IShowSpeed Named Rolling Stone’s Most Influential Creator of 2025

IShowSpeed

Popular streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed, has been ranked No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s Most Influential Creators of 2025 list.

The list, released on August 26, features 25 standout creators across YouTube, TikTok, podcasting, and other platforms. While it includes well-known figures like Kai Cenat, MrBeast, Hasan Piker, Ms. Rachel, and VTuber Ironmuse, Speed secured the top spot.

Rolling Stone described him as a creator who simply "never turns the camera off." From streaming video games to traveling worldwide, his content blends humor, chaos, and genuine fan connection. The magazine highlighted how he turned a childhood nickname into an empire that stretches far beyond gaming.

IShowSpeed’s reach is massive. He has nearly 40 million followers on Instagram and more than 43 million subscribers on YouTube. Beyond gaming, he’s known for livestreaming meetups with sports stars, filming music videos, and even managing chaotic encounters with massive crowds during his global tours.

The magazine explained that its ranking process involved using data from CreatorIQ, which analyzed audience growth, engagement, and overall influence. Combined with editorial judgment, the final list represents the creators shaping digital culture in 2025.

Currently, Speed is on a 35-day nonstop livestream tour across the United States. The project, branded as “SPEED DOES AMERICA,” streams entirely on his YouTube channel.