JAKE KRANTZ FOR ROWING BLAZERS

You’ve definitely seen his viral videos. He’s the funniest man on TikTok. From the quirky style of his videos (almost always with no spoken words), to his relatable themes, genius writing, and deadpan expressions, Jake Krantz has created his own genre in comedy. He’s also a man of style and taste… and we were fortunate to chat with this usually silent legend-in-the-making. (Photography by Sissi Lu).

Rowing Blazers: Why is comedy important to you? What makes you laugh the most?

Jake Krantz: I think comedy really brings people together. It’s a great way to see how similar we all are on the inside. You scroll on social media and realize you’ve had a lot of the same experiences and feelings of millions of people you’ve never met. I think when you can tap into a feeling that a lot of people share and show it in a unique way, that makes me laugh the most.

RB: Who are some of your favorite comedians, and why?

JK: I’m a big fan of Steve Martin. When I was in high school I discovered his stand up. It was super innovative for the time. He had a super off-beat style that went against the grain. People were used to a pretty basic joke structure from comedians back then. But Steve Martin had his own style. I’m always a fan of people who create something new.

RB: What about TikTok makes it a good medium for comedy?

JK: The best thing about it is the For You page. It gives everyone a chance to get their work seen and build their own audience. It gives you the opportunity to be in control of your own career.

RB: What does fashion mean to you? What do your clothes say about you?

JK: I’m a visual person and I love visual art. I love fashion because it's a visual art you can wear. You can be walking art.

RB: How would you describe your personal style? Who are some of your personal style icons?

JK: I feel like my personal style has been changing a lot recently. For a while it was just streetwear. I still like streetwear but lately I’ve been trying to mix it up a bit. On Instagram I get so many targeted ads of random fashion brands I haven’t heard of. I love it because I’ve been discovering so many unique things lately. I’m a big fan of Frank Ocean’s style. It’s not overly flashy, but he has a really good eye for interesting pieces that really catch your eye.

RB: What’s one piece of clothing you can’t imagine living without?

JK: Probably my Nike Stussy Spiridon sneakers. I think those might be the best sneakers of all time. They look cool with everything. I’ve really worn them to death. Might be time for a new pair.

RB: How do clothes play a role in your comedy, if at all?

JK: The videos I’ve made so far are very visual. I haven’t talked much at all yet. The emphasis is on the visuals so I definitely try to choose clothes that complement the image or add a level of humor.

RB: What about Rowing Blazers resonates with you?

JK: I think what makes Rowing Blazers special is how unique it is. It’s great when you have a vision for something that is really specific that stands out from the crowd. It’s also cool to take old styles that have existed for so long and make them feel new again.

RB: What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?

JK: I most recently watched the documentary What Happened Miss Simone. So recently I’ve been going through and listening to a lot of Nina Simone songs. She really is a genius. Music documentaries are my favorite thing to watch.

RB: You’re going to your favorite bar: what is it, and what are you drinking?

JK: There is a bar on Houston Street in New York City called The Folly. It’s just a dive bar but it’s a lot nicer than it needs to be. Whenever you don’t know where else to go it is a reliable spot that is always super chill. I get an old fashioned.

RB: Any big goals you hope to accomplish within the next five to ten years?

JK: The whole point of me doing all of this is to be a filmmaker. I see my TikToks as super low-budget short movies. I’ve focused really hard on it this past year to build an audience and get people interested in my work. Next I’ll be doing longer YouTube videos and then ultimately will be directing my own narrative films. I’m excited to get more into the fashion world as well. I love fashion and see so many opportunities to be creative in that space. 

Keep up with Jake on TikTok and Instagram, and shop the looks from the shoot here.