
  2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2012/03/01/indie-hip-hop-star-destorm-power-on-youtube-and-the-future-of-music/
  3. https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/youtube-destorm-power-interview/
  4. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/streamys-2017-full-list-winners-1035493/
  5. https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/4th-annual-nominees-winners/
  6. https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/destorm-power
  7. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-apples-carpool-karaoke-nabs-short-form-nomination-1126577/
  8. https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/king-bach-amanda-cerny-destorm-power-zeus-subscription-vod-1202605752/
  9. https://deadline.com/2018/06/preachers-producer-lemuel-plummer-social-media-celebrities-king-bach-amanda-cerny-destorm-power-launch-svod-service-1202406441/
  10. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/destorm-exposes-zeus-ceo-allegedly-125628260.html
  11. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/destorm-power.html
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-qc_3eZiA0
  13. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/destorm-power-7943.php
  14. https://www.reddit.com/r/Upvoted/comments/2u46f0/episode_3_the_story_of_destorm_power/
  15. https://www.last.fm/music/Destorm%2BPower/%2Bwiki
  16. https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/rappers-from-baltimore/
  17. https://wiki.sportskeeda.com/youtube/who-is-destorm-power
  18. https://www.blackcelebritybirthdays.org/DeStorm-Power
  19. https://www.nydailynews.com/2010/02/11/from-youtube-to-vancouver-new-media-sultan-girlfriend-to-cover-winter-olympics-thanks-to-contest/
  20. https://socialblade.com/youtube/c/destormpower
  21. https://www.forbes.com/sites/groupthink/2013/07/29/how-to-make-money-on-youtube-destorm-powers-story/
  22. https://shortyawards.com/11th/destorm
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxihW6BcIrg
  24. https://www.tubefilter.com/2015/04/23/destorm-facebook-video-star/
  25. https://www.businessinsider.com/most-popular-vine-stars-2015-9
  26. https://www.billboard.com/pro/a-year-ago-vine-stars-made-last-ditch-effort-to-save-it-its-sad-the-way/
  27. https://www.alistdaily.com/social/destorm-power-tells-how-he-made-vine-a-creators-business/
  28. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomward/2017/12/01/the-influencer-marketing-trends-that-will-dominate-2018/
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gaEjZeE4aw
  30. https://www.snapchat.com/add/destormpower
  31. https://www.tiktok.com/@destorm
  32. https://open.spotify.com/track/4USJ3MlY2f5yrtNTfg73Be
  33. https://music.apple.com/us/album/fight-to-win-single/1628327614
  34. https://open.spotify.com/album/4WGWEU0J0gDTb51W1lfWFV
  35. https://music.apple.com/us/album/invincible-ft-ray-william-johnson-chester-see-single/631662752
  36. https://open.spotify.com/album/0ks1mFq8qff3a4VZfUi1EH
  37. https://music.apple.com/us/album/victory-dance-feat-t-coles-single/930852367
  38. https://genius.com/albums/Destorm/King-kong
  39. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/mixtape/destorm-power/king-kong/
  40. https://open.spotify.com/album/3YDatCdnHeNnDuM6P6okSM
  41. https://genius.com/albums/Destorm/Caught-series
  42. https://www.thezeusnetwork.com/caught-season-one
  43. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/destorm-power/306216044
  44. https://deadline.com/2018/06/zeus-unveil-series-to-stream-at-launch-including-shows-lil-tay-americas-top-model-alum-don-benjamin-1202418521/
  45. https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/113656-caught
  46. https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/06/30/destorm-caught-series-trapped-in-the-closet/
  47. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4343395/awards/
  48. https://musically.com/2017/07/03/destorm-power-caught-series-claims-10m-views-episode/
  49. https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/zeus-originals-destorm-power-blameitonkway-michael-blackson-1202977347/
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lkosFKjLXE
  51. https://epicrapbattlesofhistory.fandom.com/wiki/DeStorm_Power
  52. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5838282/
  53. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7142738/
  54. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9883024/
  55. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8183670/
  56. https://www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/2911/2018-09-12-mintztech-connect-innovator-profile-zeus-network
  57. https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/23/17581872/zeus-network-lil-tay-destorm-power
  58. https://www.streamingmedia.com/PressRelease/Zeus-to-Premiere-Over-30-Original-Series-Starring-the-Worlds-Most-Popular-Social-Media-Influencers-Reaching-an-Audience-of-More-Than-120-Million-Fans-on-Its-July-13-Launch_47376.aspx
  59. https://www.forbes.com/sites/maiahoskin/2022/11/22/does-lemuel--plummers-zeus-network-represent-everything-that-is-wrong-with-how-black-people-are-portrayed-on-television/
  60. https://deadline.com/2018/10/svod-network-zeus-new-series-blameitonkway-michael-blackson-destorm-power-1202486452/
  61. https://www.thezeusnetwork.com/comedy-1
  62. https://www.wired.com/story/zeus-niche-streaming-services/
  63. https://www.thezeusnetwork.com/bad-boys-los-angeles
  64. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md9ONLLxHJo
  65. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/898555-zeus-network-destorm-power-pop-culture-news
  66. https://nkoziknight.com/2025/05/17/zeus-network-exposed-the-true-creators-and-the-ceo-who-cut-them-out/
  67. https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2ubvwi/destorm_power_rapper_motivational_speaker/
  68. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDtzwjbWFcY
  69. https://destormpower.shop/collections/destorm-power-t-shirts
  70. https://dreamweaverarts.org/2020/01/15/an-interview-with-tribes-director-nino-aldi-producer-actor-destorm-day-storm-power-and-producer-actor-jake-hunter/
  71. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9ucbo_fx64
  72. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/08/the-streamys-2014-10-of-the-best-winners-from-the-online-video-awards
  73. https://deadline.com/2017/09/2017-streamy-awards-winners-list-1202177666/
  74. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E33cdObDdpc
  75. https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/8th-annual-nominees/
  76. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/streamy-awards-2018-winners-list-1146664/
  77. https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/youtube-music-awards-eminem-wins-artist-of-the-year-in-video-sites-shaky-webcast-1200792254/
  78. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/youtube-music-awards-eminem-arcade-fire-lady-gaga-highlight-gleefully-messy-5778137/
  79. https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/07/12/destorm-power-caught-short-form-emmy-awards/
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