If Zambia had a guestbook, IShowSpeed whose real name
is Darren Watkins would’ve signed it in all caps and probably added “WOO WOO
WOO and SIUUUUU” as a signature sound effect.
The American YouTube superstar blasted through Zambia
on the 8th and 9th of January during his SPEED DOES AFRICA tour - and the entire
country is still debating, laughing, and analyzing everything he said, did, and
shouted.
His first touchdown was in Livingstone.
Victoria Falls. The Smoke That Thunders. The kind of place that humbles even the loudest - except Speed, who asked a hundred questions a minute while touring with the Minister of Tourism.
Then came the 9th of January - Lusaka’s moment to shine. This is where the legendary line dropped: “Zambia just looks like USA to be honest. Especially this [Lusaka] city.” The comparison was rejected more aggressively than a suspicious WhatsApp link. Social media lit up like it was Black Friday. But even with the backlash, Zambians still gave the young man the warm, signature welcome the country is known for.
Then he entered Matero the renowned “capital city of Lusaka” and the and the Zambian social media users lost control. Speed linked up with heavyweight rapper Slapdee. Their energy on stage looked like two people competing in “Who Can Be Louder Before the Speakers Burst?” Slapdee, real name Mwila Musonda performed “Waumfwa” and “Nomba Ninshi” with so much energy that even his accent opened its own passport and switched nationality mid-performance pronouncing words like what as “whah’” completely silencing the t.
Speed also rolled through Manda Hill, NASDEC, and Shaolin Temple, ticking off Lusaka landmarks like he was speedrunning a video game.
But here is the part that shocked even Speed’s own fanbase: His Zambia tour stream clocked 2 million views in just 24 hours - the fastest record in his entire SADC tour. South Africa tried. Botswana tried. Namibia tried. But Zambia? Zambia said, “Hold my nshima.”
Just To Unlock Your Mind:
Many Zambians expected Speed to collaborate with local content creators such as Ndime Emma and the likes but none of that happened. Not even a “What’s up YouTube it’s ya boy Speed and today I’m with…” moment. As usual, social media didn’t waste time. Some people mocked local creators, claiming Speed just schooled them on how to really create viral content.
But filmmaker David Kazadi stepped in like a grandfather standing up for his grandchildren before their hot-tempered parents: Local creators are talented, he said. What they need is equipment, support, exposure, and investment. Give them that - and you’ll see magic too. In the end, Speed didn’t just visit Zambia. He broke records, triggered debates, inspired memes, shocked Slapdee’s accent, and gave the country a 48-hour blockbuster.
WHO IS ISHOWSPEED?
IShowSpeed (real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr., born January 21, 2005) is a world-famous American YouTuber, online streamer, and musician. As of January 2026, he is recognized as one of the most influential internet personalities globally, known for his high-energy, chaotic, and often unpredictable live streams.
Career and Rise to Fame Early Content: He began his YouTube channel in 2016, initially focusing on gaming content such as NBA 2K and Fortnite. Viral Growth: He exploded in popularity between 2021 and 2022, largely due to clips of his "wild" behavior—such as barking and intense outbursts—going viral on TikTok.
Soccer Influence: Speed is famously known as the ultimate "superfan" of Cristiano Ronaldo. His shift toward football-related content helped him reach a massive international audience.
Global Tours: He has transitioned into "In-Real-Life" (IRL) streaming, touring various continents. As of January 2026, he is on his "Speed Does Africa" tour, visiting countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Rwanda.
Streaming Records: In September 2024, he became the top English-speaking streamer of all time, and his "IRL Stream in Indonesia" set a record with over one million concurrent viewers.
Musical and Media Ventures Music: Speed has a successful rapping career; his 2022 single "World Cup" charted internationally under Warner Records. Other hits include "Shake" and "Ronaldo (Sewey)". WWE Appearances: He has appeared at major events like WrestleMania XL and the 2025 Royal Rumble.
Awards: He won "Streamer of the Year" at the Streamer Awards in both 2024 and 2025.
Personal and Controversies Controversies: His career has been marked by several high-profile incidents, including a long-term ban from Twitch for "sexual coercion" (later unbanned in 2023), permanent bans from Riot Games for sexist remarks, and accidentally exposing himself during a stream in 2023 (the "IShowMeat" incident).
Health: He suffers from chronic cluster headaches, which have led to multiple hospitalizations, including a significant incident in Tokyo in 2023. Net Worth: Late 2025 estimates place his net worth between $10 million and $30 million, driven by ad revenue, merchandise, and lucrative streaming deals.
DISCLAIMER: Some information was relied upon external sources.
Victoria Falls. The Smoke That Thunders. The kind of place that humbles even the loudest - except Speed, who asked a hundred questions a minute while touring with the Minister of Tourism.
Then came the 9th of January - Lusaka’s moment to shine. This is where the legendary line dropped: “Zambia just looks like USA to be honest. Especially this [Lusaka] city.” The comparison was rejected more aggressively than a suspicious WhatsApp link. Social media lit up like it was Black Friday. But even with the backlash, Zambians still gave the young man the warm, signature welcome the country is known for.
Then he entered Matero the renowned “capital city of Lusaka” and the and the Zambian social media users lost control. Speed linked up with heavyweight rapper Slapdee. Their energy on stage looked like two people competing in “Who Can Be Louder Before the Speakers Burst?” Slapdee, real name Mwila Musonda performed “Waumfwa” and “Nomba Ninshi” with so much energy that even his accent opened its own passport and switched nationality mid-performance pronouncing words like what as “whah’” completely silencing the t.
Speed also rolled through Manda Hill, NASDEC, and Shaolin Temple, ticking off Lusaka landmarks like he was speedrunning a video game.
But here is the part that shocked even Speed’s own fanbase: His Zambia tour stream clocked 2 million views in just 24 hours - the fastest record in his entire SADC tour. South Africa tried. Botswana tried. Namibia tried. But Zambia? Zambia said, “Hold my nshima.”
Just To Unlock Your Mind:
Many Zambians expected Speed to collaborate with local content creators such as Ndime Emma and the likes but none of that happened. Not even a “What’s up YouTube it’s ya boy Speed and today I’m with…” moment. As usual, social media didn’t waste time. Some people mocked local creators, claiming Speed just schooled them on how to really create viral content.
But filmmaker David Kazadi stepped in like a grandfather standing up for his grandchildren before their hot-tempered parents: Local creators are talented, he said. What they need is equipment, support, exposure, and investment. Give them that - and you’ll see magic too. In the end, Speed didn’t just visit Zambia. He broke records, triggered debates, inspired memes, shocked Slapdee’s accent, and gave the country a 48-hour blockbuster.
WHO IS ISHOWSPEED?
IShowSpeed (real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr., born January 21, 2005) is a world-famous American YouTuber, online streamer, and musician. As of January 2026, he is recognized as one of the most influential internet personalities globally, known for his high-energy, chaotic, and often unpredictable live streams.
Career and Rise to Fame Early Content: He began his YouTube channel in 2016, initially focusing on gaming content such as NBA 2K and Fortnite. Viral Growth: He exploded in popularity between 2021 and 2022, largely due to clips of his "wild" behavior—such as barking and intense outbursts—going viral on TikTok.
Soccer Influence: Speed is famously known as the ultimate "superfan" of Cristiano Ronaldo. His shift toward football-related content helped him reach a massive international audience.
Global Tours: He has transitioned into "In-Real-Life" (IRL) streaming, touring various continents. As of January 2026, he is on his "Speed Does Africa" tour, visiting countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Rwanda.
Streaming Records: In September 2024, he became the top English-speaking streamer of all time, and his "IRL Stream in Indonesia" set a record with over one million concurrent viewers.
Musical and Media Ventures Music: Speed has a successful rapping career; his 2022 single "World Cup" charted internationally under Warner Records. Other hits include "Shake" and "Ronaldo (Sewey)". WWE Appearances: He has appeared at major events like WrestleMania XL and the 2025 Royal Rumble.
Awards: He won "Streamer of the Year" at the Streamer Awards in both 2024 and 2025.
Personal and Controversies Controversies: His career has been marked by several high-profile incidents, including a long-term ban from Twitch for "sexual coercion" (later unbanned in 2023), permanent bans from Riot Games for sexist remarks, and accidentally exposing himself during a stream in 2023 (the "IShowMeat" incident).
Health: He suffers from chronic cluster headaches, which have led to multiple hospitalizations, including a significant incident in Tokyo in 2023. Net Worth: Late 2025 estimates place his net worth between $10 million and $30 million, driven by ad revenue, merchandise, and lucrative streaming deals.
DISCLAIMER: Some information was relied upon external sources.
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