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IShowSpeed is one of the most popular YouTube streamers with over 32 million subscribers from all over the world.
Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins Jr., is considered by many to be YouTube’s most popular streamer of 2024. The 19-year-old, known for his energetic yet chaotic livestreams, has a fanbase of tens of millions around the world. From his humble beginnings in Cincinnati, Ohio, to amassing over 32 million YouTube subscribers, we’ll look at how IShowSpeed rose to fame.
IShowSpeed’s Rise to Fame: From Making NBA 2K Content to Becoming the Most Popular YouTube Streamer
IShowSpeed kickstarted his online career in 2016 when he was only 11 years old. He initially began by uploading gaming content as he frequently played titles like NBA 2K and Fortnite. He eventually expanded into Just Chatting and IRL content, and in 2021, and began collaborating with well-known personalities such as Adin Ross.
His popularity began skyrocketing in 2022 when he released his music track, Shake. The music video remains the most viewed video on his channel, with over 215 million views. On the other hand, some controversies seemed to boost his popularity even more. For example, he was indefinitely banned from Twitch after making suggestive remarks about TikToker Ash Kash.
In another instance, his controversial actions in Valorant also went viral. The game’s producer at Riot Games stated that they “did not want players” like IShowSpeed in their community. The streamer eventually apologized for his actions, claiming that there was nothing he could say to “justify the situation.”
Fast forward to 2023, IShowSpeed started hosting IRL streams from various parts of the globe. His trip to Japan in July 2023 drew a lot of attention, as he had undergone unexpected surgery after experiencing a “deadly headache.” Slipz, the streamer’s friend and cameraman, informed the community that doctors had diagnosed IShowSpeed with a severe sinus infection. Thankfully, the medical team eventually discharged Darren, and he resumed livestreaming after a brief hiatus.
IShowSpeed’s Appearance at Sporting Events
Aside from livestreaming, IShowSpeed’s popularity in mainstream media increased significantly after he made a surprise appearance at WWE WrestleMania. While dressed in a blue Prime (Logan Paul and Olajide “KSI’s” beverage venture) costume, the content creator was RKO’d by WWE superstar Randy “The Viper” Orton.
Additionally, IShowSpeed made a guest appearance at the FA Cup 2024 after-party, and his pictures with sports stars went viral on social media platforms such as TikTok, X, and Reddit.
In 2024, Darren also broke his all-time live concurrent viewership record, with over a million people tuning in to his IRL livestream in Indonesia. Most recently (on September 24, 2024), the streamer celebrated reaching 32 million YouTube subscribers by bungee jumping during a Singapore broadcast.
As of this writing, IShowSpeed has resumed hosting his iconic desktop-based livestream, and he has been playing a variety of scary games on his channel, as Halloween 2024 approaches.
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