The controversial timeline of Island Boys from 2021 to 2022 - went viral in October; ridiculed and booed in November; issues with Logan Paul and Bryce Hall; Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart mocked them in December; Keemstar and Bryce Hall interview, then the Cameo issue with the army and a clip of physical abuse in January; their house raided by police in February; clip of a group kiss on Instagram went viral, and then Dovi Benzer, their manager, accused them of owing money in April.
Alex and Franky Venegas alias Island Boys are identical twins, famed for a TikTok clip they uploaded, rapping their original song “I am an Island Boy”, which went viral for its catchy tune and their weird spike-locked hairstyle and numerous tattoos, on 12th October 2021. They are caught up in a lot of controversies recently with many celebrities, fellow TikTokers and YouTubers.
Their success for the song was quite short-lived, as they became a meme afterwards and then were heckled and booed in the Miami Club on 25th December. The twenty-year-olds have accepted being in juvenile prison during their teenage years and that's how they got the idea of being rappers and trying their luck in the music industry.
Why did the Island Boys clash with Jake and Logan Paul?
On 4th December, the Island Boys were interviewed by George Janko i.e. co-host of the “Impaulsive” Podcast. During the interview, George suggested the Boys invest their money in case their music career didn’t pan out, to which the Boys responded imprudently and said that they don’t need financial advice. They further added that the Boys earn more than George and stormed out from the interview. The Boys were heard saying, “You know me from Island Boys but you know I'm thuggin, bro, right?”
Days later, Jake Paul had a fight with professional boxer Tyron Woodley and the Island Boys supported Jake. They even sang a version of Island Boys as Boxer Boy. However, YouTuber Daniel Keem A.K.A Keemstar tweeted that “the Boys were thrown out for throwing shoes”. As a response, the Boys said that they didn’t do it, but the guys who were hanging with them did, and they were not thrown out as suggested.
The feud went on further with another episode of Implausive in which co-host Majlak said that the Boys were booed and thrown stuff at when they entered the premises, and Jake responded that “for you to have the audacity to stand up to George Janko, the nicest guy in the world, and say 'I am thugging,' you're a fucking punk. With the palm trees coming out of their head? Like, shut the fuck up." Alex Venegas tried to explain the situation to the audience with three videos he posted on TikTok. A fight was suggested by the fans.
Island Boys feud with Bryce Hall, Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart?
Bryce Hall is a twenty three year old TikToker with more than twenty million followers. He commented on Alex’s video regarding Jake Paul saying “guys... he's thuggin, chill out”, as a response the Boys posted a TikTok clip mockingly asking Hall about his achievements.
On December 28, a streaming platform Peacock released “2021 and Done with Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart” discussing the most viral moments of the year in a comedic manner, where Kevin Hart and Snoop Dogg hilariously ridiculed the boys and both of them kept laughing.
The issue aggravated with Hall during Island Boys' interview with Keemstar on 10th January, which was also joined by Bryce Hall, shocking the Boys. Plenty of insults and roasts were exchanged and ended with the Boys using homophobic slurs against Hall, before ending the video call abruptly. On 13th January, Bryce uploaded a video on YouTube titled “I scared the Island Boys” and continued to mock the twins.
Island Boys arrested for physical abuse and murder?
These are two separate issues. In late January, a video surfaced and went viral. It showed a man resembling either of the Island Boys a lot, with a woman, fighting and shouting. They were seen exchanging punches and in the end, the guy was seen crying.
Due to the resemblance of the man with either of the Boys, Twitter and TikTok users called the video as “Cryland Boy ''. However, the boys have neither agreed nor denied allegations of physical abuse or being the guy in the video posted.
On 7th February, the Island Boys home was raided by the police to arrest the individual Andrew James Thomas, in relation to a shooting that killed an eight year old girl. In the defense of Boys, Dovi Benzer - manager of Boys - said that Andrew is a childhood friend of the Boys and they had no idea about the murder he allegedly committed. Andrew was charged with “attempted first degree murder with a firearm”.
Are the Island Boys Broke?
On 29th June, Dovi Benzer, who represented the Boys during the raid in February, said on a podcast “No Jumper” that he no longer represents the Boys. He was supposed to get a percentage of their profits from Cameo, but he didn’t receive any. Moreover, he further explained that the Island Boys are under heavy financial strain and that they owe him $150,000.
Cameo is a platform through which celebrities can send short messages and clips to their fans for specific charges. Benzer said, “When I was with them, they were coming in hot. It was like two-three hours a night, straight into cameos. That's literally their only source of income. And it's pretty much over.” The Island Boys haven’t responded to Benzer’s claims.
FAQs
Q. Did the Island Boys promote Army recruitment?
A. Orlando Tamez, a Texas based army recruiter reposted a video on TikTok, 25th January where the Venegas brothers can be seen giving a shout-out to him and promoting army recruiting through Cameo. However, it is under investigation, as Orlando's account was not authorized for official use.
Q. Are the Island Boys gay?
A. On 25th April, a video was uploaded on Instagram where Alex and Franky and two other girls were involved in a group kiss. There have been prior instances where the Boys came so close as they were about to kiss, but never did. Island Boys replied to such allegations that they would never kiss each other, as they are brothers.
Q. Do the Island Boys fight on purpose or is it just a coincidence?
A. A bit of both actually. Their feuds with celebrities and controversies in which they just played a role, are two very different things. But, as a whole, they are either directly or indirectly involved in a plethora of controversies.
Q. Will Bryce Hall and the Island Boys have a fight?
A. Bryce confirmed on a Vlog that the two will fight soon enough, as the boys have agreed. However, there has been no further confirmation by the Island Boys or the details of the fight, if there is one.
