In January 2026, the American YouTuber, Darren Watkins Jr. popularly known as iShowSpeed hit a major milestone: 50 million YouTube subscribers. This came during his 21st birthday livestream in Lagos, Nigeria, part of his sprawling Speed Does Africa tour. The tour has already generated millions of views, with peaks exceeding 100,000 concurrent viewers. With 64.1 million hours watched, he is also the biggest streamer in gaming on YouTube. 

Here are all the major highlights from iShowSpeed’s Speed Does African tour:

The Big Announcement

Speed kicked off a 28-day, 20-country African tour to celebrate his 21st birthday. The tour aimed to show the world a different side of Africa, highlighting its culture, relationships, and unique traditions. He also wanted to showcase the continent’s diverse food and experiences. Ultimately, his goal was to let the world see Africa as a place they could visit and explore.

Angola Sets the Tone

Speed kicked off the tour in Angola, where he was met with beachside crowds swarming him. Fans followed him through public spaces, turning casual moments into full-blown street events. 

One standout moment came when a fan recreated his viral “my mom’s kinda homeless” meme right in front of him. The whole stop felt less like a visit and more like a live festival built around his presence.

Fans in Tears Across East Africa

Across East Africa, IShowSpeed’s Speed Does Africa tour sparked deeply emotional reactions, with pre-teens in Rwanda breaking into tears and hugging the streamer they had only known online when they finally met him in person. 

In Ethiopia, similar scenes unfolded as crowds chanted his name and celebrated his arrival, often bringing viewers and locals to tears through livestream highlights. 

“I Want to Show the World What Africa Really Is”

During his stop in South Africa, Speed explained that the purpose of the tour was to show the world the real Africa—its culture, food, and vibrant communities—while giving fans a chance to meet him in person. 

He emphasised that he wanted to break stereotypes and let people, especially those outside the continent, see Africa as a place full of life and connection. The South Africa leg also gave him a platform to interact with fans directly, sharing laughs, stories, and memorable moments. 

Not Everyone’s Convinced

Some Africans have described the trip as a “fleeting spectacle,” seeing it more as a flashy, short-term event rather than a deeper cultural exchange. They argue that while the tour brings excitement and attention, it may not fully capture or engage with the lasting complexities of African life and communities. 

Critics suggest that the focus on viral moments and fan interactions can overshadow meaningful storytelling about the continent. Still, for many fans, the emotional impact of meeting Speed in person remains undeniable.

Zambia’s Wildest Moment

In Zambia, Speed experienced one of the tour’s wildest moments when he dove into the famous Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls, an adrenaline-packed stunt that thrilled fans. Later, he linked up with hip-hop artiste Slapdee, sharing laughs and music while celebrating local culture. 

The combination of daring adventure and high-profile musical collaboration made Zambia a standout stop on his Speed Does Africa tour. Fans captured and shared these moments across social media, amplifying the excitement online.

Pull-Up Challenges and Township Cuts

In Lusaka, Zambia’a capital, Speed fully embraced local life with energetic pull-up challenges on the streets, joining fans and fitness enthusiasts in impromptu workouts. He also got a fresh haircut at a local barbershop, experiencing everyday moments that fans rarely see on livestreams. 

From workouts to barbershop chats, Speed’s interactions in Lusaka blended fun, culture, and connection in a way that made the tour feel more personal and relatable.

A New Name in Eswatini

In Eswatini, Speed earned a new nickname from locals: “Logijimako,” which means “the one who runs.” Fans gave him the name after watching his nonstop energy and rapid pace through streets, events, and fan meet-ups. 

The playful moniker reflects how he’s not just a visitor but someone fully immersed in the local scene.

Markets, Haggling and Traditional Fits

In Addis Ababa’s Merkato, Speed dove into the hustle and bustle of local markets, browsing colourful stalls and haggling like a true insider. He shopped for a traditional shamma, engaging with vendors and learning the art of bargaining firsthand. 

Wearing his new purchase, he blended into the vibrant city life, fully embracing the culture around him. 

Dancing the Eskista

In Ethiopia, Speed joined traditional dancers to learn the fast-paced shoulder moves of the Eskista, a dance known for its rhythmic intensity and cultural significance. He threw himself into the steps, laughing and mimicking the intricate movements while locals cheered him on. 

By dancing alongside skilled performers, Speed not only entertained but also celebrated the heritage and energy of the communities he visited.

During his stop in Nigeria, Speed linked up with major local stars, including Nigerian musician Zlatan, streamer and content creator Shanks Comics, and human android content creator, Jarvis. These meetups were full of energy, music, and spontaneous collaborations that thrilled fans on-site and online. 

From stores and happy birthday songs, the interactions highlighted Speed’s ability to connect across borders and genres. Each celebrity encounter added a layer of excitement to the tour, making it as much about community and creative exchange as it was about Speed himself.

Internet Chaos in Real Life

In Lagos, Speed brought his signature energy to the next level, getting chased around by entertainer and TikTok streamer Peller, in a playful stunt, riding on a horse that had fans laughing. He spoke about his preference of Nigerian jollof rice over Senegalese jollof.

Adding to the spectacle, Speed joined Lagos “strongest man” competition, trying to bend metal and race, showing off his unexpected strength. Each of these moments captured the wild, unfiltered, and contagious energy that defines Speed’s Speed Does Africa tour.