In September 2022, a clip featuring YouTube streamer Darren “IShowSpeed” went viral as he reacted to the catchy tune “Sunshine, Rainbow, White Pony” by Chinese pop sensation Wowkie Zhang. In an exciting twist, Darren had the opportunity to meet Zhang in Changsha during his streaming tour in China, culminating in a live performance of the hit song that captivated a live audience.
Wowkie Zhang, also recognized as Da Zang Wei, had previously teased this exciting collaboration, generating considerable buzz around the event with IShowSpeed, who has gained remarkable popularity during his time in China.
Throughout his two-week sojourn in the country, Darren has taken China by storm, appearing on the trending pages of various Chinese social media platforms and even being showcased on a towering 120-meter Ferris wheel in Chongqing.
During the live performance, Zhang invited Speed to lead the chorus of “Sunshine, Rainbow, White Pony,”which includes the Chinese term nèi ge (那个), meaning “that one”or “that.”This part of the song has recently become a focal point in meme culture, particularly due to its phonetic resemblance to an English racial slur.
As Zhang danced gracefully on stage, Speed took the opportunity to engage the audience, encouraging Zhang to join him in the performance. He humorously questioned his co-performer’s silence:
“Sing it! Sing it!.. Sing it Da Zang Wei! Why is he not singing?”
Despite the momentary uncertainty, the atmosphere was filled with joy and camaraderie once the performance wrapped up. Reflecting on his long-standing connection to Zhang’s hit, Speed expressed his excitement:
“Let’s get it, Da Zang Wei! We finally did it together.”
IShowSpeed Signals the End of His China Tour
Timestamp – 5:56:36
Following his joyful encounter with Wowkie Zhang, IShowSpeed settled back into his vehicle, where he shared some reflections with his audience about the conclusion of his Chinese tour:
“This may be the last stream in China… obviously we’re going to meet the other final boss, I’m not gon’ say no names.”
However, it appears that Darren’s Asian adventure isn’t over just yet. He hinted at what he termed a “final boss,”suggesting possible plans for another tour, potentially in Mongolia, which was originally on his itinerary following China.
Ultimately, IShowSpeed left his fans optimistic about the future, contemplating an extension of his stay to explore a few more cities:
“This was great.. I’m going to make my decision after the stream if I’m going to do a couple more cities. I may extend it for like one or two cities.”
In related news, fellow IRL Twitch streamer “JakenbakeLIVE”addressed emerging rumors that IShowSpeed’s tour in China was somehow coordinated by governmental entities to resonate with young Western audiences.