Nigerian controversial rapper, Speed Darlington recently opened up about his struggles in the United States, stating that America didn’t favor him and he ended up with criminal records instead of success. He attributed his mental health issues and loneliness to his time in the country saying it damaged his self-esteem and made simple interactions, like talking to women, difficult due to his accent.
“America did not favor me. I have access to the USA but I don’t want to be there all the time. America no favor me and I’m not ashamed to say it. The only thing I have is criminal records, arrest, arrest, arrest, arrest is all I got from the USA. So, after 23 years, I told myself it’s better for me to have access to America. I can go whenever I want to see my family for maybe 10 days, one week or 4 days, and I will turn around and return. Because American society is not conducive for my mental and physical well-being. In America, my self confidence is in the gutter. I can’t even talk to girls, I lack confidence whenever I’m in America. I’m always lonely. If I spend 9 months or two years, I will be lonely throughout, which means endless masturbation. It gets tiring.
If I want to talk to a girl, firstly I’m worried about my accent. Is she going to laugh at me? Am I adequate? American society has an atmosphere where a black man is nothing and he has to over prove himself before he can get any respect. This is not how I want to live my life. While here I amount to something. Everybody is black and dark skinned. All these things are what I’m thinking.
Speed Darlington also mentioned that his financial breakthrough came from Nigeria, specifically from a boxing match with fellow singer Portable, which helped him build his house.
“That fight I had with Portable was how I finished my mansion decking. That money helped me very well. That fight did not take place in Las Vegas, it took place in Lagos, Nigeria. It is better to be in a forest climbing trees and be free than to be in a center of everything and being caged. I did not leave America with money.”
Speed Darlington also known as Akpi is currently on NAPTIP’s watchlist due to allegations of rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking, and has been accused of having sexual relations with a minor.
