“All I Got from America Was a Criminal Record”: Speed Darlington Opens Up About 23 Years Abroad and Why He Returned to Nigeria

Controversial Nigerian musician Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington or Akpi,  in a viral video reflected on his long experience living in the United States, and why he ultimately chose to return home. After over two decades abroad, the artist said America “did not favor” him, claiming the only lasting impact the country had on his life was a criminal record from multiple arrests rather than the prosperity many Nigerians hope to find overseas.

Speed Darlington explained that, despite having access to live and travel in the U.S., the environment undermined his mental health and self-esteem. He described feeling isolated and lonely, especially when interacting with people due to his Nigerian accent, and said life in America made him constantly question his adequacy and confidence.

Reflecting on his time abroad, the artist said his self-confidence was “in the gutter” and that prolonged stays led to feelings of isolation, which had a negative effect on his psychological wellbeing.

Speed Darlington bluntly stated that “arrest, arrest, arrest” was all he ultimately gained from his years in the U.S. While he didn’t provide details about specific convictions, his comments align with past admissions that he has faced numerous legal run-ins, including multiple arrests and detentions in Nigeria as well as issues related to his controversial public statements.

The rapper’s tumultuous legal history includes being arrested dozens of times and detained on several occasions, issues he has openly referenced in songs and social media posts. Some of these arrests have stemmed from public disputes, provocative content, and defiance of law enforcement actions both in the U.S. and Nigeria.

Contrary to his struggles in America, Speed Darlington emphasized that his financial achievements came from Nigeria, not the U.S. He noted that he built his mansion with a rooftop swimming pool using money earned in Nigeria. He also stressed that, despite the challenges of living abroad, he still keeps access to the U.S. to visit family occasionally, but he does not want to reside there permanently due to the mental and social pressures he experienced.

Speed Darlington’s remarks add to the broader discourse around “japa” cultur, the Nigerian slang for emigrating abroad in search of better opportunities—and the realities that many face when expectations don’t meet lived experiences. His story highlights the complex interplay between social identity, mental health, and the immigrant experience, pushing back against idealized narratives of life in the West.

His candid reflections are likely to resonate with many Nigerians and Africans who have pursued opportunities abroad only to find cultural barriers, loneliness, and systemic challenges that impact wellbeing.