Bryan Quang Le[19] (born November 19, 1996), better known as RiceGum, is an American YouTuber and online streamer. He is best known for his diss tracks and online feuds with other YouTube personalities.[20] Since creating his YouTube channel, his channel has received over ten million subscribers and over two billion video views.[21]

RiceGum
Le in 2018
Personal information
Born
Bryan Quang Le

(1996-11-19) November 19, 1996 (age 27)[1]
EducationSierra Vista High School, Nevada
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Drop out)
OccupationYouTuber
YouTube information
Also known asRiceGum
Channel
Years active2012–2020
Genres
Subscribers
  • 9.96 million (RiceGum)
  • 1.33 million (RiceLive)
  • 746 thousand (FamilyGum)
[15]
Total views
  • 2.18 billion (RiceGum)
  • 61.6 million (RiceLive)
  • 33.3 million (FamilyGum)
[15]
Associated acts
100,000 subscribers2016[16]
1,000,000 subscribers2016[17]
10,000,000 subscribers2018[18]

Last updated: February 7, 2023

In November 2017, Le was ranked at number 25 on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.[22] His song "It's Every Night Sis" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in March 2018.[23]

Early life

Le was born to Vietnamese and Chinese parents.[24] He attended Sierra Vista High School, where he was on the basketball team.[25] Le attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) before dropping out during his first year to pursue his online career full-time.[24]

Career

Music career

In 2017, Le released a single titled "It's Every Night Sis" featuring fellow YouTube personality Alissa Violet, which was a response track to YouTuber Jake Paul's viral song "It's Everyday Bro".[20][26] It became Le's first charting single, having debuted at number 80 and number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Canadian Hot 100 charts respectively.[27][28][29] The song later became certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in March 2018.[23][30] The single was followed by "God Church" in July 2017, its title was another reference to "It's Everyday Bro", which reached number one on the Comedy Digital Track Sales chart.[31][32]

RiceGum was featured in the video for "Earthquake" by YouTube personality and rapper KSI, released on August 12, 2017.[33]

In October 2017, RiceGum released "Frick da Police", which was a diss track towards YouTube personality IDubbbz.[34] The song charted at number 45 and number 67 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Canadian Hot 100 charts respectively.[28][35]

Other work

RiceGum was featured in the Super Bowl LII commercial for Monster headphones. In the ad, he plays a man on a subway who is inspired by Iggy Azalea to fashion a headset from scratch, which is accepted by an executive.[36]

In 2023, RiceGum began live streaming on the online video platform Rumble.[37]

Controversies

Feuds with other YouTube personalities

Ian W., a YouTuber by the channel name of iDubbbzTV, made an episode of his popular "Content Cop" series on RiceGum (a series where he critiques other YouTubers' content), which received over 50 million views and over 2 million likes. The end of the video featured the diss track "Asian Jake Paul".[38] In response to the video, RiceGum made the diss track "Frick da Police". The diss track was met with a negative reception, currently holding 1.3 million dislikes since its release.[38] RiceGum has also been involved in controversies with other popular YouTubers and musicians such as James Rallison, Gabbie Hanna,[39] and Bhad Bhabie.[40]

Hong Kong vlog controversy

On June 12, 2018, RiceGum uploaded a video of himself in Hong Kong through his main YouTube channel. In the video, he asks strangers and a staff member in a local McDonald's if they have dog on the menu as he says "Asians eat cats and dogs in China." He also jokes about wanting to have dog and cat meat to eat as he is "always open to try new things".[41] He comments on Hong Kong street food beef entrails, questioning if it is dog meat and saying "shit looks disgusting".[42] He filmed comedian M2THAK walking up to a man in the Hong Kong International Airport, yelling "Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?", allegedly imitating a scene from the Hollywood movie Rush Hour starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker to imply that Asian communities do not understand English.[43] M2THAK was also filmed repositioning mannequins in a store window into sexually suggestive poses.[44] The video included a scene where they gave a half-eaten ice cream to a local Hong Kong man.[45]

Online commentary has compared the video to Logan Paul's Japan vlog controversy,[46] saying that he is being disrespectful and culturally insensitive in a foreign country.[47] Jimmy Wong tweeted saying that he is disappointed as RiceGum's videos are now "disrespectful, ignorant, borderline racist, & shameful to all creators, especially Asians" and asked him to "please grow up & stop".[48]

Two weeks later, on June 26, when the video received different criticism in China and other Asian countries, RiceGum released a video, saying that he was just "joking around".[49] He defended himself saying that he was just trying to use Asian stereotypes to point to American comedy culture and that people are being too sensitive. He further explained that he believed it is acceptable as he is Asian.[50] He also said that he wanted to return to Hong Kong, but says that he is "kind of scared now because the people may hit me and beat me up". However, the video was considered insincere; media site Polygon described that his apology was done "in a somewhat glib manner" and What's Trending said the "apology" "sounded [incredibly] forced".[51][52] The video of his Hong Kong tour is currently removed from YouTube due to the violation of YouTube's Terms of Service.[53]

Mystery box website promotion

In January 2019, RiceGum, along with Jake Paul, came under fire for promoting MysteryBrand, a website which offers the chance to open a digital "mystery box" of pre-selected items with a promise to win one in real life at random. Many users have said they have not received prizes they won through the site, and concluded the site is a scam.[54] In response, RiceGum made a video in which he pointed out that other YouTubers made their own videos promoting MysteryBrand months prior, saying "No-one said anything, it wasn't a problem back then. Why did no-one bring it up, or even talk about these guys? This mystery box thing has been on the internet for 3 or 4 months even from other creators, but as soon as I do it, it's a problem?" At the end of the video, he decided to give away Amazon gift card codes, saying "There's nothing I can really do but say sorry and give you these Amazon gift cards". However, many people called him out for the Amazon codes already being expired.[55]

Save the Kids Token

In June 2021, RiceGum along with members of FaZe Clan were influencer ambassadors for a crypto non-fungible token called Save the Kids (KIDS) which was marketed as a charity token meant to give a percentage of the transaction fee to the Binance Charity Wallet.[56][failed verification]

The token was then pumped and dumped by many of the ambassadors and the token's value quickly crashed shortly after when it was released.[57][58]

Personal life

On April 27, 2023, RiceGum uploaded his first new video in more than two years, entitled "Baby Girl." In it, he announced that he and his girlfriend Ellerie Marie's child was stillborn.[19][59][failed verification]

Discography

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[27]
US R&B/HH
[35]
US Rap
[60]
CAN
[28]
"It's Every Night Sis"[61]
(featuring Alissa Violet)
2017 80 34 25 55 Non-album singles
"God Church"[31]
"Frick da Police"[34] [A] 45 67
"Naughty or Nice"[63]
"Bitcoin"[64] 2018
"Fortnite n Chill"[65]
"DaAdult"[66] 2020
"My Ex"[67]
"Contract Money Freestyle"[68]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Earthquake"[33] 2017 KSI Disstracktions

Notes

  1. ^ "Frick da Police" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number five on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[62]

References

  1. ^ @RiceGum (November 19, 2015). "19 years ago a god was born(me). THWAG" (Tweet). Retrieved January 12, 2021 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "STUCK IN ELEVATOR FOR 24 HOURS CHALLENGE *ALMOST DIED*". Youtube. June 29, 2017.
  3. ^ "RiceGum – Its EveryNight Sis feat. Alissa Violet (Official Music Video)". Youtube. June 10, 2017.
  4. ^ "News Reporter EXPOSED us on LIVE TV.... (FT. Logan Paul)". Youtube. February 5, 2017.
  5. ^ "Logan Paul's Brother Roasted Me!!! (EXPOSED)". Youtube. October 25, 2017.
  6. ^ "RiceGum INTERVIEW! - Content Cop! #DramaAlert iDubbbz (Diss Tracks) Post Malone! Content Deputy". Youtube. October 11, 2017.
  7. ^ "KSI ft Ricegum – Earthquake (Official Music Video) 1080p". Youtube. May 3, 2020.
  8. ^ "I Dare You: Jumping Bellyflop! (ft. Ricegum)". Youtube. August 16, 2016.
  9. ^ "INSANE 1V1 Battle VS NINJA in Fortnite (BEST PLAYER)". Youtube. April 12, 2018.
  10. ^ "Last Youtuber To Leave Wins $100,000 – Challenge". Youtube. December 12, 2018.
  11. ^ "REACTING TO Jacob Sartorius NEW SONG Sweatshirt (Ft.LeafyisHere)". Youtube. May 3, 2016.
  12. ^ "Roasting Youtubers Ft. Sam Pepper, Kristen Hancher, & more (DISS TRACK)". Youtube. May 26, 2016.
  13. ^ "My First Kiss??? (FT. Lele Pons) BEST Q&A EVER". Youtube. August 21, 2016.
  14. ^ "shopping with Rice Gum & my STUNT DOUBLE??". Youtube. August 12, 2016.
  15. ^ a b "About RiceGum". YouTube.
  16. ^ Le, Bryan [@RiceGum] (January 10, 2016). "Don't i get some poster board thingy for 100k? AYE I'M ABOUT TO WEAR IT LIKE A NECKLACE" (Tweet). Retrieved May 11, 2020 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ "1 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS! THANK YOU SO MUCH". YouTube. April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  18. ^ "YouTube Sent Me The Wrong Play Button (10 Million Subscribers)". YouTube. May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  19. ^ a b Pryor, Matt (January 1, 2020). "FORTNITE: VANGUARD ORGANIZATION SIGNS FORMER FAZE CLAN PLAYER". estnn.com. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Cirisano, Tatiana (September 1, 2017). "How a YouTuber War Launched a Jake Paul Diss Track Onto the Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  21. ^ "RiceGum's YouTube Stats| Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  22. ^ "RiceGum Chart History: Emerging Artists". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  23. ^ a b c "American certifications – RiceGum". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Behind the scenes: RiceGum and Alissa Violet on the power of media and how 'It's Everynight Sis' went platinum – HS Insider". LA Times. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  25. ^ "RiceGum | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  26. ^ Daluisio, Alexandra (June 7, 2017). "RiceGum, Alissa Violet Jake Paul Diss Track, Song". Teen.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  27. ^ a b "RiceGum – Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  28. ^ a b c "RiceGum – Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  29. ^ Kircher, Madison (September 1, 2017). "Jake Paul's Ex-girlfriend's Diss Track Dissing Jake Paul's Diss Track Hits Hot 100 List, and I Want to Die Now". Intelligencer. NY Mag. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  30. ^ Schroeder, Audra (March 21, 2018). "YouTuber RiceGum Goes Platinum With Jake Paul Parody". The Daily Dot. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  31. ^ a b "God Church – Single by Ricegum". Apple Music. July 22, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  32. ^ "RiceGum – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  33. ^ a b "Disstracktions – EP by KSI". Apple Music. September 29, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  34. ^ a b "Frick da Police – Single by Ricegum". Apple Music. October 10, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  35. ^ a b "RiceGum – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  36. ^ Lynch, Joe (February 4, 2018). "Iggy Azalea Returns In Monster Products' 2018 Super Bowl Commercial". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  37. ^ Glaze, Virginia (July 5, 2023). "RiceGum moves to Rumble despite offer from Kick". Dexerto. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  38. ^ a b Stone, Brianna (October 19, 2017). "iDubbbz and RiceGum YouTube Beef Gets Ugly and Pathetic". The Daily Dot. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  39. ^ Sanchez, Daniel (March 27, 2017). "YouTuber Ricegum Faces Legal Action for Physically Assaulting Gabbie Hanna". Digital Music News. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  40. ^ Katzowitz, Josh (March 2, 2018). "Danielle Bregoli Feuds With RiceGum—And It's Gotten Nasty". The Daily Dot. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  41. ^ ETtoday. "網紅遊香港「找貓狗肉吃」!白目問:哪邊有妓女 港網友氣炸 | ETtoday新聞雲" [YouTube personality travels to Hong Kong "finding dog and cat meat to eat"! Asks "where are those prostitutes?" Angered Hong Kong netizens]. ETtoday新聞雲 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  42. ^ 卡洛兒 (June 23, 2018). "美國YouTuber遊港拍片 追問路人哪裏有妓女及狗 網民鬧爆侮辱" [American YouTuber vlogging in Hong Kong, asking strangers where are the prostitute and dogs at. Netizens saying that it was an insult.]. 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  43. ^ "'Where the hoes at?': Asian American YouTuber RiceGum slammed for 'ignorant' Hong Kong video – Resonate". Resonate. June 26, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  44. ^ "YouTuber RiceGum Is Being Criticized For His Stunts In Hong Kong And Compared To Logan Paul". BuzzFeed. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  45. ^ "問「哪裏有狗或貓肉」 送出咬過一半雪條 美國網紅拍片涉侮辱香港人" [Asking "where are the dog and cat meat?", giving out half-eaten ice cream. American YouTuber vlogging, insulting Hong Kong people.]. 成報. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  46. ^ "RiceGum Films Himself Terrorizing Hong Kong, Asks Locals Where to Eat Cats and Dogs". nextshark.com. June 26, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  47. ^ "Asian-American YouTuber makes fool of himself in HK by asking where he can eat dog and 'where the hoes at?' | Coconuts Hong Kong". coconuts.co. June 25, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  48. ^ Holmes, Martin (June 29, 2018). "YouTuber RiceGum Faces Backlash Over 'Ignorant' Hong Kong Travel Video". ET Canada. Archived from the original on July 11, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  49. ^ "YouTuber RiceGum asks locals where he can eat dog meat in offensive Hong Kong travelogue – shanghaiist". shanghai.ist. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  50. ^ "YouTuber RiceGum called out for acting like an idiot in Hong Kong". The Daily Dot. June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  51. ^ "RiceGum called out over insulting, Hong Kong travel vlog". Polygon. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  52. ^ "VIDEO: Why Is China FURIOUS At RiceGum? | What's Trending". What's Trending. July 2, 2018. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  53. ^ "RiceGum's Hong Kong video revealed the worst of clickbait trend". South China Morning Post. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  54. ^ Shamsian, Jacob (January 3, 2019). "Jake Paul and other influencers are promoting 'mystery boxes' to their young audiences. Critics say it's a scam". Insider. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  55. ^ "RiceGum called out for giving away a bunch of expired Amazon codes". The Daily Dot. January 9, 2019.
  56. ^ "Save the Kids". www.savethekids.io. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  57. ^ "Faze Clan Members Skewered By Fans Following Huge Crypto Losses". Kotaku. June 28, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  58. ^ Binder, Matt (July 1, 2021). "A look into a failed influencer deal to promote a cryptocurrency". Mashable. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  59. ^ "What happened to RiceGum's kid? His latest video, explained". We Got This Covered. April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  60. ^ "RiceGum – Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  61. ^ "It's Every Night Sis (feat. Alissa Violet) – Single by Ricegum". Apple Music. June 9, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  62. ^ "RiceGum – Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles)". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  63. ^ "Naughty or Nice – Single by Ricegum". Apple Music. December 22, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  64. ^ "Bitcoin – Single by Ricegum". Apple Music. February 27, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  65. ^ "Fortnite n Chill – Single by Ricegum". Apple Music. April 13, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  66. ^ "DaAdult – Single by Ricegum". Apple Music. April 2, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  67. ^ "My Ex – Single by Ricegum". Apple Music. May 1, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  68. ^ "Contract Money Freestyle – Single by Ricegum". Apple Music. June 5, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.

External links