American streamer and YouTuber IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., is nearing the end of a transformative 28-day tour across Africa. The journey, which aims to highlight the continent’s rich cultural diversity often overshadowed by negative stereotypes, has taken him through 19 countries from southern to northern Africa.
During a recent stop in Botswana, Watkins expressed his awe at the experiences he has had. “I’ve done so many incredible things in my life,” he stated. “But this trip is different. It opened my eyes. Africa is not what I thought.” The tour commenced in late December in Angola and has included notable events such as attending the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco on January 18.
Watkins celebrated with fans in Senegal following the national soccer team’s victory and marked a personal milestone in Nigeria, where he surpassed 50 million YouTube subscribers just before his 21st birthday. His recent activities in Ghana included sampling local cuisine, specifically jollof rice, meeting a traditional ruler, and enjoying a traditional massage at a shea butter museum. “I am back home, there ain’t no better feeling,” Watkins said, highlighting his ancestral ties to the West African nation.
Speed Does Africa is the title of his series, which features live streams on YouTube. These broadcasts, lasting up to nine hours, showcase local dishes, traditional dances, and athletic challenges. Large crowds of enthusiastic followers often gather to greet him at various locations, reflecting his significant online influence. Since the tour’s inception, many African American internet users have rallied around him, sharing videos that document his journey.
Pape Seye, a resident of Dakar, Senegal, emphasized the importance of Watkins’ visit to the House of Slaves on Gorée Island, a poignant symbol of the Atlantic slave trade. “Americans, especially Black Americans, need to know that our histories are tied, that many of our ancestors might have been deported from Gorée,” he remarked, underscoring the deep connections between African and African American histories.
Despite the positive reception, some critics have expressed skepticism regarding Watkins’ persona. Nelly Mbaa, a Beninese influencer known as Afro Chronik, argues that his exaggerated style promotes a Western expectation for young Black men to be valued for spectacle rather than substance. She pointed out that Watkins’ appeal lies not in subtlety but in an “absurd, exaggerated and grotesque character” that could alienate a more thoughtful audience.
Watkins has built a substantial online presence, boasting over 50 million YouTube subscribers, 45 million Instagram followers, and 47 million TikTok followers. His reputation for loud, animated reactions has driven his popularity, but it has also led to controversy. In 2022, he faced a ban from professional online gaming competitions due to a sexist comment aimed at a female player, and he was briefly suspended from YouTube for inappropriate content during a gaming session.
As his tour approaches its conclusion, Watkins is expected to arrive in Namibia soon, marking what is likely the final leg of his journey. This tour not only aims to entertain but also seeks to foster understanding and appreciation of Africa’s cultural richness, challenging prevalent stereotypes in the process.
