After 23 Years In The US
OpenLife Nigeria reports that controversial Nigerian entertainer Speed Darlington has opened up about his long stay in the United States, admitting that the experience yielded little personal or financial reward.
According to the rapper, his 23 years in America were largely unproductive, with criminal records standing out as the most significant outcome of that chapter of his life.
Reflecting on his journey, Darlington compared his struggles abroad with the progress he has made since relocating to Nigeria.
He revealed that despite spending over two decades in the U.S., he returned home without any tangible achievements, while his career and finances flourished only after resettling in Nigeria.
In a recent video shared online, the entertainer disclosed that his confidence deteriorated significantly during his years in America, a situation he linked to the pressures and discrimination he experienced as a Black man.
He emphasized that the environment affected both his mental and emotional well-being.
Although he noted that he still has the freedom to travel to the United States, Speed Darlington stressed that he has no interest in living there permanently.
According to him, Nigeria has provided the recognition, confidence, and financial stability that America never did.
Speaking candidly, he said:
“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.”
He further explained the social pressure he felt while trying to fit in:
“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.”
Highlighting his financial breakthroughs in Nigeria, Speed Darlington credited his local income for building his mansion, noting that even viral controversies contributed to his progress:
“I love having access to the US anytime I want but my mansion money with swimming pool on top came from Nigerian. 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.”
BIOGRAPHY OF SPEED DARLINGTON
ORIGIN AND AGE
Speed Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Okoye, was born on March 13, 1984, in Nigeria. He is of Igbo descent and spent a significant portion of his early adulthood between Nigeria and the United States.
EARLY LIFE
Darlington moved to the United States at a young age, where he spent over two decades trying to find stability and purpose. His time abroad was marked by cultural struggles, social isolation, and repeated run-ins with law enforcement, experiences he has openly discussed in recent years.
CAREER AND DEBUT
Speed Darlington began his music career as an underground rapper, gradually gaining attention through social media due to his unconventional personality, outspoken views, and satirical content.
His debut tracks were largely experimental, but his viral presence helped him carve out a niche in Nigeria’s entertainment space.
He became widely known for his controversial statements, online rants, and public feuds, which kept him consistently in the spotlight. Despite criticism, his unapologetic style helped him build a loyal fan base.
RISE TO FAME AND CONTROVERSIES
Upon returning to Nigeria, Speed Darlington experienced a surge in relevance.
His music, online antics, and high-profile clashes with other entertainers, including his widely publicized fight with Portable, contributed significantly to his financial growth and visibility.
CURRENT PHASE OF HIS CAREER
Currently based in Nigeria, Speed Darlington enjoys a more comfortable and confident lifestyle. He has openly stated that Nigeria offers him a sense of belonging, cultural pride, and freedom that he never experienced in America. He continues to create music, engage fans online, and leverage controversy as part of his brand.
Speed Darlington’s story reflects a complex journey of migration, identity, and self-discovery. While his years in the United States were marked by hardship and disappointment, his return to Nigeria brought renewed confidence, financial success, and a sense of purpose. For the entertainer, home has proven to be the place where he truly thrives both personally and professionally.
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