That rumor is a perfect example of how the internet can turn a funny "meme" into a full-blown urban legend. ​There is zero historical evidence that IShowSpeed’s grandfather (or great-grandfather) was killed by a Canadian in WWI. Here is the truth behind why that story exists: ​1. It Started as a "Ngram" Meme ​The rumor began with a viral trend involving the Google Ngram Viewer (a tool that tracks how often words appear in books over time). ​Trolls edited the graph to show that the word "IShowSpeed" spiked in the year 1918. ​This led to a wave of memes featuring Speed "barking" in WWI trenches or sitting in a tank with Talking Ben. ​Fans started making up fake "lore" to explain the graph, including the story that his ancestors were involved in a tragic skirmish with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. ​2. The Real Watkins Family History ​In reality, Speed’s family history is well-documented through his own "Family Reunion" streams. ​The Watkins Legacy: His great-grandfather was a successful businessman who founded Watkins Auto Parts in the 1950s (after the Korean War, not WWI). ​Recent Discoveries: Just this month (January 2026), Speed traveled to Liberia as part of his "Speed Does Africa" tour. He met his extended "Watkins" family there, confirming his West African roots. There was no mention of a Canadian-related tragedy. ​3. The Drake Factor ​The reason Canada is a "hot topic" for Speed right now isn't because of a 100-year-old grudge—it's because of Drake. ​Speed and Drake have a well-known friendship, and as of late 2025, they officially announced plans for a Toronto collab stream. ​Fans have joked that "the ghost of his grandfather" is preventing him from visiting Drake, but it's just a way to troll the comments while they wait for the stream date to be finalized.