Who Is Etika? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Etika, whose real name was Desmond Daniel Amofah, was born on May 12, 1990. He gained fame through his engaging content and charismatic personality on YouTube, where he predominantly focused on video game culture and reactions. His untimely passing in June 2019 left a significant mark on the online community; however, his legacy continues to live on through the memories of fans. In 2025, he would have been 35 years old.
| Occupation | YouTubers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1990 |
| Age | 35 Years |
| Birth Place | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Etika's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Etika was known for his distinct appearance. He stood at approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall and had a weight of around 190 pounds (86 kg) during his peak. While detailed body measurements are not widely available, his athletic build contributed to his dynamic presence both on and off-screen.
Based in New York, Amofah primarily resided in Brooklyn. Prior to his career as a gaming YouTuber, Amofah was active in modeling and rapping, having uploaded rap videos from 2007 to 2009 under the name "Iceman". He also released an independently-produced mixtape titled Written in Ice in 2007.
Amofah started modeling in his early twenties and continued until 2015. He owned an account on the modeling and social media website Model Mayhem, where he stated he was "quite tall" and that his last measurement of height was "six feet, six inches".
Amofah also dealt with homelessness, temporarily living in a shelter after quitting his job at Uniqlo to become a full-time YouTuber.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Etika was relatively private regarding his personal relationships. Throughout his career, he was linked to various names, but he didn't publicly confirm any long-term relationships. As a result, his relationship status in 2025 remains speculative. He often emphasized the importance of mental health and friendship, which resonated with many fans.
Desmond Daniel Amofah (May 12, 1990 – c. June 19, 2019), known online as Etika, was an American YouTuber and live streamer. Amofah became known online for his enthusiastic reactions to Super Smash Bros. character trailers and Nintendo Direct presentations and for playing and reacting to various games.
He resided in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, and his father is the Ghanaian politician Owuraku Amofah.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Etika’s net worth was estimated to be between $500,000 to $1 million. His income primarily stemmed from his YouTube and Twitch channels, merchandising, sponsorships, and collaborations. Despite his early passing, the ongoing tributes and interest in his work have kept his legacy financially alive, with continued donations in his honor contributing to mental health awareness initiatives.
Amofah's content was mainly Nintendo-focused. Initially centered around gaming news, his video output evolved to a focus on Let's Play videos of Nintendo games alongside reaction videos of gaming announcements, such as Nintendo Direct presentations.
Amofah's reaction videos were noted for their characteristic exaggerated and energetic style; they typically featured moments such as him falling out of his chair in elated shock and tossing objects around his room.
Amofah's channel garnered popularity in 2014 due to his reaction videos covering new information about the then-unreleased fighting game Super Smash Bros. 4.
One of his most notable reactions to the game was to the announcement of Pokémon character Mewtwo's inclusion as a DLC fighter; during the reaction, Amofah excitedly screams "Mewtwo!" with several profanities, in particular "Holy shit" and "My dick!" The video became Amofah's most viewed video on EWNetwork and was retweeted by the creator of the g
ame, Masahiro Sakurai.
A similar video where Amofah reacted to the announcement of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate also went viral in 2018. Amofah's channel continued to grow in popularity as he made more videos centered around his reactions to gaming news and YouTube drama; according to him, he was earning over $300,000 a year through his internet career.
Despite his earnings, Amofah revealed in a June 2017 video that he had dealt with multiple "chargebacks", or "fake donations" of large amounts of money sent to his PayPal account, which resulted in Amofah being charged with hundreds of dollars in processing fees.
Career, Business, and Investments
Etika began his career on YouTube in 2012, quickly establishing himself as a prominent figure in the gaming community through his energetic reaction videos, live streams, and vlogs. His candid discussions about mental health and authenticity garnered him a vast following. Although his career was tragically cut short, his influence on digital content creation has inspired countless creators.
Etika’s business ventures included merchandise sales featuring his logo and catchphrases, which resonated with his fanbase. Although he did not have extensive investments, his unique brand and massive online presence positioned him for potential future projects had he lived.
Amofah was reported missing on June 20, 2019, after an apologetic video was uploaded to his "TR1Iceman" channel. After recovering his body from the East River near the Manhattan Bridge, officials confirmed Amofah's death on June 25, finding it to be a suicide by drowning.
Amofah's death was met with expressions of shock and grief by fans and fellow YouTubers, with some observers commenting that the signs of Amofah's mental deterioration were either dismissed or ignored. Commemorations were held to honor Amofah's career as a gaming personality, including fan-made memorials and murals.
Social Network
Etika was a significant presence across multiple social media platforms, including:
- YouTube: With hundreds of thousands of subscribers, his YouTube channel was the cornerstone of his career.
- Twitch: His live streaming sessions drew in thousands of viewers, showcasing his vibrant personality and gaming skills.
- Twitter and Instagram: He used these platforms to connect with fans and share snippets of his personal life, humor, and thoughts on gaming trends.
Starting his online career in 2007, Amofah created his main YouTube channel, "EWNetwork" (Etika World Network), in 2012. His fanbase was dubbed the "JOYCONBOYZ" in reference to the Nintendo Switch controller, the Joy-Con. He garnered popularity following the release of Super Smash Bros.
4, primarily stemming from his reaction videos of news surrounding the game. His content consisted of playthroughs of various video games, reaction videos, and pre-recorded material. Across his multiple YouTube channels, he amassed over 1 million subscribers and 146 million views.
Education
Etika attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he studied fine arts. His educational background helped shape his creative expression and provided him with the tools to engage in content creation effectively. His artistry was evident in his dynamic streams and personality, making him a beloved figure across various platforms.
Amofah dubbed his fans the "JOYCONBOYZ", after the Nintendo Switch controllers known as the Joy-Con. The origin of the name came from a viral livestream in November 2016 where Amofah purported to have a Nintendo Switch console before its 2017 release.
After the stream came under scrutiny by viewers, it was revealed that the model Amofah displayed was 3D-printed by fellow YouTuber "Sandqvist" at his request, following a pre-recorded video Amofah uploaded titled "Life with Nintendo Switch" featuring the fake console.
Amofah would frequently end his videos with his signature catchphrase "Take care of yourselves, and of course, as usual, please have yourself a damn good one". In Japan, Amofah was commonly referred to as "Guile-kun" in reference to his hairstyle, which resembled the character Guile from the fighting game Street Fighter.
Though he primarily focused on Nintendo-related content, Amofah uploaded playthroughs of video games from multiple publishers, such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Doki Doki Literature Club!, and was also a fan of games such as Final Fantasy VII and Minecraft.
Amofah enjoyed anime and Japanese culture, frequently streaming himself watching series such as Attack on Titan while providing commentary.
