Senegalese-American singer and producer Akon has boldly stated that he played a major role in shaping the Afrobeats genre into the global force it is today. Speaking on a recent episode of the Bagfuel Brigade podcast, Akon highlighted how he helped develop African talents and open international doors for them.
According to Akon, whose full name is Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, his work in Africa during the late 2000s and early 2010s laid the foundation for Afrobeats’ worldwide success.
The ‘Lonely’ hitmaker pointed out that he wasn’t just focused on music production but was also keen on helping artists see the business side of their careers. “I pushed a lot of stars to think beyond just the creative aspect,” he said. “They needed to understand the business behind the music.”
Akon went on to say that he was the first to sign Nigerian music icon Wizkid back in 2008. “Wizkid was just a local Nigerian star before we touched him. Signing him opened him up to a bigger market,” Akon revealed. He added that the success of Wizkid and other acts like P-Square, who were also signed to his label, helped give Afrobeats a wider international audience.
“Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist we signed officially,” he noted. “Then we went on to sign a group called P-Square, which became the first Nigerian group to make it internationally.”
Akon believes that without his early involvement, the genre might not have reached its current heights. “I wouldn’t want to take credit for all of it, but if we didn’t do what we did, Afrobeats would still be in the same position it was in 2008. That I can tell you 100 per cent,” he said confidently.
