American streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr, popularly known as IShowSpeed, was caught off guard on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when an elderly Liberian man knelt before him and tearfully asked to be acknowledged as a member of their family.
In a video shared on Speed’s YouTube channel on the same day, the man, who had grey hair on his head, is seen becoming visibly emotional as the streamer, whose fans were scrambling to get a glimpse of, drew closer to him.
At that moment, the man began passionately explaining why he believed they were related, saying that they had previously lived in Maryland before later relocating to Liberia.
“We are from Maryland County, and this way of dressing you see is how we dress here now. We are your people,” the elderly man said.
Speed, upon hearing the emotional claim, also reacted emotionally and offered the old man a warm hug, a gesture that prompted loud cheers from the crowd that had gathered to witness the moment.
The encounter came as the streamer continued to criss-cross the West African country, where hundreds of youths gathered in the streets carrying placards bearing his name while marvelling at his presence and popularity.
Whirlwind African tour
The Liberia livestream followed a whirlwind African tour that officially began in Angola on December 29, 2025. There, IShowSpeed spent several days interacting with fans, exploring city streets, and immersing himself in local culture, livestreaming every moment.
From Angola, he travelled to South Africa, where he was greeted by massive crowds, participated in street performances, and performed his signature backflips in front of ecstatic fans.
His next stop was Mozambique, where he streamed from city streets and coastal areas, joined traditional dancers and acrobats, and praised the country’s vibrant scenery and culture. In Eswatini, he explored local markets, landmarks, and cultural spots, while in Botswana, he went on a jungle safari, interacting with wildlife and sharing the experience with his global audience.
IShowSpeed’s visit to Zimbabwe included city tours, street performances, and fan meet-ups, followed by a brief one-day break before continuing his journey to Zambia.
There, thousands of fans welcomed him, and he explored the capital, received custom artwork from local artists, sampled local cuisine, and even joined children during a karate class.
In Ethiopia, IShowSpeed engaged in street livestreams and cultural tours, showcasing the country’s heritage and connecting with fans. He then spent two days in Kenya, interacting closely with large crowds and livestreaming from several locations, including busy urban areas and local landmarks.
Rwanda was also part of the itinerary, where he documented street culture, music, and fan interactions.
His journey then took him to the Sahara Desert and then to Morocco, where he continued to livestream from city streets, interacted with fans, and participated in local cultural experiences that showcased the richness of the country’s history and traditions.
From Morocco, he travelled to Senegal, where he explored bustling markets, cultural sites, and local performances, sharing the vibrant atmosphere with his global audience.
After that, he travelled to Nigeria, where his stream did not go as planned after fans started asking him for money.
Before arriving in Liberia, IShowSpeed’s penultimate stop was Benin, where he was introduced to a spiritual ritual that involved human-like voodoo and which left him running for his dear life.
