Akon Claims Role in the Rise of Afrobeats

Senegalese-American music star Akon has opened up about what he believes was a significant contribution to the evolution of Afrobeats, the infectious genre that has become a dominant force in global pop music. Known for international hits like “Smack That” and “Lonely,” Akon says his early involvement with Nigerian artists helped shape the sound that would go on to define a generation of African music.

During a recent appearance on Sherri, a talk show hosted by American actress and comedian Sherri Shepherd, Akon looked back on the period following the release of his third studio album, Freedom, in 2008. The album marked the peak of his mainstream solo success, but shortly afterward, Akon began shifting his focus away from the spotlight and toward music development, particularly in Africa.

“After Freedom, I found myself spending a lot of time in Africa. I didn’t even realize how fast the years flew by,” he shared. “In 2010, I got involved with producing music for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. That experience reconnected me deeply with the continent.”

It was during this time that Akon traveled to Nigeria, where he says he began to see the potential of the local music scene. According to him, the fusion of Afrobeat rhythms with modern pop, R&B, and hip-hop elements was beginning to take form—and he was eager to contribute.

“What we created in Nigeria during that time laid the foundation for what the world now knows as Afrobeats,” Akon said confidently.

He went on to explain that one of his earliest and most important steps was signing a young Nigerian artist named Wizkid back in 2008. At the time, Wizkid was just an emerging act, working closely with fellow artist and label executive Banky W. Akon recognized his talent and saw the potential for Nigerian music to transcend its regional boundaries.

“Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist we officially signed. We collaborated with him and Banky W, and that opened the door to developing other major acts like PSquare and D’banj,” Akon explained. “We were blending sounds, styles, and cultures. It was an exciting moment.”

Though Afrobeats as a term and genre would later be popularized in the 2010s, Akon suggests that the groundwork was being laid years earlier, through creative exchanges between African artists and international collaborators. His efforts, along with those of the artists he supported, played a role in creating the framework for the genre’s global breakthrough.

Over the past decade, Afrobeats has exploded in popularity, becoming one of Africa’s most successful cultural exports. Artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and Tiwa Savage have gone on to perform at the world’s biggest festivals, win major international awards, and feature on Billboard charts. In 2023, the genre reached new heights, with Afrobeats artists headlining shows at Madison Square Garden, collaborating with global superstars, and earning Grammy recognition.

Despite the evolution of the sound and the increasing commercial attention it receives, Akon remains proud of the part he believes he played in the genre’s foundation. “It’s incredible to see how far it has come,” he said. “To know I had a hand in its early days, to support artists who are now global icons—it’s a blessing.”

As Afrobeats continues to evolve and influence the global soundscape, Akon’s early investments in African talent and his belief in the continent’s musical potential are being seen in a new light—perhaps not just as career choices, but as pivotal moves in the global spread of African music culture.