In a move that has reignited the long-standing “Jollof War” between Nigeria and Ghana, IShowSpeed’s father, Darren Watkins Sr. (known as “Daddy Speed”), declared Nigerian jollof rice as the superior dish during a viral blind taste test.
The clip, posted after his return to the United States from his Africa tour, showed IShowSpeed seated beside his father and his brother, Jamal, as they prepared to taste jollof rice from both countries. “My dad is about to try the Nigerian jollof,” the streamer said in the video, as he handed over a plate.
After tasting the Nigerian jollof, his father responded positively, saying, “This is good, it has the jambalaya feel.” The tasting continued with the Ghanaian version of the dish. IShowSpeed then asked his father to choose between the two. Without hesitation, he replied, “The Nigerian.” Explaining his choice, he said the Ghanaian jollof was spicier but lacked the same depth of flavour. “The Nigerian has the flavour, Ghanaian has the spice,” he added.
READ: Africa: How Nigeria missed iShowSpeed’s visit to showcase Its Cultural Heritage
The tasting followed IShowSpeed’s Speed Does Africa tour, which saw him travel across 20 African countries in 28 days. During the tour, he sampled local dishes and repeatedly commented on food from different regions. While in Ghana, he also tasted Ghanaian jollof during a livestream and stated that he preferred the Nigerian version. Despite the warm reception he received in Ghana, including cultural honours and official recognition, he has continued to maintain his preference.
In Ghana, IShowSpeed was received by traditional leaders in the Akuapem Traditional Area, where he was given the name Barima Kofi Akuffo during a naming ceremony. Videos showed him dressed in traditional attire as elders performed symbolic rites. Following the visit, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that his office had approved a Ghanaian passport for the streamer, describing him as a “worthy ambassador.” The minister said the decision followed confirmation of what he called IShowSpeed’s ties to Ghana. During his stay, the streamer told viewers that his mother was from the West African country and said he felt as though he was “back home.”
His Africa tour was not limited to Ghana and Nigeria, it featured several countries, with scenes of young fans gathering in large numbers to meet him. His livestreams showcased street life, cultural practices, music, sport and everyday interactions.
IShowSpeed, 21, has become one of the most recognisable digital creators globally. He has more than 50 million subscribers on YouTube and over 45 million followers on Instagram. Known for his energetic livestreams and viral reactions, he was recently named Most Influential Creator of 2025 by Rolling Stone, while Forbes estimates his net worth at around $20 million.
