Authenticity Is Rare in 2025

Authenticity and creativity are hard to come by in 2025. I feel like the creators that are staying true to their self through their content get buried under micro trends, clickbait, rage bait, and news headlines that won’t matter in a couple of days. I wanted to start this series highlighting 5 YouTubers that I follow and actively consume their content because of their consistency, high quality, and authenticity. Each creator offers something different because I like to have a variety in what I consume. Watching different types of content brings out different areas of my creativity. I can find inspiration anywhere, so I need variety in my life. So I have put together another list of 5 YouTube Creators straight from my subscribers’ list. As mentioned earlier, I watch these creators because their art is still raw and real. It’s just them and their camera. Some of them are the writer, producer, and editor of their channel, and that alone is super impressive and inspiring!

Ms. Taffy: Reselling, Hustle Culture, and Real Entrepreneurship

The first creator I discovered through my FYP, and it was her title that caught my attention. “From 6-figure business owner to working a 9-5” is what she titled her video. This caught my attention because it was the opposite of what we see online; these days, people are posting the opposite-going from a 9-5 to a successful business owner. Ms. Taffy has an infectious personality, and she is a true hustler at heart! She currently posts videos about reselling items she finds from thrift stores, yard sales, and Facebook Marketplace. It sounds so simple, but I attempted to do the same thing (after bingeing her channel) and had no luck LOL. It requires a lot of time and patience, and I would rather enjoy her content and put my energy into something else. (The Cosmic Radar). She is for sure passionate about what she does, and it only a side hustle! If you are looking to get into the entrepreneurial world through a side hustle, I highly recommend her channel. 

Got Damn Zo: Laughs, Vlogs, Reactions, and Comfort Content

If you are looking for a good time with good laughs, then look no further, because Zoie from “Got Damn Zo” has you covered. Zoie has been on the internet for years; he is what you call an OG creator. He is actually one of the creators who are still uploading consistently on YouTube. He is known for a variety of content; his most popular content is probably his messy Mondays. I used to watch them, but as I grew older, I aged out of the people he was talking about. Luckily, he has other content that I like to consume, my favorite being his vlogs with his best friends sus and Daryl! Zoie also uploads reactions to indie films that can be watched on YouTube! The videos he reacts to are always so good, and I end up looking for a part 2 if they have it. And I can’t forget his cooking videos!! Zoie’s channel is good for a Friday night in with your favorite takeout and mocktail. 

Ty From 99: High-Quality Documentary Style YouTube

Ty from 99 is a good channel if you are into documentary-style content. He only has 11 videos on his channel, but they are all well-researched, highly produced, and full of good information. The first video that introduced me to his channel is “How Rap Genius Destroyed Their Company.” If you are a millennial like me, then you are fully aware of the rise of Rap Genius. They had a good run when they first launched, but I didn’t realize they weren’t as popular until I watched Ty’s video. They kind of slowly faded away when the internet became what it is known for today. The second video I consumed on his channel is “The Profitable World Of Fear.” Ty from 99 touches on an array of topics that anyone could find interesting, and is probably information we need to be aware of. 

Katie Robinson: Fashion Industry Insight (Beyond Try-On Hauls)

When my 30th birthday came around, one of the biggest changes I committed to making was changing my entire wardrobe. I no longer felt comfortable wearing super skin-tight, crop top, barely there clothing. It was strange, a few days after my birthday, I was absolutely disgusted with my wardrobe, like who picked these clothes out?? I’m not a fashion girl, but I take pride in the quality of clothes I wear. So, of course, I ran to YouTube to see if any content creators specialized in fashion, not just try-on hauls. The algorithm finally pointed me in the direction of a creator that I felt like I could learn a little something from. Katie Robinson is a fashion journalist based in London. The video that caught my attention was “Why is the entire fashion industry rebranding?” For me, Katie talks about things that will have a major impact on me when it comes to buying clothes from brands. I am trying to avoid fast fashion that sells fabrics that are of lower quality and at high prices; instead, I would rather invest in pieces that I know will be timeless. She also touches on the subject of thrifting and upcycling clothes, and trends! She is a good video to play while doing chores around the house or getting ready for the day. 

Jae The Fade: Relatable Skits That Still Feel Like Real YouTube

Jae The Fade is a new creator I’ve discovered, and she is hilarious!! Her videos remind me that this is what content creation should be like, especially on YouTube. Jae is the writer, producer, and editor of her skits. She makes skits about SUPER relatable life experiences. I’ve seen two videos so far, and each time I’ve burst out laughing. One of the main reasons I am enjoying her content so far is that she is genuinely funny. Her video production is high quality, but not where it is produced, and it comes off as a full-blown TV production. I think I enjoy her content the most is due to it is relatable all around. Her videos are 10-15 minutes, but in my opinion, they should be longer! She is really good. You don’t see a lot oft he is type of content anymore, so I consider myself blessed to be able to find such a genuine and funny creator! If you need a good laugh, check out Jae The Fade’s channel. 

Final Thoughts: The Best Creators Are Still Hidden

That completes our list, and I hope you were able to find a creator that resonates with you. With the exception of Zoie majority of these creators have under 100K followers, which I think is one of the reasons why I gravitate to their content. They are still at “humble” beginnings, and the creativity is still raw and genuine. Oftentimes, when creators “make it big,” the content changes, and it turns into a production rather than focusing on maintaining the art they started with it or evolving it. Zoie is one of the ones where, even though he has 2+ million followers on YouTube, he is still showing up his authentic self, but is still evolving his art. If none of these creators resonate with you, take a browse on the YouTube home page and try watching a video with a low follow count or just posted. You never know what you might discover; the most valuable gems are almost always hidden.