The YouTube and streaming world is buzzing. IShowSpeed (his full name Darren Jason Watkins Jr.), a streamer known for his high-energy gaming and comedy, left fans stunned after revealing the results of a recent DNA test.
Fans who follow Speed on his live stream or social media knew this was coming. The Cincinnati-born YouTuber had been talking about waiting for the test results all week, explaining he wanted to learn more about his roots and family story.
On November 8, 2025, iShowSpeed announced the results had arrived, posting on X (formerly Twitter): "the dna test results went through u guys wont believe what's my ethnicity".
The Live Stream Results: What is iShowSpeed's Real Heritage?
Fans didn't have to wait long for the explanation. Speed went live to react to the news, and the results were not what anyone expected.
During his live stream, iShowSpeed leaned into the camera, telling his chat he was "amazed" and that he had been "waiting for that moment for so long".
He then revealed the shocking breakdown of his heritage:
The DNA test report claimed he is 80 per cent (80%) African and 20 per cent (20%) European mix origin.
Speed admitted he was excited and even a little shocked by the 20% European finding. He noted that while he always knew he was African-American, this test helped settle a long-standing discussion with his father about their family's origins.
Fan Reactions and Jokes
As soon as the 80/20 split was announced, iShowSpeed's chat and social media comments exploded. Fans, as expected, reacted with playful jokes and memes.
- One user joked, "Imagine bro is a Ronaldo cousin".
- Another commented, “So he’s only 80% African? I thought he was 100% African”.
- A third joked, “Speed finna say he’s part Wakandan”.
The Ending Explained: What Happens Next?
This is the part many searchers are looking for. While iShowSpeed revealed the 80/20 continental breakdown, he did not provide the full explanation.
Speed explicitly told his viewers that he was not revealing the specific countries of origin just yet. He declared, “I’m not telling y’all the exact countries yet…y’all just gonna have to wait for the video to drop”.
What Could the 80/20 Split Mean? Fans Speculate
While Speed has not confirmed any specific countries, the 80/20 split has fans guessing. Here's what those percentages could mean based on typical DNA results for African Americans:
The 80% African Ancestry
This is the vast majority of his heritage. For most African Americans, this ancestry traces back to regions involved in the transatlantic slave trade. The most common regions include:
- West Africa: This is often the largest component, with countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone frequently appearing.
- West-Central Africa: This region is also a primary source, including areas like Cameroon, the Congo, and Angola.
It's very likely Speed's 80% is a combination of several of these West and West-Central African regions.
The 20% European Ancestry
The 20% European finding, while shocking to Speed, is actually very common. Studies show that many African Americans have, on average, between 20-25% European ancestry. This could come from:
- Great Britain/Ireland: English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry are among the most common European ancestries found in African Americans.
- Portugal: The joke about him being a "Ronaldo cousin" points to this, and it remains a possibility.
- France or Germany: These are also common results that pop up in DNA tests for Americans.
This is all just speculation, which is why fans are so desperate for the "ending" of this story.