Senegalese-American singer and music executive Akon has opened up about his significant influence in the birth and global evolution of the Afrobeats genre, revealing that Wizkid was the first artiste to be signed to his record label.
He also talked about how his early collaborations with Nigerian artists laid the foundation for what is now one of the world’s most celebrated music movements.
In a recent interview with American talk show host Sherri, the Konvict Muzik boss traced his involvement in African music back to the late 2000s, a period he describes as pivotal to the emergence of the Afrobeats sound. According to him, his work with Nigerian acts at the time helped shape the genre before it became a global phenomenon.
“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 now and hear now as Afrobeats,” Akon said.
The international music star revealed that Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist signed under his label, years before the world came to know him as one of Africa’s biggest music exports.
“Wizkid was the first [Nigerian] artiste 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.”
Beyond his influence on Afrobeats, Akon also reflected on his broader role as a bridge between Africa and the global music scene. He believes his journey was divinely orchestrated to help elevate the continent’s talent.
“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 for that.”
Akon’s statement is the latest in a growing list of testimonies from African and diaspora artists recognizing the early struggles and milestones that paved the way for Afrobeats’ international success. Today, the genre stands tall on global charts, stages, and award platforms.
