American streamer IShowSpeed’s tour of Kenya has triggered a
wave of conversations in the diaspora, with many viewers admitting that his live streams have challenged long-held stereotypes about Africa.
From Nairobi’s streets to the open landscapes of the Maasai
Mara, millions of American viewers are seeing a version of Kenya that is vibrant,
modern and full of energy.
Speed’s streams, which attract huge live audiences, have
shown daily life, music, wildlife and fan culture in ways that many Americans
say they had never seen before.
The result is a shift in how people are now talking about
Kenya online, especially among young viewers discovering the country for the
first time.
American YouTuber Sham Goes Global, known for documenting
his travels across Africa, said the massive turnouts during Speed’s visit stood
out.
Through his YouTube channel, Sham said, “All those people
turned up to see Ishowspeed. I love to see it and I am here for it.”
Sham Goes Global added that Black Americans watching the
tour were connecting deeply with the reception Speed received.
“We Black Americans love Kenyans, and we see you as brothers
and sisters. Just seeing him being welcomed like that is beautiful because
being out there and experiencing the love makes me happy,” he said.
Sham said Kenya looked more impactful and energetic on the stream
than other African countries Speed had visited.
“I don’t think any other African country that I have seen on
his streams has been this massive and impactful. This changes the perspectives
of some Black Americans who may be ignorant, and the tour has reminded me that I
want to return to Kenya. I miss Nairobi and can’t wait to go back,” Sham said.
The content shown on Speed’s stream also shaped his view of
Kenya’s lifestyle and urban environment.
“From Ishowspeed’s stream, I take it that Nairobi is the
place to be, Kenya as a whole is home, and if you are from the diaspora Kenya is
definitely a place you need to visit,” he said.
American rapper Vic Mensa also weighed in, pointing out how
the streams are educating young Americans about the continent.
He said, “Speed is on a tour of Africa and many youth are
learning for the first time that the continent is more than baboons and mud
huts.”
He criticised the state of education in the United States,
saying, “American education is messed up but I am happy that through Speed’s
stream they are seeing Africa in its true glory.”
Mensa added that the cultural connection between Africans
and Black Americans is stronger than many realise.
“To Black Americans, Africans love you, and they will welcome
you home,” Mensa said while noting that past divisions between the two groups
were artificial.
“This division between us is manufactured; they lied to us
because when we unite with Africans who are the fastest growing population and
the most resources on earth that is the only way we get free,” he said.
Viewers on social platforms shared similar reactions, with
some admitting the streams had corrected their misconceptions about the
continent.
One American viewer asked, “Can someone please tell me why I
thought Africa is full of mud houses with grass roofs?”
The user said videos recommended on their feed after doing
more research changed their perception and showed how developed Africa is.
The viewer added that he was not sure of what he was doing
in America if Africa looked that developed.
“I did my research on my own and did not think Africa is this
developed. I am from America so do not press me about it because I did not know
what it looked like. What am I doing in America?” he paused.
Speed’s stream has also become a real-time lesson on how digital
creators can also shape global understanding.
Another American creator, EJ Tha Waryaa, said viewers were
now comparing and ranking their favourite moments from the Africa tour.
He confirmed that he was thoroughly enjoying the Speed
Africa tour and thought of it as real fun.
EJ praised the Kenya safari and cultural segments filmed in
the Maasai Mara during Ishowspeed’s second livestream in Kenya.
“I just watched the Ishowspeed Kenya safari, tribe stream in
Maasai Mara, and it is amazing, beautiful. The lions just chilling in the wild,
that was dope,” he said.
He also pointed to how the local culture was presented with
the little ceremonies and even the root tree he tried.
Beyond culture and wildlife, he said the Kenyan public
contributed heavily to the excitement around the tour.
“Shout out to the Kenyans because the energy was unreal and
organisation on point,” he said.
From the scenic helicopter ride to meeting Kenya’s tallest man,
EJ said the stream showed how rich and diverse the country is.
“The helicopter ride, the tallest man, the artwork was all so dope. We
also got to see so many good artists in Africa, which is amazing,” EJ noted.
Another American viewer, Drew Official, said he expected the
content to focus on poverty, which he realised was a misconception.
He said he had thought that Speed’s stream in Africa was going to be all
about giving back, feeding the homeless people and the needy.
However, after watching,
he admitted the reality was different from what he thought.
“Those people out there
are living so good and even better than some of us. He showed us the
side of Africa that we have never seen because clearly the people there have
everything in order,” Drew said.
Another viewer, Dip Toure, admitted he had also held
misconceptions about Africa not having tall buildings and power.
“I thought Africa was all
about clay roads and tribes,” he said.
The wave of reactions shows the impact of livestreaming on
shaping international narratives and Speed’s Kenyan tour has revealed a modern,
energetic country.
This has challenged outdated portrayals long repeated in American
media and education.
For many young Americans, the tour has been their first
real-time look at Kenya, and for Kenyans, it has been a moment to showcase
their culture, cities and hospitality to a new global audience, one livestream
at a time.