US streamer IShowSpeed opens Kingston leg with heroes lesson, Kumina and star guides

KINGSTON, Jamaica — United States internet personality IShowSpeed is making his way across the capital while Jamaica hosts the current chapter of a broader Caribbean tour.

Observer Online accompanied him at Emancipation Park on Friday as his Kingston programme kicked off with former Miss Jamaica Universe Yendi Phillipps. Followers usually call him “Speed.”

Phillipps outlined the country’s national heroes before he stepped into a Kumina circle alongside several Jamaican schoolchildren.

She said the nation’s backbone lies in forebears—including those elevated as heroes—who opened doors for today’s generation. Lifting a five-hundred-dollar banknote, she said, “On the money, that’s Nanny of the Maroons and Sam Sharpe, so literally on the backs of those people is why we…Jamaicans don’t frighten fi nobody, we respect everybody.” She went on, “Something about us is just a little bit special. The reason why Usain is that much better, or the reason why Bob is that much better is because we stand on the shoulders of heroes.”

The twenty-one-year-old was then placed in the care of vocalist Jesse Royal, who is slated to accompany him for much of the remaining schedule.

He ate at KFC in New Kingston and, during a quick call at Haile Selassie High School, encountered dancehall icon Sean Paul. From there he moved through adjoining streets, had a go at woodworking and visited a home-based salon for a fresh trim and styling.

Born Darren Jason Watkins Jr, he gained global notice by live-streaming videogame play and is now counted among the most watched broadcasters online. Viewers associate him with loud, kinetic shows and he has lately filmed travel segments in Africa, South America, Europe and Asia.