Senegalese-American singer and music executive Akon has revealed why he decided to sign Nigerian superstar Wizkid in 2008, saying he recognised the young artist’s exceptional talent and believed he could help introduce Nigerian music to a global audience.
Speaking during a recent interview, Akon said he met Wizkid when the singer was still a teenager and was immediately impressed by his distinctive voice, songwriting ability and star potential. According to him, Wizkid became the first Nigerian artist he worked with as part of a broader plan to take African music beyond the continent.
Akon explained that, at the time, Nigerian music was largely confined to local audiences despite its rich sound and creativity. He said his team worked with Banky W to refine the music for international markets by blending traditional Afrobeats with more commercially appealing production, helping to create what later became known globally as Afropop.
The music star also claimed that after collaborating with Wizkid, his team went on to support other Nigerian acts, including P-Square, as part of efforts to expand the global reach of African music. He maintained that these early collaborations helped lay the foundation for Afrobeats’ international success, although his comments have sparked debate among fans over the extent of his role in the genre’s rise.
Akon praised Nigerian artists for their creativity and resilience, expressing pride in how Afrobeats has grown into one of the world’s most influential music genres. He added that seeing artists like Wizkid achieve global recognition remains one of the most rewarding aspects of his involvement in Africa’s music industry.
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