January 23, (THEWILL) — American online streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as iShowSpeed, has responded to criticism surrounding his ongoing Africa tour, insisting the project is focused on highlighting African culture and everyday life rather than meeting or collaborating with other online creators.
His response came after his first full day live-streamed in Lagos, Nigeria, went viral, drawing massive crowds and widespread attention on social media.
While many viewers praised the raw, unscripted moments from the streets, others questioned why he appeared to avoid meeting popular Nigerian creators.
Several Nigerian influencers publicly expressed frustration that their requests for collaborations were ignored.
One widely shared moment involved TikTok streamer Peller, who attempted to get Speed’s attention and even chased his vehicle on horseback, but ultimately did not secure a meeting.
Responding to the backlash, Speed said many people had misunderstood the tour’s purpose.
He explained that the“Speed Does Africa” tour is designed to showcase African culture, street performers, and local talent that often goes unseen on global platforms, adding that rearranging his tightly scheduled plans for influencer meet-ups would disrupt cultural and community engagements.
“This tour is not about collaborations with influencers or streamers,” Speed said.
“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.
“Every day on this tour is scheduled, the locations, the time, everything. Cutting short cultural visits or cancelling plans made by local communities would be disrespectful.
“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.”
The 28-day Speed Does Africa tour, which began on December 29, 2025, is streamed live daily on his Twitch and YouTube channels.
It spans 20 African countries, with stops in Angola, South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, and others.
The tour has attracted huge crowds and gone viral across the continent, showcasing Africa’s diverse cultures and experiences..
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
