Popular American streamer iShowSpeed has responded to critics accusing him of being disrespectful for not collaborating with content creators during his ongoing Africa tour in Nigeria, insisting the trip is designed to showcase African culture rather than centre on influencer partnerships.
In a statement addressing the backlash, Speed said the purpose of the tour is to highlight everyday Africans who are often unseen online, including street performers, local talents and community members, rather than fellow streamers who already have established platforms.
He explained that each stop on the tour is tightly scheduled and pre-planned by his team, with limited time frames and specific locations to visit in every country, leaving little room for unscheduled collaborations.
Speed noted that many of the creators criticising him already enjoy visibility and influence, while the tour is meant to provide exposure to people who would otherwise not have access to a global audience.
The streamer added that he would not cancel or disrupt cultural activities arranged by locals simply to accommodate influencers, stressing that the core aim of the tour is to put African culture on display for the world.
According to him, the Africa tour is about storytelling, cultural exchange and representation, not streamer meet-ups and that focus, he said, will remain unchanged.
