American streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., popularly known as iShowSpeed, has responded to criticism over claims that he snubbed Nigerian content creators during his ongoing Africa tour, insisting that the trip is focused on African culture and everyday people, not influencer meetups.
The controversy followed his Wednesday livestream of his first full day in Lagos, which drew large crowds, spontaneous street interactions, and viral moments that quickly spread across social media in Nigeria and beyond.
Some Nigerian creators accused Speed of ignoring collaboration requests during his visit, with fans repeatedly urging him to meet Habeeb Hamzat, also known as Peller, a popular Nigerian streamer 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. In a widely shared clip, he could be 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 debate online, with many questioning why one of the world’s biggest streamers would tour Africa without engaging well-known local creators.
Addressing the backlash, 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. “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 disappointment 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 explained that his movements are strictly scheduled by his team. “Every day on this tour is planned — the locations, the time, everything,” he said, stressing that last-minute meetups or collaborations are not possible. “Cutting short cultural visits or cancelling plans made by local communities would be disrespectful,” he added.
The streamer noted that similar reactions occurred during his earlier stop in South Africa, where some creators felt overlooked. However, he emphasized that his focus remains on the central mission 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 Speed Does Africa tour began on December 29, 2025, and is set to run for 28 days across 20 countries, with Benin Republic being his next stop.