In the mid-to-late 2000s, YouTube was a digital wild west, a new frontier where a diverse group of creators experimented with video and, in doing so, laid the foundation for the platform we know today. These original YouTubers, with their low-fi cameras and raw creativity, pioneered genres from daily vlogging to musical comedy, building communities from the ground up. This is a look at who they were, what they did, and the legacy they left behind.
The Vlogging Revolutionaries
These creators didn't just make videos; they invited millions into their lives, pioneering the art of the vlog.
- Vlogbrothers (John and Hank Green) were two American brothers who started a video blog as their only form of communication. This project spawned the global Nerdfighteria community, united by a love of learning and a mission to "decrease world suck." They went on to create educational channels like Crash Course and SciShow, and founded the massive creator convention VidCon. John Green also became a best-selling author of novels like The Fault In Our Stars.
- ShayCarl (Shay Carl Butler) is widely considered the pioneer of family vlogging. His channel Shaytards documented the daily lives of his wife and five children, earning them the title of "YouTube's first family." He was also a co-founder of Maker Studios, one of the first major YouTube networks, which was later sold to Disney for $500 million.
- Charles Trippy is known for his channel CTFxC (Charles Trippy FriendxCore), which holds the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive daily vlogs. His long-running series offered a candid look into his life, including his marriage, divorce, and a life-threatening brain tumor.
The Comedic Commentators
Before reaction videos were a genre, these creators built their fame by satirizing and commenting on internet culture.
- Ray William Johnson rose to fame with his series =3 (Equals Three), where he offered comedic commentary on viral videos. He was the first YouTuber to reach five million subscribers and his show was one of the most-watched on the platform, shaping the early landscape of viral video culture.
- sxephil (Philip DeFranco) became known for his news and opinion show, The Philip DeFranco Show. With his rapid-fire delivery and direct-to-camera style, he provided commentary on pop culture, news, and internet drama, becoming a trusted voice for a generation of viewers. He later founded his own news network.
- What The Buck? (Michael Buckley) was a popular celebrity gossip show. Buckley's exuberent, fast-paced personality and catchphrase "What the buck!?" made him an internet sensation, offering a humorous take on the latest in Hollywood.
The Musical Innovators
These creators used YouTube as a stage to blend music, comedy, and technology in innovative ways.
- MysteryGuitarMan (Joe Penna) created visually stunning music videos and animations that often featured him playing multiple instruments in a single shot. He was known for his stop-motion and time-lapse work, which were technically impressive.
- DaveDays was a musician known for his comedic pop-punk songs and parodies of popular music videos. He often mashed up songs from different genres and his high-energy performances earned him a loyal following.
- Julia Nunes was one of the first creators to build a music career on YouTube. She gained fame by performing original songs and covers on the ukulele, showcasing a raw talent that earned her millions of views and collaborations with big names like Ben Folds.
- Tay Zonday became an instant viral sensation with his 2007 song "Chocolate Rain." The video's unique style and Zonday's deep baritone voice made it a cultural touchstone that defined the early era of viral content.
The Comedy and Skit Architects
These creators built their fame on character-driven comedy, skits, and a distinct comedic voice.
- Ryan Higa was a comedic powerhouse known for his creative skits, parodies, and original music videos. His channel was one of the earliest to reach massive subscriber counts, and his well-produced skits set a new standard for comedy on the platform.
- ShaneDawsonTV (Shane Dawson) rose to fame with his outrageous comedy skits and larger-than-life characters. His content was often self-deprecating and highly edited, and he became one of the most-watched creators of the late 2000s.
- Fred (Lucas Cruikshank) was a phenomenon. His channel revolved around a single character: a hyperactive, high-pitched six-year-old named Fred Figglehorn. The character was so popular it led to a movie deal and a television series on Nickelodeon.
- Kassem G hosted the popular series California On and Going Deep, where he interviewed people in public places, often with a comedic and satirical twist. His unscripted style and witty banter made him a fan favorite.
The Pioneering Female Creators
These women were instrumental in building new genres and showcasing the diversity of content on YouTube.
- iJustine (Justine Ezarik) was a true pioneer, known for her tech reviews and unboxing videos. Her bubbly personality and early adoption of new technology made her one of the first female creators to achieve widespread success in a male-dominated niche.
- BubzBeauty was one of the earliest and most influential beauty creators. Her makeup tutorials and lifestyle vlogs were a staple for many, and her warm, down-to-earth personality built a massive following that helped pave the way for the beauty guru genre.
- MeekaKitty was a popular comedic creator known for her sketch comedy and music videos. She was part of the collaborative group 5 Guys/5 Girls, which showcased a variety of talented creators.
- Brittani Louise Taylor was known for her sketch comedy and a wide range of comedic characters. She often collaborated with other popular YouTubers and was an integral part of the early YouTube comedy scene.
The Unconventional & The Theatrical
These creators used YouTube in experimental ways, often blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
- LonelyGirl15 was a fictional video series presented as the video diary of a teenage girl named Bree. The series, which eventually revealed its scripted nature, was one of the first to go viral and explored a new form of narrative storytelling on the platform.
- ZeFrank created a daily show called The Show with Ze Frank from 2006 to 2007, where he discussed a variety of topics with his rapid-fire, witty style. He built a strong sense of community and audience participation that was a precursor to modern interactive content.
- Wheezy Waiter (Craig Benzine) was known for his clever vlogs and songs, often about his beard, that were both quirky and insightful. His video series 1000 Awesome Things showed his commitment to consistent and creative content.
- Rawn was a creator who gained attention for his raw and emotionally open vlogs, often discussing mental health and personal struggles. His candid approach was a precursor to the more personal vlogging that would become popular later.
The UK Scene and Beyond
The UK had a thriving early YouTube scene, with creators who defined a unique style of comedy and music.
- Charlieissocoollike (Charlie McDonnell) was the first UK YouTuber to reach one million subscribers. A multi-talented creator, they produced everything from musical comedy to short films, and played a key role in shaping the UK YouTube community.
- Nerimon (Alex Day) was a musician and vlogger who was a close collaborator of Charlie McDonnell. He was a member of the band Chameleon Circuit (who played Doctor Who themed songs) and gained fame for his songs, vlogs, and comedic content.
- LittleRadge (Liam Dryden) was another key figure in the UK/Scottish scene, known for his vlogs and music. He collaborated with many other UK creators and was part of the community that helped define the early British YouTube aesthetic. This included a channel with his then girlfiend.
- Tom Milsom was a blue-haired musician and filmmaker who was known for his quirky and creative songs and vlogs. His unique style made him a beloved figure in the UK community.
- 5 Awesome Guys/5 Awesome Girls were two early collaborative channels that brought together various YouTubers from the UK and US, creating a showcase for their comedic and musical talents. This included Kristina, Lauren, Kayley, Hayley and Liane for the girls. Then Alan Lastufka (fallofautumndistro), Charlie McDonnell (Charlieissocoollike) (nb. Charlie now goes by Charlotte), Alex Day (Nerimon) Todd Williams (Toddly00) and Johnny Durham (JohnnyDurham19).
The Niche and Influential
These creators had a unique style or subject matter that stood out from the crowd.
- ITalkToSnakes aka Kristina Horner was best known in the fandom-sphere for her contributions as a founding member of the Wizard Rock band The Parselmouths. She was also involved in the Nerdfighter community and was a member of an early collaboration channel, fiveawesomegirls. Horner's fans were known as "Unicorn Warriors."
- Alan Lusuftka Alan Lastufka (better known online as fallofautumndistro), was an American YouTuber who was once in the Top 100 Most Subscribed Comedians of All-Time on YouTube. His YouTube videos have had more than four million views.
So forget what Gen Z say, Zoella and the Brit Crew did not create YouTube. Before the crew were formed, there were plenty of influential original YouTubers popular around 2006/2007 making content in a way no one had previously done before. We had Ukeleles, Summer Meet Ups, Doctor Who and Wizard Rock as well as US/UK relationship drama, early tech reviews and plenty of videos about Muscle Beach in Santa Monica!
