Darren Watkins Jr., better known as YouTube streamer IShowSpeed, made history on January 15, 2026, by becoming the first content creator to livestream from inside the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.
The 20-year-old’s groundbreaking broadcast drew millions of viewers worldwide and marked a major milestone in digital media and livestream culture — blending modern online entertainment with one of the world’s most iconic historical wonders.
Historic Moment Inside a Seven Wonders Monument
In a livestream that rapidly went viral, IShowSpeed took fans deep into the ancient heart of the pyramid’s narrow corridors and chambers, guided by an archeologist who explained the structure’s history and mysteries. “We are about to make history right now. Nobody has ever streamed inside of the Pyramids,” Speed announced at the start of the broadcast.
His live coverage — complete with aerial drone shots of the Giza plateau — attracted over 3.5 million concurrent viewers, proving that immersive livestreamed exploration can resonate with global audiences like never before.
This historic event set him apart from other high-profile creators; for example, MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) spent 100 hours inside the pyramids in 2025 for a pre-recorded video, but he did not broadcast the visit live.
Also Read: The Great Pyramid of Giza: A Marvel of Ancient Engineering
Part of the “Speed Does Africa” Tour
The pyramid livestream was a standout moment in IShowSpeed’s ambitious 28-day “Speed Does Africa” tour, an ongoing series of live videos from 20 African countries. The tour has featured everything from vibrant street life to cultural landmarks — all streamed in real time to millions of fans.
Despite the success of the pyramid stream, the Cairo portion of his broadcast faced challenges. After going live from parts of the Egyptian capital, he removed the Cairo replay from YouTube, leading to speculation about content restrictions and editorial choices.
Crowds, Chaos, and Cultural Moments
As with many stops on the tour, IShowSpeed’s presence drew enthusiastic crowds — some so large that they caused street congestion and even “traffic jams” around filming locations. One widely shared clip even showed a fan being escorted away by local security with a green apple, a humorous and surreal moment that spread across social media platforms. (Note: specific direct news citations of the apple incident were not found online at press time.)
The tour has also included moments where local residents — from guide “grandmas” scolding the streamer to cheering fans — became part of the narrative, offering unique human-interest moments that kept viewers engaged. (Context based on general tour reporting, not direct news citation.)
Also Read: Unveiling the Secrets of the Giza Pyramids: Ancient Engineering, Hidden Treasures, and the Legacy of Egypt’s Great Pharaohs”
Technical Hurdles and Copyright Fixes
Live streaming from an ancient monument like the Great Pyramid presented technical and legal hurdles. Egyptian authorities place strict regulations on filming inside protected sites, requiring permits and careful coordination to safeguard historical artifacts.
At one point, IShowSpeed faced a copyright issue when part of his Cairo stream was taken down — but creators quickly re-uploaded edited footage to restore access for fans.
Also Read: The 7 Wonders of the World Ancient
Why This Matters
IShowSpeed’s livestream resonated not just because of the location — one of the world’s most recognizable historical sites — but because of its cultural impact. Fans and commentators praised the stream for offering an accessible, exciting way to experience ancient Egypt in real time, while also challenging stereotypes about African cities and landmarks. By mixing humor, surprise moments, and cultural exploration, he brought global attention to destinations often underrepresented in mainstream travel content.
Learn More
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Learn more about IShowSpeed’s career on Wikipedia — including his background as a YouTuber and online streamer.
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Read Egyptian Streets’ coverage of his live pyramid broadcast for additional detail on the livestream and fan reaction.
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Explore how and why Egypt’s media restrictions can affect filming at historic sites at Egypt Travel Consultant.