Senegalese-American singer Akon has credited himself with playing a pivotal role in the international breakthrough of Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Wizkid and the genre’s global success.
In a recent episode of the Bagfuel Brigade podcast, Akon stated that he signed Wizkid to his record label in 2008, helping to transition the artist from a local act in Nigeria to a global sensation. He also emphasized his broader influence in shaping Afrobeats by introducing key artists to international markets and developing music infrastructure in Nigeria.
“Wizkid was just the local Nigerian star before we touched him and it opened up to a bigger market,” Akon claimed. “I wouldn’t want to take credit for all of it, but I can tell you that if we didn’t do what we did, Afrobeats would still have been in the same position it was when we got there in 2008.”
He added, “In 2008, I spent my time in Nigeria developing what you see today as Afrobeats. Wizkid was the first artist we signed officially. Then we signed a group called P-Square, which was the first Nigerian group that made it internationally.”
Akon asserted that prior to his involvement, the Nigerian music industry lacked a structured business model. “All they knew about was the creative [side of music]. There was no business, no infrastructure,” he said.
While his comments have stirred mixed reactions online, many acknowledge Akon’s early collaborations with African artists during the genre’s formative years.
