If you’ve been on YouTube or Instagram — most definitely TikTok — in, say, the last two years, you’ve almost surely stumbled upon Matt Rife at some point.
The incomprehensibly attractive comedian has been quietly (or not so quietly) making waves in the comedy world for over a decade, but thanks to the virality of social media, he’s exploded into the limelight. Now, he’s arguably one of the most popular young comedians of our time.
At just 27 years old, he has over 20 million followers across just YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok alone. Now, he’s going on a worldwide tour, and if you’re one of the lucky ones who manage to snag a ticket, you could very well find yourself featured in his next viral TikTok video.
Who is Matt Rife?
Most people know Rife as the 27-year-old TikTok “problematic f***boy” comedian with the plumb lips, veiny muscles, and piercing blue eyes (and let’s not forget the chiseled jaw). He’s arguably most known for his crowd work, the type of quick-witted, back-and-forth banter with audience members that rack upwards of 60 million views on TikTok. However, Rife has released several specials, such as his Matthew Steven Rife special on YouTube, that prove his hour-long shows are more than just volleying with the crowd.
Rife is very aware of his brand; while speaking with Elite Daily, he affirmed that he knows he’s good-looking, he knows he’s known as the “f*** boy” comedian, but he’s also talented. The guy can spit-fire quips faster than you can finish your belly laugh.
“When the TikTok stuff and social media stuff started to blow up, [my audience] was definitely, I’d say, 95% women from 16 to 25, which is a very, very powerful fan base,” he says. “And I’m so thankful for it. They’re very online. They’re not always the best stand-up comedy audience members. A lot of the time, they like my face a lot more than my jokes, which is fine. It gets them in the door, and then hopefully, you keep them with the comedy.”
Rife began his public comedy career at 21 years old on the MTV sketch comedy, rap battle improv game show Wild ’n Out, hosted by Nick Cannon. He was there for three seasons. He also starred in television shows such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Fresh Off the Boat and was most recently in the films Wolf Mountain, North of the 10, and Death Link.
Indeed, Rife is a busy man. Despite his flirtatious demeanor, he’s got hardly any time to date. Although he’s been famously linked to Kate Beckinsale and Zendaya, he’s not looking to put down roots.
“I just don’t have time. I’m on the brink of being sick almost every day. Not in a cold kind of way, but just being run-down. I don’t sleep. I sleep probably three hours a night, maybe. And then I’ve got basically at least two shows every night, I’d say six days a week at least.”
And his life is about to get a lot busier. Starting June 2023, Rife is heading out on a world tour. Here’s more information on that.
How to get tickets to Matt Rife’s ProbleMATTic World Tour
On June 5, 2022, Rife announced his ProbleMATTic World Tour, spanning the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Europe.
The tour kicked off on June 6 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and will span all the way to Oct. 20, 2024, in Milan, Italy. Within hours of the inaugural announcement, tickets already began selling out. Shows set three months in the future almost sold out immediately.
For more information, tour dates, and ticket prices for Rife’s ProbleMATTic World Tour, check out the comedian’s website. If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket, you just may find yourself in his next viral TikTok video.