12

Kareem Rahma

Internet Funnyman



So far, Kareem Rahma has packed more into his 38 years than most people do into a lifetime.

Egyptian? Yes. 
Midwesterner? Yes. 
New Yorker? Yes. 
Brooklynite? Yes. 
Corporate employee? Yes. 
Post-exit founder? Yes. 
Media entrepreneur? Yes.
Comedian? Yes. 
Musician? Yes. 
Published author? Yes. 
Film producer? Yes. 
Pizza gallerist? Improbably, yes.

Is there anything that isn’t a “yes” for Kareem? Well, tune into his viral Instagram series @subwaytakes and indeed, he’s not afraid to blast “100% disagree” when it’s time to say no. 

In this episode of At Large, we’ll hear how Kareem Rahma built a livelihood pioneering essentialist internet video formats for a divided nation with a shrinking attention span, without losing his fresh optimism and vibe of disheveled cool.

Between commandeering the L train for his impromptu hit talk show and hopping into yellow cabs to tell drivers “take me to your favorite place in the city and keep the meter running,” Kareem has collapsed the distance between what he wants and what he does by refusing to let asking for permission be part of his creative process.

Listen : Spotify | Apple | YouTube


“What can I do without having to ask anyone for anything?" 





Show Index

00:58 Early Career and Vice Media
02:00 The Humorist's Journey
05:52 Growing Up in Minnesota
08:14 The Kareem Tax: Early Hustles
12:17 Moving to New York and Landing at Vice
17:29 Joining the New York Times
23:44 Founding Nameless Network
35:27 Creating Without Permission
40:00 Exploring Music
43:50 The Success of Subway Takes
56:17 Off The Cuff 


Show Notes