Senegalese-American singer, Akon, has stated that he played a significant role in the development of Afrobeats into its current global form.

In a recent interview with American actress Sherri Shepherd, Akon asserted that his contributions were crucial to the genre’s rise to international prominence.

Akon recalled that his collaborations with Nigerian artists in the late 2000s were instrumental in bringing international attention to Afrobeats.

Akon stated that Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist he signed, followed by work with Banky W. He also mentioned his involvement in the development of the now-defunct P-Square and D’banj.

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

“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.”

Akon’s claims contrast with statements made in August 2024 by Jamaican singer Buju Banton, who argued that Afrobeats is heavily influenced by reggae and dancehall. Banton also criticized Afrobeats for not addressing socio-political issues or uplifting the African people.

Afrobeats has gained substantial international recognition since the late 2000s, with increased collaborations between Nigerian artists and international stars like Kanye West and Rick Ross. More recently, artists such as Wizkid, Davido, Rema, and Burna Boy have further elevated Afrobeats on the global stage, achieving impressive streaming numbers and sold-out shows.

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