If you follow the Pioneer Podcast then you might have noticed that we did an interview with a certain General Butt Naked. What you might not know though is who he is?
Well General Butt Naked, or rather Joshua Milton Blahyi, was a Liberian warlord who later became an evangelical preacher. And while he is controversial, he is also not exactly a shrinking violet! This is what led to YPT legend Will Martin scoring an interview with him!
So, WTF?
Table of Contents
The beginning of General Butt Naked
Joshua Milton Blahyi was born in Monrovia, Liberia in 1971. He grew up in a country already unstable and prone to violence, with frequent political tension and social unrest. From a young age he was exposed to ritualistic practices and secret societies that were part of the culture around him. These practices included beliefs in spiritual protection and rites that many locals considered essential for survival. As a teenager, Blahyi became involved in street fights and local disputes, showing both fearlessness and leadership that set him apart from his peers.
By the time Liberia descended into civil war, Blahyi had already developed a reputation for boldness and intimidation. He learned to combine superstition with strategy, using ritual and fear to control others. His early years prepared him for rapid ascent once the conflict began, making him ready to take command and exploit the chaos that engulfed the country. Even before officially becoming a warlord, he had begun to establish himself as someone to be reckoned with.
Becoming General Butt Naked
When the First Liberian Civil War began in 1989, Joshua Milton Blahyi rose quickly through the ranks of the various militias. He adopted the name General Butt Naked, claiming that fighting in the nude would make him invincible and terrify his enemies. His fighters were mostly young boys and teenagers, who followed him into combat with loyalty born of fear and superstition. His tactics were extreme and his methods brutal, making him one of the most feared figures in Liberia during the war.
Blahyi and his Naked Base Commandos carried out acts of violence that shocked even other militias, including murder, looting, and ritualistic killings. He became infamous for his audacity, moving quickly across territories, forming alliances with other commanders, and outmaneuvering rivals. Despite the chaos, he had a calculated approach to leadership, knowing when to strike and when to retreat. His combination of brutality, strategy, and charisma allowed him to maintain control over large areas and secure a lasting reputation. The era of General Butt Naked left a mark on Liberia that remains infamous and unforgettable to this day.
Blahyi’s public contrition satisfied a deep need, a reporter said. “It was only Joshua who said, ‘I am sorry, please forgive me.’ ”Photograph by Dominic Nahr for The New Yorker
To now
After the civil war, Blahyi became an evangelical preacher and abandoned his former lifestyle. He has focused on helping former child soldiers reintegrate into society and has traveled across Liberia to share his experiences and stories from the war. His work now includes community outreach, religious teachings, and humanitarian projects, often speaking publicly about his life as a warlord and the challenges of Liberia’s history. Blahyi continues to be a controversial figure, but he is a visible presence in the country’s post-war narrative, maintaining his public profile through interviews, documentaries, and speaking engagements.
And the interview?
While scoring interviews with such people might seem hard, in actuality it usually just needs a little bit of perseverance. This has served us well in the past, such as when we met the nephew of Pol Pot among others.
With Mr Butt Naked it was fairly similar, although again it took quite a while of persuasion from Will Martin to get it over the line. And before anyone even thinks it, that we interview does not mean we support him.
Click to check our General Butt Naked Podcast.
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