Senegalese-American singer Akon says he played a key role in the global rise of Afrobeats.
In a recent interview with Sherri Shepherd, Akon reflected on his early involvement in the genre’s evolution, emphasizing his collaborations with Nigerian artists in the late 2000s.
“I was in Africa and time just flew past,” Akon recalled, noting that 2008 marked the release of his last official album, Freedom.
Following that, he contributed music to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, then spent significant time in Nigeria, where he became immersed in what would later explode globally as Afrobeats.
Akon notably signed Wizkid in 2008 and collaborated with both Wizkid and Banky W. He also helped develop the careers of major African acts such as P-Square and D’banj, laying groundwork for the genre’s international appeal.
Today, Afrobeats stands as one of Africa’s most influential cultural exports. In 2023, it reached even greater global heights.
Top stars like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido headlined major festivals and events around the world, while consistently charting on international music platforms.
