Get to Know American Vlogger IShowSpeed
ISHOWSPEED – Learn all about the American content creator and live streamer iShowSpeed here.
In September 2024, American content creator and live streamer IShowSpeed was swarmed by fans during his visit to the Philippines. He began his live stream in Tondo, Manila, playing basketball with the locals.
Following his time in Tondo, IShowSpeed headed to Bonifacio Global City, where large crowds of fans gathered around him, interrupting his stream. The following day, he traveled to General Santos City in Mindanao to meet boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
But who exactly is IShowSpeed?
IShowSpeed, born Darren Watkins Jr., is a popular content creator with over 69 million subscribers and followers across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Recently, he celebrated surpassing 25 million subscribers on YouTube, though the moment didn’t go as planned.
While streaming from what appeared to be London during the Champions League final, his laptop’s low battery and possible poor internet connection caused technical difficulties, stalling his celebration. A video of the incident shared on social media captured the glitch-filled milestone moment.
In addition to Instagram, IShowSpeed engages with over 2 million followers on X (formerly Twitter). On YouTube, his content includes live streams of sporting events like football cup finals, gaming, and interactions with his followers. These streams are later uploaded as videos to his YouTube and other social media accounts. He also creates short-form content specifically for TikTok and Instagram.
Speed’s clips are often humorous, controversial, or a combination of both, sparking discussions no matter what he’s up to. Some notable moments include heated exchanges with fellow Manchester United fans, being hospitalized after participating in his first-ever cheese rolling event, and getting RKO’d by WWE star Randy Orton at WrestleMania.
At 19 years old, Speed hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, and was born on January 21, 2005. He started his YouTube journey in 2016 at the age of 11, uploading gaming videos featuring titles like Fortnite and NBA 2K. His popularity skyrocketed in 2021 when he gained a million followers in just a few days.
Speed became known for his explosive reactions during gaming, such as raging at games, other players, and even his own camera—moments that often turned into viral memes.
However, his antics have occasionally landed him in trouble. He’s been banned from Twitch and the game Valorant for incidents involving inappropriate comments. Despite these setbacks, in 2022, Speed shifted his focus more toward football-related content, further cementing his fame. That same year, he played in a charity match alongside the Sidemen and won the Streamy Award for ‘Breakout Streamer.’
Interestingly, Speed didn’t start making substantial income from YouTube until 2022, despite his massive following. Beyond streaming, he’s made several WWE appearances and has ventured into music, releasing 10 tracks across four singles and EPs over four years. His 2022 track “World Cup” became a surprise hit, reaching number one in the Netherlands, sixth in Sweden, 37th in Ireland, and 52nd in the UK—the only one of his songs to chart so far.