Senegalese-American singer Akon has claimed he played a pivotal role in transforming Nigerian superstar Wizkid from a local act into a global sensation.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Bagfuel Brigade podcast, Akon said he signed Wizkid to his label in 2008, during a period when he was actively investing in the Nigerian music scene and helping shape what is now known as the global Afrobeats movement.
“In 2008, I spent my time in Nigeria developing what you see today as Afrobeats,” Akon stated. “Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist we officially signed.
Before we got involved, he was just a local star.”
Akon also mentioned signing the musical duo P-Square, noting they were among the first Nigerian acts to gain international recognition under his guidance.
Reflecting on the evolution of Afrobeats, Akon credited his efforts in introducing structure and industry knowledge to the Nigerian music landscape.
“I brought the business side of music to Afrobeats,” he said. “Back then, the artists only understood the creative aspect.
There was no real infrastructure or business model.”
While he acknowledged the talent and contributions of Nigerian artists, Akon emphasized that without the foundational work he and his team did, the genre might not have reached its current global success.