Matt Rife could also be taking the comedy world by storm, however the 28-year-old stand-up comedian and TikTok favorite is already stoking controversy along with his new Netflix particular, Pure Choice, which earned the No. 2 spot on the streaming service’s global top 10 list of most-watched TV with 7.4 milliion views in its debut week.
However since its launch, Rife’s Pure Choice has confronted blowback. The uproar is essentially attributable to a number of jokes he performs within the the hour-long comedy particular that make mild of home violence and abuse, in addition to his response to the controversy that some have deemed problematic.
Here is a have a look at Rife’s rise to fame and the remarks which have landed him in scorching water.
Who’s Matt Rife?
Rife skyrocketed to stardom within the click-heavy world of social media. With 18.2 million followers on TikTok and 6.4 million followers on Instagram, he beforehand parlayed his recognition into self-produced comedy specials. Matt Rife: Solely Followers hit YouTube in December 2021, whereas Matthew Steven Rife and Strolling Pink Flag each landed on the free video streaming website earlier this 12 months. He is additionally made a number of appearances on exhibits like MTV’s Wild ’n Out and Brooklyn 9-9.
Rife’s bounce to Netflix success was clearly a triumph for the comedian, who had been doing comedy for over a decade when he launched his self-produced specials.
“I needed to put them out alone, which was very validating in and of itself. I grew my fan base exponentially,” Rife informed Variety earlier this month. “I used to be so grateful for a way a lot folks favored it. However to have anyone come from one other degree to be like, ‘Hey, we like what you’re doing. We like what you’ve executed for your self. We wish to invite you to work with us.’ It feels heat. It feels inviting,” he continued, noting that “You’re employed your complete profession to really feel accepted by a community normal.”
The controversial jokes from Pure Choice
Pure Choice, which was shot at DAR Structure Corridor in Washington, D.C., kicks off with Rife discussing a visit to Baltimore, Md., throughout which he and a pal go to a “ratchet” restaurant and encountered a feminine hostess with a black eye.
“I’ve solely been to Baltimore one time. I ate lunch there, and the hostess, who seats you on the restaurant, had a black eye. A full black eye,” Rife informed the gang. “It wasn’t like, ‘What occurred?’ It was fairly apparent what occurred. We could not recover from the truth that like, that is the face of the corporate? That is who you could have greeting folks?”
He continued with the joke, saying, “And my boy who I used to be with was like, ‘Yeah, I really feel unhealthy for her, man. I really feel like they need to put her within the kitchen or one thing the place no person has to see her face, ya know?’ And I used to be like, ‘Yeah, however I really feel like if she may cook dinner, she wouldn’t have that black eye,’” Rife mentioned, whereas some viewers members laughed.
“Testing the waters, seeing if y’all are gonna be enjoyable or not,” Rife continued, “I determine we begin the present with home violence, the remainder of the present must be fairly easy crusing after that.”
In response, a number of folks on X (previously Twitter) criticized Rife’s willingness to joke about home violence, particularly towards girls.
In the identical Variety interview, Rife famous that whereas he desires all viewers to benefit from the particular, he’s conscious that Pure Choice may be extra standard with males despite the fact that his TikTok viewers overwhelming feminine.
“One of many greatest misconceptions of issues I get ridiculed on-line for is persons are like, ‘Oh, he solely has a feminine fan base,'” he informed Selection. “At first sure, as a result of I did blow up on TikTok which may be very female-dominant. So, I get that perspective.” He continued by saying this particular “is far more for guys. I wished to make this particular for everyone. I pleasure myself on making my comedy for everyone. It is not for a particular demographic.”
Rife’s response to the criticism
Whereas Rife did not remark particularly concerning the controversy that has erupted in regard to his jokes about home violence, he did supply up a press release in an Instagram Story printed on Monday that solely intensified uproar amongst viewers.
“In case you’ve ever been offended by a joke I’ve informed — right here’s a hyperlink to my official apology,” he wrote. The hyperlink choice learn “Faucet to unravel your subject.” Nevertheless, as a substitute of linking to an apology, it directed viewers to the medical web site Medicale Store, which particularly linked to an choice to buy helmets for folks with particular wants.
A number of hours later, Rife chimed in once more on Instagram, writing “We on the naughty record,” alongside a winky-smile emoji. A brand new hyperlink was labeled: “This one’s actual this time.” Nevertheless, it directed followers to his YouTube web page the place a comedy clip titled “Unhealthy Santa” was posted. The clip featured Rife doing standup and riffing with the gang, teasing a pair who have been comfortable to affix in on the mockery.
Past his Instagram posts, Rife has not spoken out any additional concerning the jokes in his particular or his reactions to the backlash. Yahoo Leisure has reached out to Netflix and Rife’s representatives for remark, however didn’t obtain responses on the time of publication.
Matt Rife: Pure Choice is presently streaming on Netflix.
