American online streamer Darren Watkins Jr., popularly known as IShowSpeed, has addressed criticisms that he was disrespectful to Nigerian content creators during his ongoing Africa tour, saying the trip is not centred on influencer collaborations.
The clarification followed reactions to the livestream of his first full day in Lagos on Wednesday, which drew large crowds, street encounters and several viral moments that dominated online conversations.
The backlash began after some Nigerian content creators accused the streamer of ignoring requests for collaboration during his visit. Fans repeatedly urged Speed to meet Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, a Nigerian streamer on TikTok and Kick.
Peller made several attempts to approach Speed, including trying to climb his vehicle and later riding a horse through traffic to get his attention. In one widely shared 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 his activities.
The situation triggered widespread debate online, with fans and creators questioning why one of the world’s biggest streamers would tour Africa without linking up with popular local personalities.
As reported by The Times of India, Speed said the purpose of his Speed Does Africa tour was being misunderstood. He said, “This tour is not about collaborations with influencers or streamers,” adding that “the goal is to show African culture, the people on the streets, and the talent that doesn’t usually get seen.”
He explained that many of the creators 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 daily movements are strictly planned by his team. He said, “Every day on this tour is scheduled — the locations, the time, everything,” stressing that it is not possible to add last minute meetups or collaborations.
He added that cutting short cultural visits or cancelling plans made by local communities would be disrespectful, insisting that the tour must follow its original structure.
The streamer noted that similar reactions occurred earlier during his visit to South Africa but said he remained focused on the central message of the tour. He said, “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.”
Speed Does Africa began on December 29, 2025, and is scheduled to last 28 days across 20 countries. The YouTube and Kick streamer, known for his high energy livestreams and global fan base, is expected to visit Benin Republic next as part of the tour.
