TikTok star Malik Taylor, who posted parodic POV videos and his comments on pop culture, has died at the age of just 28.
The news was announced by his business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, where he was in the class of 2020.
They did not disclose his cause of death, but shared that he was ‘always bringing laughter, joy and a warm smile that brightened every room he entered.’
Taylor had more than 250,000 followers on TikTok and also hosted a YouTube show called The Unpopular Party where he gave his opinions of pop culture figures.
He uploaded an Instagram post last month revealing that he had just celebrated his 28th birthday, joking that he had ‘Survived the 27 club (Barely).’
At the time of his death, he had recently moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, a life change that was the subject of his final TikTok post.
TikTok star Malik Taylor, who posted parodic POV videos and his comments on pop culture, has died at the age of just 28
In his last video, which was posted just one day before news broke that he had died, he joked that he moved to Charlotte because the ‘Queen City need the king.’
He quipped: ‘And before you be like: “Oh, I’m here, I’m here!” – exactly. That’s why they called for me. The Queen City needed a king and I took the throne.’
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In their statement on his death, his former business fraternity wrote: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share our beloved Brother, Malik Taylor, has gone to “Audit Eternal”.’
They added: ‘To know him was to know he was a light to everyone—always bringing laughter, joy, and a warm smile that brightened every room he entered.’
The statement continued: ‘Brother Taylor embodied the values of brotherhood, unity, and compassion. His ability to uplift others, share kindness, and spread joy will forever remain in our memories.
‘Though your time with us was far too short, you were a good and faithful Brother, and the “Great Auditor” will reward you for your everlasting work.’
They concluded: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Malik Taylor, Zeta Phi Chapter Spring 2017. You will be deeply missed, but your spirit will continue to inspire us.’
On July 2, less than two months before his death, he posted a Great Gatsby-themed photo-shoot to Instagram in celebration of his recent 28th birthday.
A statement from his fraternity did not disclose his cause of death, but shared that he was ‘always bringing laughter, joy and a warm smile that brightened every room he entered’
At the time of his death, he had recently moved to Charlotte, North Carolina , a life change that was the subject of his final TikTok post
As news of his death circulated online, fans flooded into the comments of his final TikTok video to express their sadness and incredulity
‘Survived the 27 club (Barely),’ he wrote in the caption of the album. ‘Only right I celebrate my 28th likes it’s the party of the century. Call me Malik Gatsby Cheers to the rest of my roaring 20s Old Sport.’
As news of his death circulated online, fans flooded into the comments of his final TikTok video to express their sadness and incredulity.
One wrote: ‘yall are lying…. pls tell me,’ as another exclaimed: ‘i just got up WYM HE GONE?!??’ and a third wrote: ‘we not fr rn tell me yall are just joking.’
‘Death is weird because what do you mean he didn’t know he’d be gone a few hours later?’ another heartbroken fan remarked.
‘There’s no way,’ a commenter wrote in disbelief, adding: ‘Someone clear the air. What the hell is going on. Tell me it’s a bad joke.’