‘I’m Not Here for Influencers, Africa Tour Is About Real Culture and Talent’ – IShowSpeed
American online streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as iShowSpeed, has addressed criticism over claims that he ignored Nigerian content creators during his ongoing Africa tour, insisting that the trip is focused on culture and everyday people, not influencer collaborations. The clarification came after reactions trailed his Wednesday livestream of his first full day in Lagos, which drew massive crowds, unfiltered street interactions and viral moments that quickly spread across social media within and outside Africa. The controversy started after some Nigerian content creators accused Speed of deliberately avoiding collaboration requests during his Lagos visit. Fans repeatedly urged him to meet Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, a Nigerian streamer active on TikTok and Kick. Peller made several attempts to get Speed’s attention, including trying to climb onto his vehicle and later riding a horse through traffic to approach him. In a widely circulated clip, he was heard saying, “Please, I’m a streamer. I’m big. Please let’s do something. I have suffered because of you,” but Speed did not respond and continued with his scheduled activities. The repeated attempts and Speed’s silence sparked heated online discussions, with fans and creators questioning why one of the world’s biggest streamers would tour Africa without linking up with well-known local personalities. Reacting to the backlash, Speed explained that the purpose of his Speed Does Africa tour had been 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 added that many of those expressing dissatisfaction already have established audiences, noting that “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.” Speed also clarified that his movements throughout the tour are tightly planned by his team. “Every day on this tour is scheduled — the locations, the time, everything,” he said, stressing that adding last-minute meetups or collaborations is not possible. He further explained that “cutting short cultural visits or cancelling plans made by local communities would be disrespectful,” insisting that the tour must follow its original structure. According to him, similar reactions occurred earlier during his visit to South Africa, where some creators also felt sidelined, but he remained focused on the central aim of the tour. “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 is scheduled to run for 28 days across 20 countries. He is expected to visit Benin Republic next as the tour continues.