FaZe Rug is Brian Rafat Awadis, a 29-year-old YouTuber from San Diego with over 28 million subscribers. He built his career through prank videos, vlogs, and gaming content. On December 27, 2025, he left FaZe Clan after 13 years as a co-owner and director.
FaZe Rug Left FaZe Clan in December 2025
On December 27, 2025, Brian Awadis announced his departure from FaZe Clan. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) that after 13 years with the organization, he was closing this chapter of his career.
The announcement came during a mass exodus of FaZe creators, with multiple members leaving within days of each other. His exit marked the end of an era for one of YouTube’s most recognizable gaming personalities.
FaZe Rug had been with the organization since January 2013 and eventually became a co-owner when FaZe Clan began distributing shares to prominent members. His departure raised questions about the future of both his career and the organization itself.
The timing surprised many fans. FaZe Rug was among the most subscribed members of FaZe Clan and had been instrumental in the organization’s content creation branch. His decision to leave came after what sources described as shifts in leadership and creative control within the organization.
Early Life and Background
Brian Rafat Awadis was born on November 19, 1996, in San Diego, California, to immigrant Chaldean Assyrian parents from Tel Keppe, Iraq. His family’s story is one of immigration and entrepreneurship. His father, Ron Awadis (known as Papa Rug), owns two stores in San Diego.
Brian grew up in a household that valued hard work and family. His older brother, Brandon Awadis, also became a YouTuber under the name Brawadis. The two brothers created their first YouTube channel together in 2008 called “fathersonchaldean,” though it eventually became inactive.
Brian attended Mira Mesa Senior High School in San Diego. After graduation, he enrolled at San Diego Miramar College. However, he dropped out during his freshman year to pursue YouTube full-time. This decision proved risky but ultimately paid off.
His Chaldean Assyrian heritage plays a role in his content. He can speak some Suret, the traditional language, though he admits he’s not fluent. His parents, particularly his mother Sana Awadis (Mama Rug), became beloved figures in his videos.
How FaZe Rug Built His YouTube Empire
Brian created his personal YouTube channel on July 11, 2012, posting short clips of Call of Duty gameplay. The channel started small, focused entirely on gaming content. His skills caught attention, and in January 2013, he received an invitation to join the esports team FaZe Clan.
The real turning point came in December 2014 when he uploaded his first prank video. The response was immediate and overwhelming. Viewers loved his comedic timing and willingness to push boundaries with elaborate pranks.
His most famous videos include pranks involving giant snakes in his pool, putting Gatorade in a Windex bottle, and staged scenarios with a killer clown breaking into his house. These videos regularly reached millions of views within days of posting.
By October 9, 2015, he officially reached 1 million subscribers. The growth accelerated from there. He hit 3 million subscribers by August 2016, 5 million by April 2017, and crossed 10 million by September 2018.
FaZe Rug reached 1 billion video views on YouTube by July 1, 2017. He doubled that number to 2 billion views just over a year later in October 2018. As of 2026, his channel has surpassed 5 billion total views.
The Family Content Strategy
One of FaZe Rug’s smartest moves was incorporating his family into his content. Mama Rug and Papa Rug became recurring characters in his videos, often serving as the unsuspecting targets of his pranks.
Their genuine reactions and chemistry created a family brand that resonated with viewers. People didn’t just subscribe for pranks. They subscribed to watch a family interact, laugh, and occasionally argue on camera.
Brandon (Brawadis) also appeared regularly in videos. The sibling dynamic added another layer of entertainment. Their collaborations brought both channels mutual benefits and cross-promotion.
This family-focused approach differentiated FaZe Rug from other prank channels. While competitors relied on shock value alone, he built a community that felt invested in the Awadis family’s daily lives. His vlogs showed behind-the-scenes moments, family dinners, and holiday celebrations.
The strategy paid off. According to his Wikipedia page, he became the most subscribed gamer within FaZe Clan. His consistent upload schedule, often posting daily, kept viewers engaged and returning for more.
Business Ventures Beyond YouTube
FaZe Rug expanded beyond YouTube into multiple business ventures. In 2024, he launched 1UP Candy, a candy company that capitalized on his massive young audience. The brand reflects his personal interests and connects directly with his fanbase.
His merchandise line has been another significant revenue source. T-shirts, hoodies, and accessories featuring his branding sell through his website and at fan events.
In 2020, FaZe Rug and his family purchased a mansion valued at approximately $4 million. The house features a movie theater, bar, and giant swimming pool. The property itself became content, with house tours and pool challenge videos generating millions of views.
He also ventured into music. In November 2019, he released a song called “Goin’ Live” with an accompanying music video in January 2020. While music wasn’t his primary focus, it demonstrated his willingness to experiment with different content formats.
He appeared as a featured guest on season 17, episode 7 of MTV’s “Ridiculousness” on June 24, 2020. This mainstream media appearance helped introduce him to audiences beyond YouTube.
FaZe Rug also explored film. He starred in “Crimson,” a horror movie released in 2020. The film catered to his fanbase and showed another dimension of his entertainment capabilities.
Real estate investments rounded out his business portfolio. Beyond his personal mansion, he’s made strategic property purchases in the San Diego area.
You can follow his current ventures on his Instagram, where he shares updates with over 10 million followers.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Estimates of FaZe Rug’s net worth vary widely. Some sources place it around $4 million, while others suggest it could be as high as $35 million. The discrepancy comes from the difficulty in calculating exact earnings from multiple revenue streams.
His primary income source is YouTube AdSense. With billions of views and millions of subscribers, his channel generates substantial advertising revenue. YouTube’s monetization structure means his daily uploads compound earnings over time.
Sponsorships and brand deals add significant income. Companies pay premium rates to reach his young, engaged audience. Product placements in videos and dedicated sponsorship segments bring in six or seven figures annually.
Merchandise sales contribute steady revenue. His loyal fanbase regularly purchases branded items, creating a reliable income stream separate from ad revenue.
1UP Candy represents entrepreneurial income. While exact sales figures aren’t public, launching a product company demonstrates his business acumen beyond content creation.
FaZe Clan’s equity was another valuable asset during his 13-year tenure. As a co-owner, he benefited financially from the organization’s success, brand deals, and partnerships.
Real estate appreciation in San Diego’s hot market likely increased the value of his properties. His $4 million mansion and other investments represent both lifestyle choices and wealth preservation strategies.
What’s Next for FaZe Rug?
After leaving FaZe Clan, FaZe Rug faces both opportunities and challenges. His announcement emphasized gratitude but also hinted at a “new chapter” beginning. The question is what that chapter looks like.
He has complete creative freedom now. Without organizational obligations, he can experiment with content formats, collaboration partners, and business ventures that interest him personally.
His subscriber base remains loyal. The 28.7 million people who subscribed did so for his personality and content, not necessarily the FaZe Clan association. This gives him a strong foundation to build from.
Potential directions include launching his own content creator collective. Several former FaZe members left around the same time, suggesting possible collaboration opportunities. A new organization built on creator-friendly terms could attract talent frustrated with traditional esports organizations.
Expanding 1UP Candy makes business sense. The company is still new and has room to grow. With his full attention, he could scale the brand significantly.
More mainstream media appearances are likely. His MTV stint proved he can succeed outside YouTube. Traditional television, streaming platforms, or film projects could be the next steps.
Music remains an unexplored avenue. While “Goin’ Live” was his only major release, he could pursue music more seriously if interested.
The biggest advantage he has is flexibility. At 29 years old with substantial wealth and a massive audience, he can take risks without jeopardizing his financial security. He’s spent over half his life building his brand and understands what resonates with viewers.
The departure from FaZe Clan, while significant, may ultimately prove beneficial. Organizations can constrain creators. Going independent allows him to keep 100% of earnings and make decisions based solely on what he believes is best.
His next moves will determine whether leaving FaZe Clan was the right decision. If he maintains consistency, continues evolving his content, and stays connected to his audience, there’s no reason his post-FaZe career can’t surpass his previous success.
FaZe Rug built something remarkable over 13 years. Now he gets to build something new entirely on his own terms.
