Global American online streamer iShowSpeed, widely known for his viral livestreams and high-energy content, has addressed the mounting criticism surrounding his ongoing Africa tour, clarifying that the trip’s purpose is not centered on influencer collaborations but rather on showcasing the rich culture, unique talents, and everyday lives of people across the continent.
The statement comes after Nigerian content creators publicly accused the streamer of ignoring multiple collaboration requests during his visit to Lagos, leading to debates on social media over Speed’s engagement with local influencers and whether such collaborations should have been prioritized.
Viral Lagos Livestream Sparks Debate
Speed’s first full day in Lagos, streamed live on Wednesday, quickly went viral, capturing the attention of viewers with its spontaneous interactions, intense street moments, and authentic depictions of daily life. Clips from the livestream circulated widely across social media platforms in Africa, drawing millions of views and igniting discussions about the tour’s focus and impact.
While many fans lauded the raw and unfiltered experience, a segment of the audience, particularly local content creators, questioned why Speed appeared to avoid meeting or collaborating with prominent Nigerian creators during his Lagos activities. Critics suggested that ignoring established local influencers could hinder cross-cultural content exchange and reduce the tour’s engagement potential within Nigerian social media circles.
Nigerian Creators Accuse Speed of Snubbing Collaborations
The backlash intensified after several Nigerian content creators, including TikTok and Kick personalities, publicly claimed that Speed had repeatedly ignored their requests for collaborative content. Fans pushed specifically for a meetup with Peller, who has built a significant following on both TikTok and Kick and is known for his dynamic content and creative stunts.
Peller’s efforts to gain Speed’s attention quickly went viral. In a series of bold attempts, he first tried climbing onto the streamer’s vehicle and later rode a horse through Lagos traffic in a dramatic attempt to be noticed. Videos of the stunts circulated widely, showing Peller pleading directly: “Please, I’m a streamer. I’m big. Please let’s do something. I have suffered because of you,” while Speed continued his livestream, seemingly unbothered and moving through his scheduled locations.[/p>
These incidents sparked heated debates online, with many questioning whether Speed’s approach to local creators was dismissive or strategic. Some argued that ignoring established influencers could alienate a portion of the fan base, while others felt that Speed’s focus on raw street content was authentic and in line with his tour’s stated goals.
Speed Says Tour Is Not About Influencers
Addressing the criticism directly, Speed clarified that many people had misunderstood the primary objective of the Africa tour. He emphasized that while collaborations are common in influencer culture, his purpose in this tour is to shine a spotlight on African culture, everyday life, and local talent that is rarely seen on global platforms.
‘Complaining Creators Already Have Audiences’
Speed further explained that most of the content creators expressing dissatisfaction already have large, engaged audiences and therefore do not require additional exposure from his tour. According to him, the spotlight should be on those without global recognition who often go unnoticed despite possessing exceptional talent.
Tight Schedule Leaves No Room for Meetups
The streamer also clarified that his tour schedule is meticulously planned and strictly enforced by his team. He noted that cutting cultural visits short or cancelling community engagements to meet individual influencers would be disrespectful to local hosts and participants.
He said: “This tour is not about collaborations with influencers or streamers. The goal is to show African culture, the people on the streets, and the talent that doesn’t usually get seen.”
“A lot of the people complaining already have audiences, while this tour is meant to give exposure to people who normally don’t get it.”
“Every day on this tour is scheduled — the locations, the time, everything. Cutting short cultural visits or cancelling plans made by local communities would be disrespectful. This trip is about the real Africa — the street performers, the local artists, and the communities with real talent that don’t usually get global attention.”
About Speed Does Africa Tour
iShowSpeed’s Africa tour, titled Speed Does Africa, began on December 29, 2025, and is scheduled to last 28 days, covering 20 African countries. The tour’s itinerary includes visits to multiple cities, cultural hubs, and grassroots communities, aiming to capture authentic content from street performers, local musicians, and other talented individuals whose work is rarely showcased on global platforms.
Following Lagos, Speed is expected to continue his tour to Benin Republic, with stops in other West African countries and beyond. Throughout the journey, the streamer has maintained a commitment to live-streaming his experiences, offering fans an unfiltered look at African cities and the talent they harbor, while staying true to the stated purpose of celebrating culture rather than pursuing influencer collaborations.