Popular YouTube streamer and content creator iShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., has directly responded to growing criticism that he ignored or disrespected local content creators during the early stages of his highly publicized Africa tour, which kicked off in Nigeria.
The tour, part of Speed’s ongoing global adventures and birthday celebrations, has drawn massive attention for its raw, unfiltered showcase of African countries and communities. However, some online backlash emerged after clips surfaced showing Nigerian creators — including prominent figures — attempting to secure impromptu collaborations or interactions, only to be passed by as Speed and his team moved through crowded areas on a tight schedule.
In a recent statement shared across social media, Speed pushed back against the accusations, emphasizing that the tour’s core purpose extends far beyond influencer networking or joint content.
“The tour is not about collaborations,” Speed explained. “It’s about showcasing African culture — from everyday people and local communities to street performers with raw, unseen talent.”
He detailed how his itinerary is meticulously organized by his team, with every stop being “carefully pre-planned, time-bound, and tightly scheduled.” Specific cultural sites and experiences in each country take priority, leaving limited flexibility for unscheduled meetups.
Speed highlighted a key distinction in his approach: “Many of the critics already have established platforms, while the goal of the tour is to give visibility to people who rarely get seen.” He stressed that he would not disrupt or cancel activities arranged by local hosts and communities simply to accommodate influencers or content creators.
“The mission is to put African culture on the global stage,” he added, “not to center the tour around content creators.”
The response comes amid a broader wave of reactions to the tour, which has been praised by many for challenging stereotypes about Africa — with millions of viewers, particularly in the U.S., expressing surprise at the modernity, vibrancy, and hospitality encountered. Speed has achieved milestones like surpassing 50 million YouTube subscribers during the journey, and his streams have spotlighted genuine interactions with fans and locals.
However, the tour has not been without controversy, including isolated incidents of crowd hostility in some North African stops and debates over whether certain encounters felt “rushed” or overly focused on spectacle.
Speed’s clarification appears aimed at reframing the narrative around his intentions, underscoring a focus on authentic cultural exposure rather than the influencer ecosystem. As the tour continues across the continent, fans and observers alike are watching to see how the remaining stops unfold and whether this stance quiets the critics or fuels further discussion.