One Million followers in Twitter is a benchmark any adult entertainer dreams of. Perhaps there are others who have gotten there, but Rhyheim Shabazz is the first one in my Pornuniverse.
Celebrating the Joy of Sex
This week Rhyheim Shabazz’ Twitter reached the One Million followers mark. This blogger is ecstatic at the news, for several reasons.
Certainly, the satisfaction of finding our personal preferences validated by popularity is always reinforcing. Additionally, when no one yet knew who he was, we foresaw and predicted his success. The fact that we were right, proved beyond any questions by the one million mark, is a huge boost to our ego.
Furthermore, Rhyheim’s is much more than an impressive history of personal success. Since the very beginning, his brand has been about collaboration and support amongst peers, about inclusion and diversity, about deepening our understanding of the sexual experience, and about expanding the menu of acceptable sexual practices.
This One Million mark illuminates (although does not inaugurates) a new porn landscape: there is a before and after Rhyheim Shabazz. His success has made evident the possibilities of independent adult productions, and has eclipsed mainstream porn studios. And the timing could not be more favorable. His rocketing to stardom seems to herald the arrival of a more sex positive and less individualistic mainstream culture.
Indeed, more than enough reasons to be ecstatic. Today, I propose you to follow Rhyheim’s ascension throughout our reporting since we discovered him.
The beginning
In March 2019 we published this article: Gay Porn Superstar is born? A brief exposition to the newbie’s talents had left me astonished and hopeful. I just read again the article. It makes me proud to see how many characteristics of what would be a groundbreaking porn brand I was already identifying.
However, this blogger was just guessing. Now we know it was intuition, but back then we thought that it may be just wishful thinking. Besides forecasting Rhyheim’s success, the article posed a lot of questions. I was so flabbergasted at what I thought I was seeing, though, that I could not leave it there. I reached out and asked for an interview. We’ve never done that before with other stars we admired.
Big Bro’s initial response was kind but negative. He politely refused my request. Now we know he does not like interviews, and that was the reason he gave when refusing my proposal. Fortunately, he actually read my first report and changed his mind.
Rhyheim contacted me back and we planned an interview that would turn into a series of three conversations. That is when I wrote my second post, announcing the incoming publication. Far away from the One Million mark, his following en Twitter was 54.2K on March 11, 2019.
The interviews
Gladly, Rhyheim liked our blog and afforded us the privilege to interviewing him not once, but three times. The first interview was published on March 14th. I strongly advise you to read it if you have not. Throughout the conversation our idol was already laying down the major features of what his brand was going to become.
I am smiling alone when I read about other stars who back then were at the unreachable mark of 150K followers. Amongst other breaking news, Rhyheim was announcing the opening of his own fans page. Until then, he was featured as guess in many other porn artists’ fans pages.
In March 24th, we published the second interview. Rhyheim’s Twitter following was then 75K. No one was yet foreseeing he would reach to One Million mark. In this conversation we went deeper on some of his personal traits, following up on the first episode topics.
When now I read it in retrospective, my respect and affection for Big Bro keeps growing. After plenty of occasions were we interacted since then, I can tell he was being a honest straight talker.
Finally, on April 23rd the third interview went out. While in the second chapter we dove into his personal life and character, now we dug into his mindset, experiences, and views on sex.
Rising to One Million
Right before the third interview, we had published another report on the newbie’s light speed popularity rising. His following in Twitter was 106K by April 21st. Although nowadays, when he reached the one million mark, such a number may seem tiny, it was impressive at the moment. After all, the account was just three months old.
Through countless collaborations with a wide variety of performers, Rhyheim had been adding new audiences at a speed never seen before. Some of his major gains came from more stable partnerships with well established porn stars. When we wrote Keeps Rising, he was starting one of the longest lasting and most prolific partnerships in his meteoric career: Jay Alexander.
By then, we were already developing a better understanding of Big Bro’s erotica.
Rhyheim Shabazz’ Vanilla Renaissance
It was right there, when Rhyheim and Jay were kissing on top of a new wave of new followers, that the first draft of our understanding of Big Bro’s brand came out. Later on, we would improve this understanding. However, at this point, I came to name it “Vanilla Renaissance”.
By then, the most stable partnership that would take Rhyheim to the One Million mark was consolidated. Although his name was EagleEye for some time, soon he would become for ever EyeFilmz. His camera was documenting an endless parade of porn performers coming to submit to Big Bro’s charm. Not only the numbers, but also the names were impressive.
Rhyheim and Chino Blac
The number of porn stars of all categories who were visiting the legendary bedroom was overwhelming. Now we are in May. Our newbie had been in the spot for only four months and everyone wanted to ride his cock. His Twitter following on May 18th, 2019 had reached 136K. Back then, we were choking at that number just as Chino choked during weed kissing.
I wonder what collaborations Rhyeim would recognize as most significant in the building up to the One Million mark. We would probably disagree. It is easier to identify prolific longer lasting partnerships like Sean’s and Jay’s. When speaking about one time collaborations, though, there are just too many to consider.
This blogger has no problem accepting his bias. I firmly believe that the day Rhyheim Shabazz and Chino Blac fucked, not only the mark jumped closer to One Million. Besides, my soul was refilled and rejuvenated. Or should I rather say ejaculated? Because I think I also broke a personal record.
Brazil and the One Million Mark
One of the building blocks for his One Million following was Rhyheim’s partnership with Brazilian performers. In June 2019, Big Bro visited Brazil for the first time during his porn career. Taking advantage of contacts made in previous visits, he quickly put together a memorable international independent production.
Besides several well known Brazilian porn artists, he imported Will Schokolade from Uruguay, and so completed a trinational cast. Another long lasting, prolific partnership started during this trip: Italo Andrade.
Rhyheim would return to Brazil several times. Italo has been the only local artist who remained at the core of all those productions. Other Brazilian stars have come and go, but Italo has become Big Bro’s Brazilian alter ego.
Adding to One Million
Traditional porn industry common sense would advise us to find our niche and to exploit it. Instead, Rhyheim built to the One Million mark by claiming unexpected porn territories. In Is Rhyheim Shabazz a genius? we discussed this spirit of inclusiveness that characterizes his production.
Rhyheim’s range of collaborators seems to have an unreachable frontier that includes almost everyone. The referred article was inspired on his collaboration with Kurt Jacobs in June 2019. However, this was not the first time Big Bro would jump to reach our to a diverse audience. And of corse it was not the last one.
In August he collaborated with The Cash Twins in another breakthrough performance. At the same time, he was releasing scenes with Jack Hunter and Judas King, sweeping through studios as well as independent porn audiences.
In September 2019, seven months after opening his Twitter account, his following was reaching 248K.
300 K and a stumble in the path to One Million
Rhyheim’s meteoric rising to One Million slowed down on the first days of November. During these days a blackmailing crisis took over Twitter and other social media. Back then, we were guessing that perhaps another performer may be behind the attacks. That’s why we talked about Porn Stars Wars.
By the end of November 2019 the crisis was over. Rhyheim’s Twitter account was reinstated and we never heard again about the blackmailer. During our visit to Rio that month, we met with Victor, Italo, and Yuri, and sent to Big Bro the clip illustrating this section.
In December 2019, Max Konnor broke the 300K ceiling. It was a historic event, as never before a Black adult entertainer had reached such following. A few days later, Rhyheim emulated him.
Rhyheim, Ruslan, and Krave
This was another groundbreaking independent collaboration. Do not lose perspective, after almost two years of pandemic we got used to Big Bro’s independent super productions. However, this was December 2019, and he was a newbie with 10 months of career, summoning monsters like Krave Melanin and Ruslan Angelo.
This porn talent convention was impressive and prolific. Several premium quality scenes, from overcrowded orgies to One on Ones, passing through smaller groups, came out from this partnership. Not only the talent on stage was exceptional. Also the man behind the camera contributed to these outstanding quality productions.
We do not recognize him enough. Rhyheim Shabazz would have not reached the One Million mark this fast without EyeFilmz‘ craft and talent behind.
Big Bro even took Ruslan to his next trip to Rio. Going back to what scenes we would recognize as historic, we have a long lasting period of memorable productions here. We are just a few months from the beginning of the pandemic, amidst an explosion of quality, creativity, talent, and of course massive following.
Shabazz & Zevran at Cockyboys
Unlike other cases, I am not highlighting this scene because it was memorable. I do not think it was. Perhaps it helped to build up to One Million followers, but I am not sure. However, this production for Cockyboys is historic for reasons others than itself.
Timtales‘ exclusive contract was over. Big Bro’s rising star was free lance and able to accept offers from the studios. Nevertheless, able does not mean ready. Rhyheim took the offer from Cockyboys when he was considering whether or not he was actually interested in working for studios now and then. This scene for the porn factory that had Sean as exclusive artist has been, I am sure, significant to make his mind.
Unfortunately, we will never know how significant. As the scene was released, the pandemic started. The whole industry shut down. Right when the studios were ready to fight for a contract, they had to close business for a long time.
How much did his last studio production’s experience weight on his final decision? How much did the fact that studio productions vanished? I wonder if even Rhyheim has an answer for this question.
The fact is that Shabazz & Zevran at Cockyboys marks the end of Rhyheim’s interest in studio work. Furthermore, it heralded the Golden Age of Independent Porn.
Neo Vanilla Porn
Not only pandemic isolation forced me to stay alone, masturbating at home while watching porn. Additionally, the Black Lives Matter protests educated us on self awareness and cultural deconstruction. I would come back home from the protests, to jerk off at excellent Shabazz porn. After busting, I was ready for some porn analysis.
Our initially drafted concept to describe Big Bro’s erotica was “Porn Vanilla Renaissance“. We were ready to upgrade that first draft. Talking about a rebirth was not descriptive of how Vanilla was actually being redefined. Therefore, we came with a new concept: Neo Vanilla Porn.
Middle Road to One Million
It was July 2020. We were still far away from the One Million mark. However, Big Bro had left behind all other Black stars and was now going for White mainstream mega porn stars. It took him about 18 months to become the unquestioned Number One Black Porn Star. His 530K mark is more than one year old today, and still not reached by other Black performers.
I invite you to click on the above linked article. You will see a summary of all the smoking hot material delivered during the first months of the pandemic. This is a period where you will see more solos than usual, like the example illustrating this section. Also, I recommend to check Get the Lube!
That recompilation of best scenes until August 2020 includes many pearls. Amongst them, we can enjoy Rhyheim and Elijah’s first meeting. Today, we know it was important.
BRASIL, BRASIL
In September 2020, Rhyheim Shabazz delivered a new ground breaking production. Again in Brazil, but this time not in Rio but nearby. He took about 15 Brazilian adult performers to Buzios. Never before an independent porn creator had summoned such a crowded cast, for an international production. I doubt a studio has ever done it either.
Despite how impressed we were at such a production, he soon eclipsed himself. Big Bro returned to Rio in November, and this time not only flew Brazilian porn stars from all over the country. Additionally, he brought a group of USA performers, and a Venezuelan super star. We had the privilege to share some time with the group.
For this blogger, meeting EyeFilmz and Big Bro was a learning experience. Evidently, we had paid a lot of attention to the qualities of their pornography. However, although it had been noticed, we never focused on their working culture. After expending time with all of them in that occasion, I wrote The Cooperative. Take a read.
Rhyheim and Sean Ford
In between those two Brazilian expeditions, Rhyheim, Sean and EyeFilmz gave us another pearl. The chemistry between both performers was great. So great actually, that I would have liked them to continue collaborating.
Although that did not happen, this single scene is iconic to me. On this corner of the bed, Sean Ford. He was and is one of the most recognized and popular studio performers. On this other corner, Rhyheim Shabazz, the man leading the independent gay porn boom. To me, it was like the King of the Studios came to surrender and recognize the One and Only King. What a wonderful kick in the balls for mainstream gay porn factories.
Rhyheim and Krave
I do not thinK it is a secret. To me, Krave Melanin is the sexiest man in the Milky Way. We bounced on the walls out of excitement after he collaborated with Rhyheim the first time. Imagine my reaction when I saw my two favorite porn performers working together! Out of aroused enthusiasm, I even dare to demand that Rhyheim and Krave must fuck.
Although they did not do it as soon as we all would have liked it, the big moment finally arrived in April 2021. I do not know whether or not Rhyheim and Krave was a groundbreaking scene. However, I do know I may have broken something after so many masturbation sessions inspired by their interaction.
Not only they fucked without others distracting us. In collaboration with EyeFilmz and other performers, more hot scenes were released.
Additionally, the promise of Krave collaborating often with The Cooperative keeps me waiting for more.
ONE MILLION
We got to July 2021 and to the historic One Million mark. As in July 7th, Rhyheim’s following in Twitter is more than 6K over 1M. Indeed, it is an admirable achievement for any gay adult artist. We could even say, easily, that it is a remarkable achievement for any mainstream celebrity.
Besides the satisfaction from success and recognition, Big Bro is also enjoying his special bond with Elijah Zayne. Fortunately to all of us, they are generously sharing wonderful moments. We will not diminish the quality of the endless stream of images by commenting on it. Their Beauty and Joy speak for themselves.
Hopefully, you enjoyed following Rhyheim’s trajectory through our words. I cannot help but smiling when I remember my first conversations with Big Bro. Back then, when he was starting in this business, he was confident no one would remember him after 10 months.
I am so fucking glad he was wrong.
Stay tuned.
Hasta la próxima pinga, amig@s!
