American streamer iShowSpeed has officially responded to criticisms that he ignored Nigerian content creators during his ongoing “Speed Does Africa” tour. Following his first full day in Lagos, which saw massive crowds and viral moments, the streamer clarified that his journey is focused on showcasing everyday African life rather than influencer collaborations.
The Source of Controversy
The backlash intensified after several Nigerian creators accused Speed of ignoring their requests for joint content. A specific point of debate involved popular streamer Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, who made several highly visible attempts to get Speed’s attention.
Peller was seen attempting to climb onto Speed’s vehicle and later riding a horse through traffic to approach him, pleading for a collaboration. Despite these efforts, Speed continued with his scheduled activities, leading to an intense online debate regarding his engagement with local stars.
iShowSpeed’s Explanation
Addressing the situation on Thursday, Speed explained that the purpose of his tour has been misunderstood by many. He emphasized the following points:
- Focus on Unknown Talent: Speed stated that the goal of the tour is to highlight African culture and the “talent that doesn’t usually get seen,” rather than established influencers who already have large audiences.
- Strict Scheduling: He revealed that his itinerary is tightly controlled by a fixed schedule. “Every day on this tour is scheduled—the locations, the time, everything,” he noted, explaining that spontaneous meetups are not possible.
- Respect for Local Communities: Speed stressed that canceling pre-arranged cultural visits to meet with influencers would be disrespectful to the local communities that have prepared for his arrival.
A Recurring Issue
Speed noted that similar complaints arose during his earlier stop in South Africa. However, he remains committed to the original vision of the “Speed Does Africa” project, which he describes as a search for “the real Africa”—including street performers and local artists.
Tour Progress and Next Steps
The “Speed Does Africa” tour, which kicked off on December 29, 2025, is a massive undertaking scheduled to span 28 days across 20 different countries. Having concluded his initial activities in Lagos, iShowSpeed is expected to travel to the Benin Republic next as the tour continues.
Source: Africa Publicity
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