IShowSpeed Celebrates 50 Million Subscribers While Wrapping 28‑Day African Tour

Updated 2026-01-27 09:11:25+00:00 (2 articles)

Tour Spans 28 Days Across 19 African Nations IShowSpeed began his continent‑wide trek in Angola in late December, then traveled through southern, eastern and North African countries, attending the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco on Jan. 18 before heading to Ghana and a final stop in Namibia, completing a 28‑day, 19‑country itinerary [1].

Milestones Marked in Nigeria: 50 Million Subscribers and 21st Birthday While performing in Nigeria, Watkins celebrated both his 50 million YouTube subscriber count and his 21st birthday, underscoring his rapid rise on multiple platforms and personal significance of the visit [1].

Cultural Immersion Highlights From Ghana to Senegal In Ghana, he sampled jollof rice, met a traditional ruler and received a massage at the shea‑butter museum, describing the experience as “back home”; shortly after, he joined Senegalese fans in Dakar following their Africa Cup of Nations victory, sharing the celebration on his streams [1].

Historical Reflection at Gorée Island’s House of Slaves During his Dakar stop, Watkins visited the House of Slaves on Gorée Island, prompting local resident Pape Seye to urge Black Americans to recognize the shared Atlantic slave‑trade history, a moment highlighted in the report [1].

Mixed Reactions From Critics and Supporters Beninese influencer Nelly Mbaa criticized Watkins for embodying a Western spectacle‑focused image of young Black men, while dozens of African‑American viewers posted supportive videos praising his cultural outreach, illustrating the polarized reception of his tour [1].

Sources (1 articles)

[1]
AP: IShowSpeed marks 50 million subscribers on African tour: The article details his 28‑day, 19‑country journey, celebrations in Nigeria, cultural stops in Ghana and Senegal, a visit to Gorée Island’s House of Slaves, and the contrasting commentary from African influencers.
2026-01-27 09:11:25+00:00

Timeline

Dec 2025 – IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.) launches a 28‑day, 20‑country African tour, beginning in Angola; he livestreams the beach crowd and a fan recreating his meme, and thanks fans for their “love and energy” in real time[1].

Early Jan 2026 – In Eswatini, Speed takes part in a royal palace initiation and receives the name Logijimako, meaning “the one who runs,” a ceremonial warrior role he shares with his audience[1].

Early Jan 2026 – While in Ethiopia, Speed learns the nation uses the Ge’ez calendar, jokes that “the year is different” and quips about Ronaldo, highlighting cultural surprises on the road[1].

Early Jan 2026 – In Harare, Zimbabwe, the frenzy around Speed’s arrival causes security to overlook Miss Universe Zimbabwe, illustrating the crowd‑control challenges his events generate[1].

Jan 5, 2026 – In Nigeria, Speed celebrates his 21st birthday and hits 50 million YouTube subscribers, livestreaming both milestones and emphasizing his rapid platform growth[2].

Jan 18, 2026 – Speed attends the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco, adding his high‑profile presence to the tournament’s climax[2].

Jan 19‑20, 2026 – After Senegal’s AFCON victory, Speed joins jubilant Senegalese fans, streams the celebration, and later visits Gorée Island’s House of Slaves, where resident Pape Seye urges Black Americans to recognize the shared history of the Atlantic slave trade[2].

Late Jan 2026 – In Ghana, Speed tastes jollof rice, meets a traditional ruler, and receives a massage at the shea‑butter museum, describing the experience as “back home” and noting his West African ancestry[2].

Late Jan 2026 – The tour is slated to wrap up in Namibia after the Ghana stop, completing the 28‑day, 19‑country itinerary[2].

2026 (ongoing) – The tour fuels a heated debate: supporters claim it shines a positive light on Africa, while critics label it a “superficial gimmick” and argue it projects a Western‑focused spectacle of Black youth, a view voiced by Beninese influencer Nelly Mbaa[1][2].