- Akon’s Claim: Akon claims to have played a key role in the rise of Afrobeats through collaborations with Nigerian artists in the late 2000s.
- Collaborations: Akon worked with artists like Wizkid, Banky W, PSquare, and D’banj, and credits himself with shaping the Afrobeats sound.
- Controversy: Many Nigerians have disputed Akon’s claims, arguing that he overstated his influence and attempted to rewrite the genre’s history.
- Afrobeats’ Origins: Some point out that Afrobeats was already gaining momentum in Nigeria before Akon’s involvement, with artists like PSquare and D’banj already making waves in African music.
- Global Success: Despite the controversy, Afrobeats continues to gain international recognition, with top artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido performing globally and dominating charts.
Akon’s claim that he played a key role in the rise of Afrobeats has sparked controversy among Nigerians. The Senegalese-American singer credits himself with shaping the genre’s early development through collaborations with prominent Nigerian artists in the late 2000s. Akon mentioned working with Wizkid, Banky W, PSquare, and D’banj, stating that what they created in Nigeria is what is now known as Afrobeats.
However, many Nigerians have pushed back against Akon’s claims, arguing that he overstated his influence and attempted to rewrite the genre’s history. Some pointed out that Afrobeats was already gaining momentum in Nigeria before Akon’s involvement, with artists like PSquare and D’banj already making waves in African music.
Key Points of Contention:
- Akon’s Role: Akon claims to have played a pivotal role in creating Afrobeats, while many Nigerians believe his contribution has been exaggerated.
- Origin of Afrobeats: Some users distinguished between “Afrobeat,” pioneered by Fela Kuti in the 1960s, and “Afrobeats,” a genre shaped by Nigerian and West African pop acts in the 2000s and 2010s.
- Timeline: Akon stated that he signed Wizkid in 2008, but some critics argue that Wizkid was already active in the music scene before that.
Despite the backlash, Afrobeats continues to soar globally, with top artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido performing at major events and dominating international charts .
