If you’ve spent any time on TikTok over the last few years, you’ve probably seen a young guy in a captain’s hat screaming about "banned" accounts or chugging a tallboy on the LIRR. That's Joshua Block. Most people know him as the creator behind World of Shirts, a brand that started out with wholesome dances and coffee reviews but has morphed into something much darker and harder to watch.
The "King of New York" title he claims for himself feels more like a heavy crown these days. Honestly, the shift from a quirky kid exploring the city to a guy documented in a 24/7 "drink tracker" cycle is one of the most unsettling things on the internet right now.
Who exactly is Joshua Block?
Before he was a living meme, Josh was just a kid from Long Island. He graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School back in 2021. Back then, he was actually an honor student. He ran track and cross country. He even took business classes to help launch his brand, World of Shirts. People forget that he’s on the autism spectrum, and he dealt with the devastating loss of his mother in 2015.
Initially, his content was actually... pretty sweet. He’d take the train into Manhattan, visit the Oculus, grab a boba tea, and film himself singing. He was essentially a solo tourist who found a massive audience that loved his unbridled enthusiasm for NYC.
Then, things changed.
The transition from coffee to cocktails
It wasn't a sudden flip of a switch. It was a slow, agonizing slide. Around late 2022 and early 2023, the coffee cups started being replaced by alcoholic seltzers. Then came the hard liquor. Josh started "touring" the world, hitting up Iceland, Paris, and London, but instead of seeing the sights, he was mostly seeing the bottom of a glass.
Fans noticed. Critics noticed. And the "trolls" definitely noticed.
What most people get wrong about World of Shirts
A lot of people think Joshua Block is just some rich kid blowing an inheritance. That’s not really the whole story. While he likely had some money left to him, his lifestyle is largely funded by a strange mix of:
- TikTok Creator Rewards: Those millions of views actually pay out.
- NYC Tours: He charges fans (and occasionally curious onlookers) roughly $50 a head to follow him around the East Village while he drinks.
- Merch: He still sells those "World of Shirts" hoodies and hats.
- Cameo: He’s one of the most prolific creators on the platform, filming birthday shouts for cash.
People assume he's "living the dream" traveling the world. But if you look closely at the footage, he's often shaking. The tremors are a frequent sight in his videos when he isn't holding a drink. It’s physical dependency, plain and simple.
The role of "Management" and Mr. Based
You can't talk about World of Shirts without mentioning the people around him. Lately, a creator known as Mr. Based (Jason Itzler) has become a permanent fixture in Josh’s orbit. Depending on who you ask, he's either a mentor or a massive exploiter.
The dynamic is uncomfortable. We see Josh getting "crashed out"—a term the internet uses for his public meltdowns—while cameras are shoved in his face for live-stream donations. It’s a voyeuristic nightmare. In July 2025, Josh was reportedly arrested during a chaotic July 4th celebration, adding another entry to a growing list of legal run-ins that include a citizens arrest in Japan and various removals from public transit.
The "Put the Fries in the Bag" Era
Memes move fast. One of the biggest phrases associated with him recently is "put the fries in the bag." It came from a clip where Josh was being particularly rude to a service worker. The internet turned it into a joke, but it highlights a deeper issue: the loss of the "wholesome" Josh.
The ego has grown alongside the addiction. He frequently yells at people about how much money he makes or threatens to sue them for "harassment" while he’s filming in public. It’s a defense mechanism that has become his entire personality.
Why does this keep happening?
The algorithm loves chaos. When Josh posts a video of himself puking on a subway platform, it gets ten times the engagement of a video where he’s just looking at the Empire State Building. We are, in a way, part of the problem.
The "drink trackers"—accounts that literally count every standard drink he consumes in a day—claim they are raising awareness. Others say they are just gamifying a man's slow decline. It's a weird, parasocial relationship where thousands of people feel like they know him, but nobody is actually stepping in to stop the train wreck.
What's actually happening in 2026?
As of early 2026, the situation remains volatile. Josh is still doing his NYC tours, though they are increasingly unpredictable. His health is the primary concern for his long-term followers. You can see the physical toll in his face—the redness, the bloating, and the lack of focus in his eyes.
He recently made headlines for a trip to Dubai, a city with notoriously strict laws regarding public intoxication and behavior. Fans were genuinely terrified he wouldn't make it back. He did, but the cycle just reset once he landed back at JFK.
Moving forward: How to engage with World of Shirts
If you’re following the Joshua Block saga, it’s easy to get caught up in the memes. But it’s worth remembering there’s a real person behind the captain's hat.
- Don't touch the glass: Avoid "interacting" with him in person just to get a reaction for a video. This only fuels the "crash out" cycle.
- Support actual help: If you really care about the guy, look for ways to support organizations that help with adult autism and addiction rather than sending him money for more drinks on a live stream.
- Think before you share: Every time a video of him in a vulnerable state goes viral, it incentivizes the people around him to keep the camera rolling.
The story of World of Shirts isn't over, but it’s definitely at a turning point. Whether he finds a way to get healthy or continues this path is something the internet is watching in real-time. It’s a cautionary tale about fame, exploitation, and the dark side of the creator economy.
Check the local NYC subreddits or dedicated tracking communities if you want the most up-to-date locations of his "tours," but keep in mind that being a spectator to someone's struggle has its own moral weight.
Practical Next Step: If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or mental health issues, you can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential, 24/7 information and treatment referral.