American streamer and YouTuber IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., is currently concluding a remarkable 28-day tour across Africa. This journey aims to highlight the continent’s rich cultural diversity, often overlooked in favor of negative portrayals. The tour, which began in Angola in late December, has taken him through 19 countries in southern, eastern, and northern Africa.
During a recent stop in Botswana, Watkins expressed his transformative experience. “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.” His itinerary included attendance at the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco on January 18, celebrations with fans in Senegal following the national soccer team’s victory, and a milestone birthday in Nigeria, where he gained his 50 millionth YouTube subscriber.
While visiting Ghana on Monday, Watkins embraced the local culture by sampling traditional dishes like jollof rice, meeting with a traditional ruler, and experiencing a massage at the shea butter museum. “I am back home, there ain’t no better feeling,” he remarked, noting his ancestral ties to the West African nation. He is expected to arrive in Namibia, the likely final stop of his tour, on Tuesday.
Connecting Cultures and Generations
Throughout the tour, Watkins has streamed live sessions on YouTube, sharing experiences that include local cuisine, traditional dances, and athletic challenges. His videos, which can last up to nine hours, have attracted large crowds of followers at various destinations. The interaction has sparked a wave of support from many African American internet users, as they resonate with his journey across the continent.
Pape Seye, a resident of Dakar, Senegal, emphasized the importance of Watkins’ visit to the House of Slaves on Gorée Island. This historic site serves as a poignant reminder of the Atlantic slave trade, which displaced millions of Africans. Seye remarked, “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 reception, some critics have expressed skepticism regarding Watkins’ portrayal of African culture. Nelly Mbaa, a Beninese influencer known as Afro Chronik, criticized the expectation that young Black men should be valued for their entertainment rather than their intellect. She noted that Watkins’ audience is drawn to his loud and exaggerated persona rather than nuanced humor, suggesting that abandoning this character could lead to a decline in viewership.
Building a Global Brand
Watkins has built a substantial online presence, boasting over 50 million YouTube subscribers, 45 million Instagram followers, and 47 million TikTok followers. His brand is characterized by high-energy reactions that have generated both excitement and controversy. In 2022, he faced a ban from professional gaming after a sexist outburst and was briefly suspended from YouTube for inappropriate content.
As IShowSpeed wraps up his African tour, he leaves behind a complex legacy that intertwines celebration with criticism. His experiences not only reflect his personal growth but also spark important conversations about cultural representation and the ties that bind global communities.
