Popular American streamer iShowSpeed has publicly addressed growing criticism from local content creators in Nigeria who accused him of being disrespectful for not collaborating with them during his ongoing Africa tour.
In a clear response, Speed clarified that the core mission of his tour is not influencer partnerships, but cultural documentation. He stated the objective is to spotlight authentic African life by featuring everyday citizens, street performers, and local communities that seldom receive global attention.
“Every stop is pre-planned and tightly scheduled by my team,” Speed explained, noting that his itinerary is built around visiting specific locations in each country. He emphasized that time constraints make it impossible to accommodate every collaboration request.
He also pointed out a disconnect in the criticism, stating that many of the creators voicing complaints already possess substantial platforms. His tour, he argued, is intentionally designed to elevate those without such visibility.
“I won’t cancel or rearrange cultural experiences and local moments just to fit in influencers,” Speed stated firmly. “The entire purpose is to showcase real African culture to the world, not to make the tour revolve around content creators.”
The response highlights an ongoing tension between global influencers visiting regions for cultural content and local digital creators seeking cross-promotion.
