Josh2Funny

The “Don’t Leave Me” challenge was started by Nigerian comedian and skit maker Chibuike Josh Alfred, popularly known as Josh2Funny. The trend originated from a video he posted on March 24, 2020, where he used clever wordplay involving a leaf and the phrase “taking your leave.” In the skit, Josh2Funny steps on a leaf and jokes about being “on leave,” while his friend, Bello Kreb, humorously yells, “Don’t leave me!” This simple yet witty concept resonated globally, sparking a wave of similar videos featuring puns and wordplay accompanied by the iconic phrase. The challenge gained massive traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram by June 2020, with millions of people worldwide recreating their own versions.

Josh2Funny’s comedic ingenuity played a significant role in the viral success of the challenge. Known for his versatility and creativity, he has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading internet comedians. His career began in stand-up comedy before transitioning to online skits in 2016. Over the years, he has created multiple characters and trends that reflect Nigerian culture and humor. The #DontLeaveMe challenge was not his first viral success; he had previously gained recognition for his “All My Guys Are Ballers” trend. However, the simplicity and replicability of the #DontLeaveMe format allowed it to transcend borders, amassing over 300 million views on TikTok alone.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when people sought lighthearted entertainment online, this challenge provided a much-needed outlet for creativity and humor. Its universal appeal—centered on wordplay—made it accessible to diverse audiences. Despite some instances of misattribution of credit for the trend’s creation, Josh2Funny’s originality and comedic brilliance remain widely recognized. Today, he continues to inspire global trends while representing Nigerian talent on international platforms like America’s Got Talent.

 Sources/Related Articles

1. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/dont-leave-me-take-me-with-you
2. https://themoveee.com/nigerian-comedian-josh2funny-stuns-americas-got-talent-judges-with-hilarious-act/
3. https://time.com/5861141/dont-leave-me-challenge/
4. https://www.girlfriend.com.au/entertainment/tiktok-dont-leave-me-challenge/
5. https://www.okayafrica.com/josh-2-funny-nigerian-comedian-dont-leave-me-challenge-interview/
6. https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-53203250
7. https://www.yahoo.com/news/dont-leave-challenge-lets-tiktok-164053374.html
8. https://www.mynigeria.com/person/Josh2funny-2847
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A0nG_5vVjs
10. https://biography.igbopeople.org/biography/chibuike-josh-alfred-josh2funny/
11. https://wikilifeng.com/about/josh2funny
12. https://www.nairaland.com/7797903/josh2funny-biography-early-life-age
13. https://www.afrocritik.com/5-nigerian-skit-makers-comedy-music/
14. https://vocal.media/humans/how-i-ended-up-on-america-s-got-talent-josh2-funny

Social Media Posts

1. https://www.tiktok.com/@hiptv__/video/7326923172102606085
2. https://www.tiktok.com/discover/dont-leave-me-dont-leave-me-trend?lang=en
3. https://www.tiktok.com/@klintdadrunk/video/6841610100646464774
4. https://www.tiktok.com/@realmikemizzle/video/6839071657844313349
5. https://www.tiktok.com/@mcshemcomedian/video/6839446261335084294
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V78njlo0IJw&pp
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7TNyinAM44
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8U7kMcRiWk
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI_9bn1GiLw