‘Queen City needed a king.’ TikTok influencer who recently moved to Charlotte dies
A 28-year-old TikTok influencer who recently moved to Charlotte and was known for his commentary on pop culture has died.
Malik Taylor’s death was confirmed Wednesday on Facebook by his former business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi- Zeta Phi at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. Taylor’s cause of death was not immediately clear Friday.
“To know him was to know he was a light to everyone—always bringing laughter, joy, and a warm smile that brightened every room he entered,” the Facebook post said. “Brother Taylor embodied the values of brotherhood, unity, and compassion. His ability to uplift others, share kindness, and spread joy will forever remain in our memories.”
Taylor had hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram, where he often provided comedic breakdown of things like the drama surrounding a 9-month Caribbean Cruise or his review of sing Chappell Roan’s new song ‘Subway.’ He also ran a YouTube page called ‘The Unpopular Party.’
Taylor, wearing a blue North Carolina hoodie, posted a photo in a new apartment on Jan. 27 on Instagram. He tagged the location in Charlotte and said it was a “New Year. New City. New Chapter!” in the caption.
In an Instagram video on Jan. 28, Taylor said that he was looking to move away from Memphis, where he grew up, because he felt “stagnant.” He said he considered Atlanta and Texas, but didn’t find them a good fit.
Taylor looked into moving to Charlotte after a recommendation from his sister, he said. He visited and said he could see himself living in Charlotte. Things moved smoothly from there after finding an apartment he liked and getting approved.
“I’m here till my lease is up,” he said. “If I love it, I’ll stay. If I dislike it, I’ll leave.”
In a video posted on TikTok Wednesday Taylor further explained why he moved to Charlotte.
“I heard the Queen City needed a king,” he said in the video. “And I took the throne.”
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM.
