When Majok Makur, famously known as Major Boy, left his South Sudanese village for Uganda in search of education, he carried with him little more than hope, humility, and the lessons of a tough upbringing.
Today, he’s not just a viral TikTok star but a youth ambassador, musician, emcee, and a voice for peace, using comedy to stitch together the fractured spirit of a war-torn generation.
“Being born in the village taught me humility and respect,” he said. “When I moved to Uganda, I didn’t just learn in class, I learned about life and self-esteem.”
Like many young South Sudanese, Majok’s formative years were shadowed by the civil wars that ravaged the country.
But instead of letting conflict define him, he chose comedy as a form of resistance and healing.
“I decided to be positive. The wars affected all of us, but I made a choice not to create content that brings back that pain,” he explained.
His content journey began in 2019, in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown. Influenced by creators like Yagga and Brain, Majok started posting comic skits and pranks, content that would soon catch fire.
“It was rough at the start. Poor network, criticism from friends and even family. But I turned that into fuel. I became more consistent. The ‘Major Boy’ you see today was built on persistence.”
In 2023, he released a video that changed everything.
“That first viral video gave me hope, hope that this could work. That I could really reach people,” he recalls.
His unique blend of street-smart humour and socially conscious messaging has earned him a growing international audience.
From TikTok to Instagram, his punchlines are woven with messages of unity, love, and peace.
“We’re the new generation,” Majok says with quiet confidence. “I see myself as a youth ambassador for peace. My content is for the voiceless, it’s about harmony.”
But he’s quick to acknowledge the tension of dual identity.
“I’ve grown up in both Uganda and South Sudan. That comes with its own complications. Some love what I do. Others criticise me for it.”
But he remains unfazed. “Criticism is part of growth. I took it as a sign I was doing something right. If no one is talking about you, you’re not pushing boundaries.”
Despite the visibility and influence, Majok says he hasn’t received any backing from his government.
“But my online community? They’ve pushed me further than I ever imagined.”
The hustle, however, hasn’t been without reward. When he relocated to Australia, he finally got monetised on TikTok.
“Back home, TikTok didn’t pay. But in Australia, I started earning, and that changed my life.”
Today, brands are knocking on his door. He’s currently working with Remit, a company that enables fast money transfers to South Sudan, and says more deals are in the pipeline.
“Content pays more than endorsements. Partnerships expire. But content? That’s mine forever.”
Yet, even now, he doesn’t splash his earnings.
“Content creation is exhausting. It’s not easy to make money from it. But I reinvest every shilling I make.”
Recently, he splurged on a new Mercedes-Benz, his first car and a long-time dream.
“It cost me $37,000,” he smiles. “That’s about KSh4.85 million. It’s a 2024 model, loaded with crazy features. I enjoy every ride, especially when I’m heading to work.”
His advice to aspiring content creators?
“Start now. Don’t let the situation in your country limit you. It’s not easy in the beginning. But with consistency, dreams become reality. God is the greatest!”