Senegalese-American singer, Akon, has spoken about how he contributed to the creation of the Afrobeats genre.
He claimed that his collaborations and partnerships with Nigerian artists and music executives in the late 2000s to 2010s gave birth to what is now known as Afrobeats.
The Konvict Muzik boss recalled working with Wizkid, Banky W, P-Square, D’banj, and other Nigerian musicians years before the ‘Afrobeats to the World’ movement gained momentum.
“2008 was my last official album, which was the ‘Freedom’ album. And then I was producing the music for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. From there, I went to Nigeria. What we created in Nigeria was what you see and hear now as Afrobeats.
“Wizkid was the first [Nigerian] artist that we signed back in 2008. We went to work with him and Banky W in Nigeria. From there, we just started developing artists like PSquare, Dbanj, and others.”
Akon
On his role as one of the pioneering modern pop stars from Africa who brought the continent’s music to the global stage, the Senegalese singer said, “It [opening the global door for African music] is the role God put me in.”
“I just feel like I am a beacon to somebody’s success. I don’t know who it is going to be, but everything we have touched so far has been really successful. And I’m appreciative of that.”
Akon
Akon Recalls First Time Leaving Senegal
The Senegalese-American singer got personal about his journey from the small village of Kawak to becoming a global superstar.
“I just feel blessed every single day I wake up,” Akon shared. “Only because I knew how it used to be versus how it is now.”
Reflecting on his earliest memories, Akon confessed he had no idea what America even was when he was growing up. “The concept of the United States wasn’t even in my mind,” he said. “I just know I was a young kid from Kawak… and one day I’m on a plane, which I thought was a metal bird.”
His first flight was filled with fear.
“I was fighting everybody, thinking I was actually going into an actual bird. Imagine coming from horses and carriages to an airplane flying in the air.”
Akon
The culture shock didn’t end there. Landing in New York, he saw buildings that “reach the sky” and couldn’t believe his eyes. “I thought I died and went to heaven,” he said. “I had never seen anything like that before.”
Even his first meal in America left a mark. “Frosted Flakes. The most delicious cereal. That was my first meal,” he recalled, smiling.
These experiences, the Senegalese-American singer explained, have deeply shaped his mission in life.
“I don’t think God put me on this earth to just sing and dance. There has to be something bigger.”
Akon
For Akon, that “something bigger” is giving back to Africa. Through his Konfidence Foundation, he’s helped remodel schools, install air conditioning, and build playgrounds in rural areas. The efforts then expanded to providing electricity.
Akon Reacts to Gen Z Mistaking Him for a New Artist
Akon is riding a new wave, and Gen Z is leading the charge. The hitmaker revealed how younger fans are just discovering his music, and some even think he’s a new artist.
“I went on this show called ‘On the Radar’ where younger artists perform. After I did ‘Locked Up’, I was reading the comments. Somebody wrote, ‘Yo, he’s up next!’ It was the funniest thing. Some of them actually had no idea who I was — but it was dope to see how they received it.”
Akon
Akon’s music has been enjoying a renaissance on platforms like TikTok, with songs like ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Never Really Mattered’ making viral rounds. “That’s probably the best feeling I’ve had,” he admitted.
He’s not stopping there. Akon is venturing into country music, remixing his classics with a Southern twist. “We’re doing all the classics in country,” he said. Asked how ‘Smack That’ would sound as a country track, he teased, “That might be more of a honky-tonk version.”
Akon has new album is finally on the way. “It’s been at least 10 years,” he confirmed. “What took so long? Man, I was in Africa. Time just flew past.”
Despite the time away, Akon said he’s returning to music with more purpose and excitement than ever. “To still be embraced by a whole new generation? That’s a blessing.”
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