American streamer and YouTuber IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., is currently concluding a significant 28-day tour across Africa. The journey aims to highlight the continent’s cultural diversity, often overlooked in mainstream narratives that focus on poverty and conflict.
Watkins embarked on this extensive journey in late December, starting in Angola and traversing through 19 countries in southern, eastern, and northern Africa. During a recent stop in Botswana, he expressed how transformative the trip has been, stating, “I’ve done so many incredible things in my life. But this trip is different. It opened my eyes. Africa is not what I thought.”
The tour included notable events such as attending the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco on January 18. In Senegal, he celebrated with fans after the national team’s victory, and in Nigeria, he marked his 21st birthday while surpassing 50 million YouTube subscribers. His recent visit to Ghana involved sampling local delicacies such as jollof rice, meeting a traditional ruler, and enjoying a massage at a shea butter museum. Upon arrival in Ghana, Watkins remarked, “I am back home, there ain’t no better feeling,” citing his ancestry tracing back to the West African nation.
As part of his “Speed Does Africa” series, Watkins streamed live content on YouTube, engaging viewers for up to nine hours at a time. His activities included tasting local foods, learning traditional dances, and challenging local athletes, often with high energy and enthusiasm. His presence attracted large crowds of followers at various locations.
Watkins’ journey has resonated with many, particularly among African American communities. Pape Seye, a 40-year-old resident of Dakar, praised his visit to the House of Slaves on Gorée Island, which serves as a poignant reminder of the Atlantic slave trade. Seye stated, “Americans, especially Black Americans, need to know that our histories are tied, that many of our ancestors might have been deported from Gorée.”
Despite the positive responses, some critics have voiced concerns about the portrayal of young Black men in the media. Nelly Mbaa, a Beninese influencer known as Afro Chronik, criticized Watkins for representing an expectation that prioritizes spectacle over intellect. She argued that his popularity stems from a persona characterized by exaggerated behavior and controversial remarks, suggesting that a shift away from this image could lead to a decline in his audience.
With over 50 million YouTube subscribers, 45 million Instagram followers, and 47 million TikTok followers, IShowSpeed has built a brand around vibrant and often polarizing content. His online persona has sparked both engagement and controversy, including a ban from professional online gaming competitions in 2022 following a sexist outburst and a brief suspension from YouTube for inappropriate content during a gaming session.
As his tour approaches its conclusion, Watkins is expected to arrive in Namibia next, marking the final stop on a journey that has left a significant impact on both him and his audience.
