YouTuber IShowSpeed Hits 50m Subscribers In Nigeria On Africa Tour

As part of his African tour, US YouTuber IShowSpeed celebrated his 21st birthday by reaching 50 million subscribers on Wednesday in Lagos, the country’s cultural and economic capital.

The YouTube and Twitch star’s tour began on December 29 and spanned some 15 African nations, drawing crowds at every stop.

He was named the Most Influential Creator of 2025 by Rolling Stone, and Forbes estimates a $ 20 million net worth.

During an event held at the Admiralty Mall in Lagos on January 21, 2026, US YouTuber and online streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., also known as IShowSpeed (C-L), stands surrounded by supporters and bodyguards. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN/AFP)

IShowSpeed’s Lagos Island visit began at the brisk Balogun Market, where he received heckles and money requests.

What are they saying, exactly? The influencer, who was surrounded by bodyguards, exclaimed as he fled the market, “It’s like they’re speaking English, but it’s a different kind of English.”

Before heading to the Nike Art Gallery, a must-see for every celebrity and senior political figure who visits Lagos, he jumped at the spicy kick of his first bite of jollof rice at Freedom Park, which is situated on the site of a former prison.

During an event held at the Admiralty Mall in Lagos on January 21, 2026, US YouTuber and online streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., also known as IShowSpeed (C), stands surrounded by supporters and bodyguards. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN/AFP)

Stevosky, a 24-year-old YouTuber known as Stevosky, told AFP at Freedom Park, “IShowSpeed is showcasing the culture, relationships, cultural differences, and food.”

He continued, “He wants Americans to see Africa as a place where they can also travel.”

At around 6:00 p.m. (GMT), IShowSpeed, who was observing his birthday, stopped his security convoy while his YouTube channel’s 50 million subscribers were being prodded into a cake.

During an event at the Lagos Admiralty Mall on January 21, 2026, US YouTuber and online streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., also known as IShowSpeed (C), eats a slice of pizza. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN/AFP)

According to Karim Jari, an 18-year-old high school student at the Nike Art Gallery, “He may have shown some negative aspects of these countries, but that should be able to inspire people to contribute, try to improve them, whether by starting businesses, raising money, or using any other means at their disposal.”

The day before, IShowSpeed celebrated the victory of Senegal in Dakar’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

During an event held at the Admiralty Mall in Lagos on January 21, 2026, US YouTuber and online streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., also known as IShowSpeed (C), broadcasts to his followers. (Photo by TOYIN ADEDOKUN/AFP)

The YouTube star, who was born Darren Jason Watkins Jr. in Cincinnati, first gained popularity by producing video game content and then by sharing his travels with others.

Paternity Claims: Davido’s Father Threatens To Sue Kemi Olunloyo

Afrobeats star Davido’s father, Adedeji Adeleke, has threatened legal action against social media personality Kemi Olunloyo, alleging that she was the victim of defamation, misinformation, and continued defamation in a minor-related paternity dispute for years.

Adeleke addressed a press conference on Wednesday as a result of renewed controversy over claims that Davido gave birth to Anuoluwapo, a 12-year-old girl.

Adeleke questioned whether the family would file a lawsuit because the situation had become excessive.

“I believe we should take it into account. He claimed that things are “get out of hand.”

He added that Olunloyo’s publication of what she termed a DNA result was deceptive and false.

He said, “We are going to consider suing her” and that the defamatory behavior would be appropriate for publication.

Defamation and Impersonation Allegations

Adeleke accused Olunloyo of attacking his son with false accusations by claiming he was a child and that she had forged documents on social media.

He claimed that the child’s aunt had confirmed to the family that Olunloyo and the family had cut ties with her and that she was in charge of overseeing the Anu-owned online accounts.

Read more about Adeleke, a paternity claim that is unnecessarily based on DNA evidence, and Adeleke, not Davido’s daughter.

He claimed that “She has been lying and lying, using an account that is not hers, and pretending to be the child’s mother.”

She lies a lot, she says. She is portrayed as crazy by the family. Somewhere, she is receiving psychiatric care.

Her own father would not agree. I’m not interested in what she says, therefore.

Olunloyo’s claim of a personal relationship with his late wife was also refuted by the billionaire businessman, who called it false.

Multiple DNA tests were performed.

Adeleke claimed that the DNA testing was done to satisfy his father’s desire rather than to appease the general public.

The public did not inspire the decision I made to test David. For myself, I did it. Science is involved.

It won’t change even if it is repeated ten times. It resembles a fingerprint. He claimed that the DNA profile would never change.

He emphasized that Adeleke, who already has 14 grandchildren, had no justification for rejecting a child.

What more, exactly? Do you think I can’t afford to look after her? But science exists, he claimed, and it is clear.

Adeleke argued that Davido is not the biological father of the child despite numerous DNA tests that have been conducted over the years.

He added that the same reputable laboratory conducted the disputed tests, insisting that the results were consistent with those obtained from Davido’s acknowledged children, including Imade and his late son Ifeanyi, as well.

“Imade’s DNA was produced in the same lab.” Ifeanyi’s DNA was produced at the same lab. They are identical in every way, he said.

“Results Despite”

Adeleke acknowledged that he had continued to support the child and her family in secret despite the lack of biological connections that the DNA tests revealed.

He claimed to have paid Anu’s school fees, provided upkeep funds, and accepted her mother’s monthly stipend.

“I would have been glad if I could afford to send the girl’s school fees and send her money without telling anyone, so I could spoil her like the others,” he said. “I would have been glad if I had known that she is not my grandchild.

He continued, “Davido was unaware of my private relationship with the family.”

Anuoluwapo’s name was used to appeal for a new DNA test after the paternity dispute resurfaced in early January, claiming she had endured years of bullying and emotional suffering.

On X, Davido responded, claiming that he had already been screened for her father through a number of DNA tests.

However, her mother objected, claiming only one test was run in 2014 and that it had errors.

She demanded a new, independently monitored DNA test. The journalist also refuted the Adeleke family’s claims, citing the DNA test results from 2014 as the only one that had been verified.

Paternity Claims Unnecessary, DNA Tests Show Anu Not Davido’s Daughter – Adeleke

Afrobeats star Davido’s father, Adedeji Adeleke, has disputed paternity claims made by his son and claims DNA test results show that 12-year-old Anuoluwapo is not the singer’s child. &nbsp,

Anu deserves to know her father, according to Mr. Adeleke, who made the remarks at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday.

He claims that five DNA tests have been conducted to disprove the paternity claim, but none have actually demonstrated otherwise.

The singer has never denied having a child, according to Davido’s father, who spoke to the audience.

He recalled how he supported her despite the findings that showed that Anu wasn’t Davido’s child.

He claims to frequently send money to pay for Anu’s education and care. Mr. Adedeji explained that whenever money came in, the aunt would return receipts to him along with items that had been purchased for the 12-year-old.

The Osun-born businessman claims to have managed the school costs up until last year while maintaining contact with Anu’s aunt. He claimed that Davido was unaware of this.

He claimed, “I did not talk about it with David or anyone else.”

Ayra Starr, Davido, Wizkid, and Tiwa Savage are also nominated for the 2026 MOBO Awards.

In the middle of January, Davido and Anuoluwapo’s long-running paternity dispute resurfaced.

She posted a request for a new DNA test on Instagram. The teenager cited classmates’ years of bullying, mockery, and mental distress as evidence against claims that Davido is her father.

Davido has, however, denied paternity by claiming that five DNA tests at various hospitals have negative results.

If Davido’s allegations aren’t removed, the singer threatened to file legal action and imprison her mother in a leaked chat.

Davido claimed that Davido’s father demanded that the DNA samples be screened for accuracy.

Ayotomide Labinjoh, Anu’s mother, has refuted Davido’s claims that he had taken multiple tests.

Only one DNA test was conducted, Labinjoh claimed.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Excludes Fela, Announces 2021 Inductees

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reveals its 2021 Inductees, celebrating the most diverse list of Inductees in the history of the organization. They are:

Performer Category:

  • Tina Turner
  • Carole King
  • The Go-Go’s
  • JAY-Z
  • Foo Fighters
  • Todd Rundgren

Early Influence Award:

  • Kraftwerk
  • Charley Patton
  • Gil Scott-Heron

Musical Excellence Award:

  • LL Cool J
  • Billy Preston
  • Randy Rhoads

Ahmet Ertegun Award:

  • Clarence Avant

“This diverse class of talented Inductees reflects the Rock Hall’s ongoing commitment to honor artists whose music created the sound of youth culture”, said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “It will make for an unforgettable live celebration of music in October at this year’s Induction Ceremony in Cleveland.”

To be eligible, artists are required to have released their first record 25 years prior to induction. Learn more about the qualifications and categories here: rockhall.com/inductees/categories

Ballots were sent to an international voting body of more than 1,200 artists, including current living Inductees, historians and members of the music industry. Factors such as an artist’s musical influence on other artists, length and depth of career and the body of work, innovation and superiority in style and technique are taken into consideration.

The 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 8 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio with a radio simulcast on SiriusXM’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Radio channel 310. The Induction Ceremony will air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max. Tickets go on sale to the public and members in July at ticketmaster.com.   Select Rock Hall donors and members get exclusive Induction ticket opportunities. Donate or join by June 30, 2021 to be eligible. Visit rockhall.com/join to learn more.

REDTV Premieres most Anticipated Men’s Club Season 2 Trailer

l-r: Actor,  Somto Akanegbu; Co-owner Urban Vision Limited, Akins Akinkugbe, Actor, Sharon Ooja ; Group Head Corporate Communications/ Executive Producer, The Men’s Club, Bola Atta; Director The Men’s Club, Tola Odunsi;  Actor, Adebukola Oladipupo, during the Season 2 Premiere of the movie in Lagos

Lagos, Saturday 18th of May, 2019 was the definition of entertainment success. From the lights to setup, the atmosphere was filled with the euphoria of excitement. The wait was finally over, almost 6 months after the first season hit YouTube, The Men’s club, season 2 is set to launch.

In anticipation, a private screening was held at the IMAX Filmhouse cinema, Lekki. In attendance were the cast, crew and industry supporters. A little waiting room held a re-enacted set from the show’s opening montage, signature cocktails, mock tails  and delicious canapés were served. The Crème-de-la Crème of Lagos entertainment elites including Kemi Adetiba, Noble Igwe, Eku Edewor, Ashionye Raccah, Bola Atta and guests mingled and re-lived their favourite scenes from Season 1 through pictures and interviews.

At 7:30 pm, all guests were ushered into the main screening hall by the Creative Director of REDTV, Obinna Okerekeocha, intimating fans and guests present that the new Season was about to bring on a different dimension. ‘REDTV has taken drama to a different level and we aren’t scared to push the boundaries. Our vision at REDTV is to continually produce premium content for entertainment. The new season of The Men’s Club is real. Its aspirational and relatable. The cinematography and scores are top class and its wonderful to see how the lead actors have grown. This is going to be a bigger hit than Season one’ said Okerekeocha. He reminded everyone to spread the message and invite friends to subscribe on the REDTV.

As end credits from the show reeled on the screen, the room was filled with resounding applause. In a thank you address, Bola Atta the Executive Producer expressed her uttermost joy as the show more than surpassed expectations. She thanked the United Bank for Africa(UBA) for the endless support to ensure the success of REDTV and congratulated Tola Odunsi and Akins Akinkugbe, co-producers of The Men’s Club.

The curtains drew with a final address from Tola Odunsi and Akins ‘AK’ Akinkugbe returning immense gratitude to every single actor and crew behind the scene reminding guests that ‘it’s easy to see the finished show but every single person who contributes to the show makes the job worthwhile’.

The Men’s Club starring Daniel Etim Effiong, Ayo Ayoola, Efa Iwara, Baaja Adebule, Mimi Chaka, Sharon Ooja, Segilola Ogidan, Enado Odigie. This season hosts some new faces including Shawn Faqua, Ijeoma Aniebo, Somto Akanegbu as we follow the lives of 4 young men in Lagos, discovering love, breaking hearts and trying to find meaning to life through their daily experiences and encounters.

The new season drops on YouTube this Thursday 23rd, May on the REDTV channel.

REDTV is a fast paced lifestyle channel that puts Africa on the global stage. Proudly powered by the  United Bank, UBA.

The network is here to entertain and inform with rich content that feature the very best of Africa focused on entertainment, fashion, news, design,
music, sport, movies and travel and much more. 

REDTV collaborates with the most talented visionaries, creative minds daring to believe in a New Africa, putting together content that reflects it. Feel the Heat on REDTV.