Watch the Viral Ishowspeed Moments Breaking the Internet Right Now
Watkins launched his YouTube channel in 2016, but his meteoric trajectory started during the 2020 lockdowns. Early audiences caught him playing NBA 2K and shooting fiery reactions during competitive matches. His explosive, combustible reactions set him apart immediately. Whenever an in-game match went wrong, Watkins erupted. He smashed peripherals, barked directly into his webcam, and turned routine gameplay frustration into visceral performance art.
The IShowSpeed barking meme exploded in mid-2021, quickly becoming his signature calling card. Viewers flooded chat logs with requests for Watkins to bark at automated digital assistants, pets, and unsuspecting video-chat partners on Omegle. His erratic FIFA gameplay reactions cemented his early internet mythos. When he packed low-tier soccer cards, he shrieked in mock despair; when he pulled his idol, Portuguese soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo, Watkins wept, stripped off his jersey, and executed Ronaldo’s iconic "Siu" celebration across his bedroom floor. That theatrical devotion laid the groundwork for his eventual transition from domestic gaming screens to international stadiums.
