American online streamer IShowSpeed, born Darren Watkins Jr., has addressed criticisms that he was disrespectful to Nigerian content creators during his ongoing African tour, clarifying that the trip was never designed around influencer collaborations.
The clarification followed widespread reactions to the livestream from his first full day in Lagos on Wednesday, which featured massive crowds, tense street encounters, and several viral moments that dominated online conversations.
The backlash began after some Nigerian content creators accused Speed of ignoring requests for collaborations during his visit. Fans repeatedly urged the streamer to meet Peller, a popular Nigerian streamer on TikTok and Kick.
Peller made several attempts to get Speed’s attention, including trying to approach his vehicle and later riding a horse through traffic. 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,” while Speed continued with his scheduled activities.
The incident sparked intense debate online, with fans and creators questioning why one of the world’s biggest streamers would tour Africa without publicly linking up with well-known local influencers.
Responding to the controversy in comments reported by The Times of India, Speed said the purpose of his Speed Does Africa tour was being misunderstood.
“This tour is not about collaborations with influencers or streamers,” he said, explaining that the goal is to showcase African culture, everyday people, and talent that often goes unseen globally.
He added that many of the creators expressing dissatisfaction already have established audiences. According to him, “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 strictly pre-planned by his team.
“Every day on this tour is scheduled — the locations, the time, everything,” he said, stressing that impromptu meetups or last-minute collaborations are not feasible. He maintained that cancelling cultural visits or engagements organised by local communities would be disrespectful.
The streamer noted that similar reactions occurred earlier during his visit to South Africa but said he remains focused on the central message 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.
Speed Does Africa began on December 29, 2025, and is scheduled to last 28 days across 20 African countries. Following his stop in Nigeria, the YouTube and Kick streamer is expected to visit Benin Republic next as the tour continues.
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