KINGSTON, Jamaica — American streamer IShowSpeed is currently travelling around Kingston as part of the Jamaican leg of his Caribbean tour.

Observer Online was on site at Emancipation Park on Friday for the start of his tour in Kingston, which began with a history lesson from former Miss Jamaica Universe Yendi Phillipps.

The streamer, better known simply as “Speed”, was given a crash course on Jamaica’s national heroes and participated in a traditional Kumina dance alongside a group of Jamaican students.

Phillipps explained that Jamaican strength comes from the ancestors who paved the way for them including our heroes. Pointing to a $500 bill, she shared, “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 added, “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 21-year-old was then handed over to singer Jesse Royal who will escort Speed on much of his tour.

The streamer had KFC in New Kingston and met dancehall legend Sean Paul on a brief stop at Haile Selassie High School before exploring the surrounding community, trying his hand at carpentry and getting his hair “touched up” at an in-home salon.

Speed, whose given name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr, rose to prominence through streaming himself playing games and is now considered one of the most popular streamers in the world. He is known for his high-energy displays and recent tours of Africa, South America, Europe and Asia.

— Dana Malcolm

Former Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps greets American streamer IShowSpeed at the start of his Kingston tour. (Photo: Dana Malcolm)

Former Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps provides a brief history lesson to American streamer IShowSpeed on his Kingston tour. (Photo: Dana Malcolm)

American streamer IShowSpeed participates in a traditional Kumina dance alongside a group of Jamaican students. (Photo: Dana Malcolm)

American streamer IShowSpeed participates in a traditional Kumina dance alongside a group of Jamaican students. (Photo: Dana Malcolm)

American streamer IShowSpeed participates in a traditional Kumina dance alongside a group of Jamaican students. (Photo: Dana Malcolm)