Akon and His Addition to Afrobeats
Senegalese-American singer-songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur Akon recently made a contentious claim that he was instrumental to the creation of Afrobeats, the global musical movement that originated in West Africa. In a recent appearance on the American talk show Sherri, Akon – whose real name is Aliaune Thiam – discussed how he played a vital role in the formation of the genre in the early 2010s.
Many, especially Nigerians, believe that the “Smack That” singer is pushing a false narrative. Renowned Nigerian music producer ID Cabasa refuted Akon’s claim, stating that no single individual could rightfully take credit for the genre’s development.
This then raises the question: what exactly is Afrobeats? The genre is a form of modern West African pop music, having roots in Nigeria, Ghana, and the United Kingdom. It gained popularity in the late 2000s, and is characterised by rhythmic drumming, classic African melodies, and singing and rapping in regional West African dialects.
So, what style of music is Akon known for? The multihyphenate went mainstream in 2004 with hits like “Lonely” and “Locked Up”, from his debut album “Trouble”, though his passion for music began in childhood. His success continued into the 2010s with four additional albums, numerous features, and extensive work in production and songwriting across multiple genres. He also worked with Nigerian musicians such as Wizkid and Davido, artists who would later become significant figures in Afrobeats.
Interestingly, Akon has also made a solo foray into Afrobeats. His fifth album, Akonda, was released in October 2019 and featured Nigerian artists Olamide, Kizz Daniel, and Skales. The album was part of an ambitious four-album campaign, spanning Latin music, R&B/hip-hop, reggae, and Afrobeats, all to be released within a year, aimed at unveiling a record label and promoting world music.
While Akon’s impact on the music industry and his philanthropic efforts are well recognised, his claim of shaping Afrobeats remains a point of debate among industry experts and fans alike.