IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., is a 21-year-old American streamer and YouTuber with 50 million followers on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. He has established himself as a central figure in web culture among the under-25s, thanks in particular to his highly expressive, sometimes controversial style, which attracts a massive and highly engaged audience.
Since December 29, 2025, IShowSpeed has been traveling across Africa as part of a tour called "Speed Does Africa." The stated goal is simple: to show Africa "as it is" to its global audience. In concrete terms, this involves daily live broadcasts lasting several hours, filmed live on the street, combining encounters with fans, cultural discoveries, visits to iconic locations, and completely improvised moments. The result is a veritable digital soap opera followed in real time by millions of viewers.
The tour began in Angola, before crossing southern Africa, the Great Lakes region, the Horn of Africa, Nigeria, and the Maghreb. It then continued in West Africa, notably in Senegal, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Liberia.
At each stage, his videos reach several million views in just a few hours. His live streams regularly exceed one million cumulative viewers, and some viral clips total between 5 and 20 million views across all platforms. The streets, squares, and neighborhoods he passes through instantly become scenes visible around the world.
In Senegal, the images follow a now familiar pattern: arrival surrounded by a dense crowd, wandering through the streets, interacting with young fans, showcasing urban landscapes and the coastline. Local culture is omnipresent: music, dance, street food, spontaneous encounters with Senegalese content creators.
In Benin, the welcome is spectacular right from Cotonou airport. Every appearance triggers shouts, raised phones, and impromptu live performances. His journey to the city becomes an episode in itself. Spontaneous reactions, exchanges with young people, and the energy of the crowd fuel videos that quickly reach millions of views.
Unlike other stages, the Beninese visit is more structured. Local authorities and media have clearly understood the importance of this international exhibition, particularly for young audiences who mainly consume digital content. The official VisitBenin account is sharing several clips, notably from Place de l'Amazone in Cotonou. IShowSpeed's appearance at Vodun Days 2026 is also highlighted, offering unprecedented visibility for Vodun culture to a global audience.
Even the Beninese government praised the event on social media.