Senegalese-American music mogul Akon has reignited debate in the global music scene after declaring that Nigerian superstar Wizkid was “just a local artist” before he signed and “brushed up” his career in 2008. Speaking on the Bagfuel Brigade podcast, Akon asserted that his intervention was pivotal not only for Wizkid’s rise but also for the global expansion of Afrobeats as a genre.
“In 2008, I spent my time in Nigeria developing what you see today as Afrobeats. And all of them can attest to it,” Akon said, emphasizing his early involvement in the Nigerian music industry. “Wizkid was the first [Nigerian] artist we signed officially at that time. And then we went on to sign a group called P-Square, which was the first [Nigerian] group that made it internationally. Wizkid was just the local Nigerian star before we touched him and it opened up to a bigger market. I wouldn’t want to take credit for all of it but I can tell you that if we didn’t do what we did, Afrobeats would still have been in the same position it was when we got there [Nigeria in 2008]. That I can tell you 100 percent.”
Akon went further to claim that he brought the “business side of music” to Afrobeats, stating, “All they [Nigerian artists at that time] knew about was the creative [side of music]. There was no business, no infrastructure, none of it attached to it.”
Akon’s comments have sparked widespread discussion among fans and industry observers. While it’s well-documented that Akon signed Wizkid to his Konvict Muzik label and collaborated with him and other Nigerian stars like P-Square and D’banj, many argue that Wizkid’s breakthrough came through his work with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), where he released his debut album Superstar in 2011 and later achieved international fame through collaborations with artists like Drake.
Industry analysts acknowledge Akon’s role in bridging African and Western music markets. “We helped build what you hear today,” Akon said in a separate interview, referencing his early work with Nigerian artists and his efforts to give African music a structured platform that could rival Western labels. However, some insiders remain skeptical about the extent of his influence, noting that Afrobeats’ global rise was also driven by local innovation, digital distribution, and strategic partnerships beyond Akon’s involvement.
Wizkid’s career trajectory supports both perspectives. After his early days recording music in Lagos, he signed with EME in 2009, released chart-topping singles, and eventually became the first Nigerian artist to top the US Billboard Hot 100 through his feature on Drake’s “One Dance.” He has since won Grammy awards and headlined international festivals, cementing his status as a global Afrobeats icon.
Akon’s latest remarks have reignited conversation about the origins and evolution of Afrobeats, the importance of international partnerships, and the recognition of African artists’ agency in their global success. As the genre continues to dominate charts worldwide, the debate over who deserves credit for its rise is likely to persist.
“I just feel like I am a beacon to somebody’s success. I don’t know who it is going to be, but everything we have touched so far has been really successful. And I’m appreciative for that,” Akon concluded.
