NewStats: 3,261,632 , 8,174,568 topics. Date: Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 08:45 PM 141ng

‘What is Akon saying?’ Nigerians slam singer for claiming creation of Afrobeats

Senegalese-American singer Akon has stirred controversy online after stating that he played a major role in the rise of Afrobeats, the globally celebrated music genre that originated from West Africa.

While the artiste credits himself with shaping the early stages of Afrobeats through collaborations with Nigerian stars, many Nigerians aren’t having it.


In a recent interview with American talk show host and actress Sherri Shepherd, the ‘Smack That’ star reflected on his influence in the genre’s development, citing his work in the late 2000s with Nigerian acts like Wizkid, PSquare, and D’banj.

“…I was in Africa and time just flew past. 2008 was my last official album, which was the ‘Freedom’ album,” Akon recounted. “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.”

He continued, “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.”

While Akon’s statements may have been intended to highlight his for African music, his remarks were met with swift backlash on Nigerian social media, where s accused him of overstating his influence and attempting to rewrite the genre’s history.

“He needs to shut up 🤣🤣 Akon lies effortlessly just like Shaq!” wrote @Loadedbrodah on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Akon just wants to rewrite the history of Afrobeats lol,” added @Ms_Fej.

@paul_osigbemhe1 challenged Akon’s timeline and role, saying, “Akon did not open doors for Nigeria 🇳🇬 musics and he should stop seeing himself as the pioneer of Afrobeats. Way back in the 2000s — 2003, 04, 05 — Psquare, D’banj, and a host of others were already a formidable force in African music before I even knew Akon was from Senegal.”

Another critic, @Bisping_Chad, pointed out inconsistencies: “When Wizkid come out wey u sign am 2008. Akon Dey lie for dis one or maybe he missed the year. Psquare rejected the contract he was offering them.”

Others dismissed his claims entirely. “Anyone would be silly to take Akon serious,” wrote @KirkHammettR.

“Since man stopped making music, he’s settled for clout chasing, causing dramas in the African music scene and wearing Fugazzis. Afrobeats been banging before you came into the scene, local and international. You didn’t elevate no one.”

Some s also made the important distinction between “Afrobeat,” pioneered by Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti in the late 1960s, and the newer “Afrobeats,” a genre shaped by Nigerian and West African pop acts in the 2000s and 2010s.

“This is big CAP,” said @Shirex_. “Afrobeat was pioneered by Fela Kuti… Akon, while influential in promoting African music through his productions and collaborations, did not create Afrobeat but contributed to its modern popularity.”

Despite the criticism, Afrobeats continues to soar on the global stage.

In 2023, the genre reached new heights of international acclaim, with top artistes like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido performing at major global events and dominating international charts.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/what-is-akon-saying-nigerians-slam-singer-for-claiming-creation-of-afrobeats/#google_vignette

That Davido of a boy did more for the promotion of Afrobeats in the western world than anybody else.

Davido was buying the latest iPhone for air. club DJ's and Radio DJ's nationwide to play his songs in clubs and on air. As more people heard, the music spread and the curiosity became an obsession for Nigerian hip-hop...because that was what we called the music until about 2018-2019.


He really put in the underground leg work. And once that ceiling was broken...theyball started selling out large arenas compared to the Nigerian nite clubs and small venues that they used to play in when they performed abroad.

Wizkid was already an international superstar when Akon had a deal with him.

The NCC legislation that placed a prioty for local content on media stations, the proliferation of the internet, the advent of monetized online music streaming platforms and available funds for a lot of young creative guys to buy studio recording equipment to make music instead of relying on Kennis Music and a very few others for a contract are factors that all contributed in different ways to make the music popular.

As for Akon, he jumped on a steady moving train, he did not start the train. He did not create Nigerian Hip Hop now known as Afrobeats .

The likes of Junior and Pretty, of the early 90's Remedies of the late 90's were some of the early pioneers of this Afrobeats known then as Naija Hip Hop.

Juju, Highlife,Fuji, Apala, Waka,Raeggae and Fela's original Afrobeats were the mainstream music genres available before the advent of Naija Hip Hop.

I'll suggest and I believe that it is in use already to call the genre "Afro-Pop" to eliminate the confusion and preserve the legacy of Fela's Afrobeat.

TouchNfollow:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/what-is-akon-saying-nigerians-slam-singer-for-claiming-creation-of-afrobeats/#google_vignette

was he speeking in his DIALECTS? \SENEGALEESE/FRENCH?

otipoju:
That Davido boy did more for the promotion of Afrobeats in the western world than anybody.

Davido was buying the latest iPhone for air. club DJ's and Radio DJ's nationwide to play his songs in clubs and on air. As more people heard, the music spread.

He really put in the underground leg work.

Wizkid was already an international superstar when Akon had a deal with him.

The internet, online music streaming platforms and available funds for a lot of young guys to buy recording equipment to make music instead of relying on Kennis Music abd a very few others are what made the music popular.

Akon jumped on a moving train, he did not start the train. The likes of Junior and pretty, Remedies,Alex O Alex Zitto wete the early pioneers of this Afrobeats.

Juju, Highlife,Fuji, Apala and Felas original Afrobeats were the mainstream.music genres available

oga let us give akon the flowers, he actually promoted Afro beat in USA.. WIzkid was only known in Africa, it wa Akon that pushed Wizkid in USA, When the Nigerian Artist featured him, that is how they are well known in USA.. Internet dont forget.Akon actually promoted afro beat in USA

Let me summarise for lazy readers.

Senegalese-American singer Akon stirred controversy by claiming he played a major role in the rise of Afrobeats through early collaborations with Nigerian artists like Wizkid, PSquare, and D’banj, suggesting their work together helped shape the genre. However, many Nigerians disagreed, saying these artists were already successful before Akon's involvement and accused him of exaggerating his influence and trying to rewrite history. Critics also clarified the difference between “Afrobeat,” created by Fela Kuti, and the modern “Afrobeats,” which grew from Nigerian pop in the 2000s, crediting local talents—not Akon—for its global success.

alimiadedayo1:

oga let us give akon the flowers, he actually promoted Afro beat in USA.. WIzkid was only known in Africa, it wa Akon that pushed Wizkid in USA, When the Nigerian Artist featured him, that is how they are well known in USA.. Internet dont forget.Akon actually promoted afro beat in USA

As at 2014, the African song that was well known in USA was Tuface's African Queen.


The Afrobeats popularity on the scale it is is today is a combination of the heavy unknown groundwork of Davido on the streets of USA, proliferation and popularity of streaming and social media platforms and the sheer volume and quality of the sounds themselves...and then g on to the major US record labels that can push songs and sign you up for shows.

As at 2014, Wizkid and Davido no dey popular for USA. Shebi na song wey dem play for Radio Station or Clubs dem go hear in the first place.

I am not a Davido fan but that buy gifted so many DJ'S and OAP the latest Iphones of that any year to promote songs.


Even the Government directive to radio and tv stations to play local content more than foreign content laid a solid foundation that anything could be built upon.

As at 11 years ago, nobody sabi wizkid and davido beyond African populace for US.

Truth is bitter...

But deep down,you and I know Akon paved the way for the global breakthrough of afrobeats.

🫤

Akon e be like say you dey on colos

We don't care

Na today una know say Akon na big Linus Mba wey him city wey him dey build for Africa

the number of abuse he will receive because of this.....

You cannot be arguing with everyone. Afrobeat went global because it was accepted in the western world. The west practically runs this world and if they accept you, everyone else will. Akon played a significant role in making afrobeat go global.

Give it to Akon, he did alot to promote afrobeat in the world stage

Akoni Akon

Freedom of speech...!

He is entitled to say and claim whatever he wants.

Besides, I don't understand why some of you Nigerians are always up in arms online over any small thing.

Una too get time...!

If they ask una to clearly show us the Nigerian that invented Afrobeats, una no go fit o.

D guy just wants to make headlines

otipoju:



As at 2014, the African song that was well known in USA was Tuface's African Queen.


The Afrobeats popularity on the scale it is is today is a combination of the heavy unknown groundwork of Davido on the streets of USA, proliferation and popularity of streaming and social media platforms and the sheer volume and quality of the sounds themselves...and then g on to the major US record labels that can push songs and sign you up for shows.

As at 2014, Wizkid and Davido no dey popular for USA. Shebi na song wey dem play for Radio Station or Clubs dem go hear in the first place.

I am not a Davido fan but that buy gifted so many DJ'S and OAP the latest Iphones of that any year to promote songs.


Even the Government directive to radio and tv stations to play local content more than foreign content laid a solid foundation that anything could be built upon.

As at 11 years ago, nobody sabi wizkid and davido beyond African populace for US.

Hmmm,na iPhone Davido used promote Afro beats😔

Okay o. Make Una sha promote me first.

Akon na boss ooo!

I blame Yoruba ronu for this

alimiadedayo1:

oga let us give akon the flowers, he actually promoted Afro beat in USA.. WIzkid was only known in Africa, it wa Akon that pushed Wizkid in USA, When the Nigerian Artist featured him, that is how they are well known in USA.. Internet dont forget.Akon actually promoted afro beat in USA

You seem to be right. Akon take your flowers.
People except him to start with history of afrobeats from time of Fela.

Davido, Wizkid, Niniola, yes Niniola should be given the credit.

Niniola took afro beat to South Africa which they embraced

😂

Some of you are not getting it. The guy is right if he said that he promoted afro beat to the western world. He didn't say he started afro beat. He only marketed it.
Not only him sef. Even drake helped in pushing our beat to the west. Including chris brown(all his collaborations with davido).

He helped sha. I when we all went crazy when he featured in Nigerian songs. Akon was really big back then

TouchNfollow:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/what-is-akon-saying-nigerians-slam-singer-for-claiming-creation-of-afrobeats/#google_vignette

Akon that was busy with Locked down

This Akon is not even Afrobeat singer!! Google go help who dey doubt.

Why you go dey claim who you no be.

Search Akon, Wizkid, Davido and others, you go see their genre no be by interview oo. Let's give credit to Tu baba, P Square, Don Jazzy, Wizzy and Davido for promoting Afro to the world

COMRADES, I may somewhat disagree with Akon because, before he came to Nigeria in 2008 for the promotion of the Afrobeats music, Donjazzy and Kennies have already taken the music to the global scene

Akon ft the greatest musician of all time in person of Jackson mk wizkid and others rest

TouchNfollow:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/what-is-akon-saying-nigerians-slam-singer-for-claiming-creation-of-afrobeats/#google_vignette

Everyone knows Akon as a habitual liar and undercover con-artist