Kareem Rahma
An Egyptian-American creative who turned spontaneous subway conversations into a viral interview series, capturing the unfiltered pulse of New York City.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American comedian and artist·Birthday: July 15·Millennials
Biography
Kareem Rahma operates at the intersection of media, comedy, and street-level anthropology. A former digital strategist at The New York Times and a founding member of the media collective Nameless Network, Rahma found his most authentic voice not in a boardroom but on the New York City subway. His series 'Subway Takes' features him casually interviewing strangers on the train, disarming them with his low-key demeanor to elicit surprisingly profound, funny, and human responses. The project blossomed from an Instagram experiment into a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its raw slice-of-life moments. Beyond the trains, Rahma advises media companies like XTR and creates art that often explores identity and connection. His work argues that the most compelling stories aren't scripted; they're sitting right across from you, waiting for someone to ask.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kareem was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kareem Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Kareem's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Created and hosts the viral digital interview series 'Subway Takes,' garnering millions of views online.
- Was a founding member and head of content for the media company Nameless Network.
- Served as a senior advisor for the storytelling studio and production company XTR.
- Previously worked as a digital strategist and video producer for The New York Times.
Did You Know?
He is of Egyptian descent.
The idea for 'Subway Takes' was partly inspired by his own long commute.
He has interviewed celebrities like Desus Nice on the subway for the series.
Before media, he studied business at the University of Southern California.
“I ask strangers one question on the subway every day.”
