At this point, iShowSpeed’s Africa tour deserves its own documentary, because the headlines alone are racking up the numbers.
Based purely on what has already hit the internet, this tour has created more conversation than many artists manage with a full stadium run.
Man is travelling, learning, streaming, going viral daily and yes, probably banking it while doing so.
During his visit to South Africa, Speed didn’t stick to the usual influencer checklist. No quick selfies and airport fits.
He explored widely, including a visit to a traditional village where he was introduced to local customs and ways of life. It was cultural immersion with a livestream twist, which is loud, curious, and surprisingly respectful when it mattered.
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But let’s get to the moment that really sent the internet into meltdown, the cheetah race.
In a controlled wildlife setting, Speed raced a real-life Cheetah. Yes, an actual Cheetah. While the fastest land animal still did what cheetahs do best, Speed managed to keep pace for the first few seconds, finishing close behind.
A solid effort, all things considered. At the end, he was scratched by the Cheetah and reacted with surprising calm.
iShowSpeed raced a Cheetah and almost won wtf😭 pic.twitter.com/hon5cuKqmA
— kira 👾 (@kirawontmiss) January 3, 2026
“I didn’t even scream or yell,” Speed said in a livestream when referring to being scratched by the Cheetah. “I’m an animal person. Animals freak out when you make erratic movements. You always just got to be calm.”
IShowSpeed explained why he didn’t flinch, fear, or panic after the cheetah scratched him during their big race. He was really unbothered while facing pure danger 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/HyyfA8w07w
— Woody (@nyrbhimself) January 4, 2026
Americans are probably more convinced than ever that South Africans casually race Cheetahs like it’s part of the weekly routine, but anyway, there’s bigger fish to fry over there.
The moment instantly brought back memories of Brian Habana’s famous 2007 cheetah race at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre near Brits.
Habana’s run, staged to raise awareness around cheetah conservation, became one of the most replayed sports clips of its time. Humans racing cheetahs isn’t common, but when it happens, it sticks.
Speed tapping into that legacy, intentionally or not, shows why this tour is successful. It’s unpredictable, memorable and rooted in real places and stories.
