Controversial Nigerian singer Speed Darlington has claimed that his 23 years living in the United States yielded little more than criminal records, saying his real success came only after returning to Nigeria.
The rapper made the disclosure in a recent video cited by CREEBHILLS, as a aaa where he compared his experiences in the U.S. with his achievements back home. According to Darlington, he left America with nothing financially and built his mansion in Nigeria solely from earnings made locally.
“America did not favor me,” he said. “I have access to the USA, but I don’t want to be there all the time. The only thing I have is criminal records — arrest, arrest, arrest. That’s all I got from the USA.”
Darlington explained that after spending over two decades in the U.S., he decided it was better to maintain access to the country rather than live there permanently. He said American society negatively affected his mental health and self-confidence, particularly as a Black man.
“In America, my self-confidence is in the gutter,” he said. “I can’t even talk to girls. I’m always worried about my accent — will she laugh at me? Am I adequate? A Black man has to overprove himself before he gets respect. That’s not how I want to live.”
He added that prolonged stays in the U.S. left him feeling isolated and lonely, while Nigeria gave him a sense of belonging and purpose.
According to the singer, his financial breakthrough happened in Nigeria, not abroad. He revealed that his mansion, complete with a swimming pool, was built with money earned locally, including proceeds from his widely publicised clash with fellow artiste Portable.
“That fight with Portable was how I finished my mansion decking,” he said. “That fight didn’t happen in Las Vegas; it happened in Lagos, Nigeria.”
Speed Darlington concluded by stating that he prefers the freedom and sense of identity he enjoys in Nigeria, even if the country has its challenges.
“It is better to be in a forest climbing trees and be free than to be in the center of everything and be caged,” he said, adding that he did not leave America with money.
The comments have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many debating his views on life in the U.S. versus Nigeria.
