KINGSTON, Jamaica – In the throes of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Rogay Clarke now popularly known as Swiis Lee set out on a journey to make his mark on the social media landscape. Just aged 19 at the time, the comedian said many people scoffed at his chosen career path, but he was confident he would excel in the field. Today, he beams with pride as he reflects on his journey while maintaining a positive outlook for the future.

“I knew this would happen for me. I was always serious about what I did. I love to entertain people. It was something that came naturally for me and so when things started falling into place, I wasn’t surprised,” he told Observer Online.

With more than half a million followers on TikTok and 400,000 on Instagram, Lee, who recently received the ‘US Best Creator Award’ at the Tiktok Live Fest in Los Angeles, said he had to put in a lot of work to get to where he is now. He said that contrary to popular belief, the role of a content creator takes immense dedication and consistency.

“A lot of people think that this is easy and I understand why. Anybody can pick up their phone and make a video and it go viral but it’s what you do after that one video opens the door,” he said. “This takes drive and it takes consistency. When you get the attention of the people, you have to keep coming up with ways to keep them entertained and build your following. That is where the work comes in. You have to find creative ways of doing stuff. You have to put out unique content, make videos that set you apart from everybody else. You have to find your niche.”

Speaking of niche, the entertainer said he recognised that people gravitate towards content that mimics the ‘larger-than-life’ persona Jamaicans possess. He also shared that persons enjoy content relating to being raised a Jamaican. He expressed that having figured out the latter, he tends to do videos along that line.

With his sights firmly set on one day making his acting debut, Swiis Lee says with all that he has accomplished so far, he is just getting started.

Swiis Lee says with all that he has accomplished so far, he is just getting started. (Photo: Contributed)

“I am grateful for the support and the fans I have gained so far but this is just the beginning for me. Social media has allowed me to provide for my family as the breadwinner but I have so much more that I want to do,” he said. “People know me in Jamaica and some parts of the US. I think I will know that I have truly reached my goals when people all over the world know me. When me can go some place pan di next side a di world and go pan some stage and dem know say a Swiis dat, mi make it fi true. I also want to be in a movie one day, that is the ultimate goal.”

Naming veteran actor Glen ‘Titus’ Campbell as one of his biggest inspirations, the young comedian said if he could get a role in a feature alongside Campbell, it would be a career highlight.

“Titus is my favourite actor and comedian. I think I adopted a lot of his ways and people say we personalities similar so if me coulda get a role in something he is involved in, it would be huge for me,” he said.

With some big goals still on his list of things to accomplish, Swiis Lee told Observer Online that he will continue charting his course as he looks to make not only himself and his family proud, but his country as he turns his attention to the global stage.