THE Edinburgh Fringe has kicked off with a bang, with the best and brightest of comedic talent showcasing their acts across the city.
One of those bright young talents is TikTok comedian Shabaz Ali.
3
Who is Shabaz Ali?
Shabaz Ali is a 31-year-old chemistry teacher from Blackburn.
He started sharing his content on his Shabazsays channel back in Lockdown, and quickly amassed a large viewership.
Shabaz calls himself the King of Povvos, and refers to his fans as the Povvogang.
It is a self-styled name highlighting how his comedy satirises the fetishisation of “poverty” by the out‑of‑touch displays of wealth.
This style of comedy meant that Shabaz garnered a follower base of over 2million on TikTok.
3
It also led to the publication of his book.
I’m Rich, You’re Poor: How to Give Social Media a Reality Check was published in 2024.
Each chapter took on a different societal concept (food, beauty, health and cleanliness) with Shabaz flexing his socio-political muscles about his stance on it.
He also hosts a podcast, which he hosts with his best friend Sofia in which they discuss everything from pop culture and gossip to the latest news.
The podcast was first released in October 2024 and already has numerous seasons.
What is his act?
3
Following the release of his book, it was only natural that he took it on the road in his tour.
His debut live comedy tour, Shabaz Ali: I Am Rich You Are Poor, is an hour-long chuckle-fest for his fans.
It continues on with his criticism of influencers on social media, showing a highlight reel of their “perfect” day and warping followers’ ideas.
From designer ice cubes to Stanley Cups and their wild and somewhat varied uses, nothing escapes his comedic commentary.
In an interview with the Guardian in 2024, the teacher shared his fears for the youth’s excessive social media use, comparing it to his teenage obsession with glossy magazines.
He said: “I loved them. The glamour and beauty was so exciting to me, but I knew everything had been retouched and edited.
“I didn’t compare myself to anything, because I knew the images were manufactured. It was pure escapism.”
He explained: “But the way kids now are using social media is very different.
“I’m not sure how much they know what is manufactured and what isn’t.”
This was understood while he observed his students as a teacher, watching their minds change and their shorter attention span as a result of social media.
The tour finished on April 5, but will have one more outing as it returns to Edinburgh for the Fringe Fest.
He will be performing his show in Studio Two at Assembly George Square Studios.
