iShowSpeed Africa tour clarification: streamer addresses backlash in Nigeria, saying tour highlights street culture and everyday talent, not collaborations
American online streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known as iShowSpeed, has addressed criticisms from Nigerian content creators who accused him of ignoring local influencers during his ongoing Africa tour.
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The backlash followed a livestream of his first full day in Lagos, which showcased massive crowds, raw street encounters, and several viral moments that quickly circulated online across Africa and beyond.
Some Nigerian creators, including TikTok and Kick streamer Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, expressed disappointment after multiple attempts to meet Speed went unacknowledged.
In one viral clip, Peller pleaded, “Please, I’m a streamer. I’m big. Please let’s do something. I have suffered because of you,” while Speed continued his activities without responding.
Addressing the criticism, iShowSpeed clarified that the purpose of his “Speed Does Africa” tour was being misunderstood.
“This tour is not about collaborations with influencers or streamers,” he said. “The goal is to show African culture, the people on the streets, and the talent that doesn’t usually get seen.”
He noted that many of the creators expressing dissatisfaction already have established platforms.
“A lot of the people complaining already have audiences, while this tour is meant to give exposure to people who normally don’t get it,” he explained.
Speed emphasised that his daily schedule is strictly managed by his team. “Every day on this tour is scheduled — the locations, the time, everything,” he said. “Cutting short cultural visits or cancelling plans made by local communities would be disrespectful.”
He also recalled similar reactions during his visit to South Africa, where some local creators felt ignored, but stressed that he remains focused on the tour’s central mission.
“This trip is about the real Africa — the street performers, the local artists, and the communities with real talent that don’t usually get global attention,” he said.
iShowSpeed’s Africa tour, titled Speed Does Africa, began on December 29, 2025, and will span 28 days across 20 countries.
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He is scheduled to visit Benin Republic next as part of the tour, which aims to celebrate everyday African culture and local talent beyond mainstream media attention.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
