I helped create Afrobeat – Akon

Senegalese-American artist Akon has claimed a significant role in the emergence of Afrobeats, the globally acclaimed genre rooted in West Africa.

During a recent appearance on Sherri Shepherd’s talk show, the ‘Smack That’ hitmaker spoke about his early contributions to the genre’s evolution, citing his work with Nigerian stars in the late 2000s as instrumental in shaping its sound.

“I was in Africa and time just flew. My last official album was ‘Freedom’ in 2008,” Akon said. “Then I moved on to producing music for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. After that, I went to Nigeria, and what we created there eventually became what people now call Afrobeats.”

He recalled signing Wizkid in 2008 and collaborating with him and Banky W. “That’s when things started taking off. We also began working with artists like PSquare, Dbanj, and others.”

Afrobeats has since become one of Africa’s biggest cultural exports. In 2023, the genre soared to new global heights, with superstars like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido making waves on international stages and topping global charts.