Hakeem ‘Uncle’ Bryan banks on belief

For Hakeem ‘Uncle’ Bryan, content creation has become more than entertainment – it is a reflection of modern Jamaican life in all its movement, ambition, and reinvention.

The 29-year-old creator, whose wildly popular Uncle Tries series has become a social media favourite, has built a loyal following through a signature blend of humour, authenticity, and community spirit. But what continues to resonate most with audiences is not only his vibrant personality but the way his platform has evolved alongside his own life.

What began as a way to break free from routine has grown into a recognisable digital brand.

An early Twitter user known for his wit, Bryan was encouraged by friends to take his humour to video. A taste-test review of chicken wings proved to be the spark. The clip quickly found traction, drawing an audience that would later form the foundation of his expanding online presence.

His instinct for adaptability, however, was shaped long before social media.

Raised between the inner-city community of Cockburn Gardens, formerly Cockburn Pen, and rural Jamaica with his grandfather, Bryan says the ability to move between worlds became one of his defining strengths.

“The adaptability just showcases who I am as a Jamaican because that’s our number one characteristic,” shared the Wolmer’s Boys’ School and Jamaica College alumnus.

That adaptability is evident in the way his content has shifted and evolved. While early posts leaned heavily into food content – “mi a wanga belly,” he shared with a laugh, today his platform is more expansive.

From Pilates and netball to farming and even flying, Bryan’s content now leans into wellness, curiosity, and self-discovery, offering viewers a window into experiences that encourage them to step outside their own comfort zones.

“There’s so much to this thing called life,” he shared.

At the heart of it all is authenticity.

“You don’t have to know me for a long time to know who I am because me wear me heart on my sleeve ... my voice is authentic, personable, relatable, and inviting,” he said.

That openness extends beyond the easy humour viewers have come to love.

“Like the moon, me guh through phases of emptiness and fullness,” Bryan shared, candidly describing the weight that often comes with balancing visibility, opportunity, and expectation.

There are moments, he admits, when exhaustion sets in.

“Sometimes, me feel empty, drained from all that me have to do. But just like the moon, even when mi can’t shine bright, mi still present.”

For many young Jamaicans juggling multiple responsibilities, that honesty hits home.

Bryan balances a full-time job, entrepreneurial ventures, and a dedicated fitness routine, all while maintaining an active digital presence.

“My biggest challenge is time management ... because we have to do so much to survive and still we can’t neglect our community,” he said.

That sense of responsibility has become central to his work.

From the beginning, Bryan says he was intentional about the kind of content he wanted to create.

“I wanted to put out things that my mom, pops, and grandfather would be proud of ... things that would help people, whether by entertaining them or providing exposure.”

As his platform grew, so, too, did his understanding of its influence.

Most recently, Bryan appeared as a panellist at Red Stripe’s Responsibility Now Town Hall under the theme From Likes to Action: How Influencers Shape Choices, a discussion centred on how digital culture is shaping real-world decisions, particularly among younger audiences.

In a landscape where attention is currency, Bryan remains focused on longevity over momentary virality.

“Responsible content means putting out visuals that I will be proud of for years to come,” he said, adding with a laugh, “better them ask ‘daddy, why ya eat the chicken inna one bite?’”

For Bryan, impact is ultimately measured offline.

One of the moments that stands out most for him was donating netball gear to the Lewis District in St Ann.

“Seeing the response from the people ... was heart-warming,” he recalled.

If his content is about trying new things, his message is rooted in something deeper: belief.

“Mi wah create a legacy weh people nuh scared fi do things,” he said.

It is a philosophy that has become both a personal mantra and a public invitation – to move past fear, embrace possibility, and trust that reinvention is always within reach.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com