What we created in Nigeria is what you see and hear now – Akon claims major role in Afrobeats rise
Senegalese-American music icon Akon has opened up about his instrumental role in the early development of Afrobeats, the now-global genre that traces its roots to West Africa.
In a recent sit-down with American talk show host Sherri Shepherd, the “Locked Up” hitmaker reflected on his journey through Africa in the late 2000s, recalling how time slipped by while he immersed himself in the continent’s creative landscape.
“…I was in Africa and time just flew past. 2008 was my last official album, which was the ‘Freedom’ album,” Akon recounted.
His time in Africa included a significant milestone — producing music for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. But it was what followed that would mark a pivotal chapter in modern African music history.
“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 said.
Akon revealed that his label’s first major engagement in Nigeria was with none other than Wizkid, now one of the genre’s biggest global ambassadors.
“Wizkid was the first Nigerian artiste that we signed back in 2008. We went to work with him and Banky W in Nigeria,” he noted.
He added that his team didn’t stop there. They went on to support and help shape the careers of other Afrobeats pioneers. “From there, we just started developing artists like PSquare, Dbanj and others,” he said.
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