Akon Reveals How He Helped Launch The Afrobeats Music Movemen

Renowned Senegalese-American musician Akon has revealed his significant contribution to the evolution of the Afrobeats music scene.

He stated that his involvement with Nigerian artists and producers during the late 2000s and early 2010s was instrumental in laying the groundwork for what is now globally recognized as Afrobeats.

As the founder of Konvict Muzik, Akon reminisced about his collaborative efforts with major Nigerian stars such as Wizkid, Banky W, P-Square, and D’banj, long before the genre achieved international acclaim through the ‘Afrobeats to the World’ wave.

During an interview on the Sherri show, Akon explained:

“2008 was the last time I released a studio album, titled Freedom. After that, I began producing music for the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. Following that project, I traveled to Nigeria. The sounds and collaborations we initiated in Nigeria at that time have become what is now celebrated worldwide as Afrobeats.”

He went on to recall signing Wizkid in 2008, marking the beginning of his work with Nigerian talents.

“Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist we officially signed. We collaborated with him and Banky W back in Nigeria. That phase marked the beginning of nurturing talents like P-Square, D’banj, and many others.”

Speaking about his role in expanding the global reach of African music, Akon shared his sense of purpose in the journey:

“It’s the mission that I believe God placed me on. I see myself as a vessel through which success flows to others. I may not know who exactly will benefit next, but every venture we’ve embarked on has yielded great success, and I remain grateful for that.”