IShowSpeed — or Speed, as he’s commonly known — has built a devoted following on the strength of his manic energy, approachability, and willingness to go anywhere, do anything, on camera. The 20-year-old has 44.3 million subscribers on YouTube, more than 40 million on Instagram, and 2.3 million more on Twitch.

His format is simple: Land in a city, go live, and let chaos find him. It usually does.

But the havoc he leaves behind can have major consequences on those who lack the luxury of hopping on a PJ out of town. Among them are Axel Cisnerosmentos and Aron Anaya — the two Oakland residents facing charges for organizing a sideshow in his honor. Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson on Monday announced criminal charges against the men for organizing and facilitating an illegal sideshow for Speed’s visit.

Both men are scheduled to be arraigned May 27. If convicted, they face up to six months in jail. 

Speed’s visit to San Francisco in September drew flash mobs to Fisherman’s Wharf and tweens to Dolores Park. He got a personal tour of City Hall from Mayor Daniel Lurie, and City Attorney David Chiu took him to a local fire department. 

• Bay Area police seize $200,000 in illegal bikes after sideshow convoy crosses Bay Bridge

For those over 25, it was a confusing and perhaps frightening signal of how culture moves past you. But it was a life-changing moment for the thousands who came out to watch him.

In Oakland, things took a dramatic turn.

During his visit, Speed and his entourage were in a blacked-out Escalade, barrelling through downtown Oakland and livestreaming to tens of thousands of viewers.  

“I think they gonna do a sideshow for you haha,” the chat chimed in. 

The street energy that trailed Speed’s convoy curdled into something the Alameda County district attorney’s office couldn’t overlook. Nizar Khalid, 18, was also charged with reckless driving for allegedly performing doughnuts at an intersection near Speed’s route. 

During Speed’s cruise through Oakland, a camera panned to a silver BMW 535i parked sideways in an intersection, with a police cruiser pulled up tight behind it, lights flashing.

The streamer gestured toward the car. “Look, chat — them kids got in trouble. Y’all just got a ticket, bro. Y’all can’t be doing that!” 

The driver, unfazed, hollered back, asking Speed to cover the fine.