“I Helped Shape Afrobeats”—Akon Says He Discovered Wizkid and Opened Doors for the Genre’s Global Rise

Senegalese-American singer and entrepreneur Akon has stirred up conversation across social media following claims that he played a “key role” in both Wizkid’s international success and the global rise of Afrobeats.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Bagfuel Brigade podcast, Akon declared that “Wizkid was just a local Nigerian star before we touched him”, claiming his 2008 involvement in Nigeria’s music scene helped shape what Afrobeats has become today.

“Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist we signed officially… And then we signed P-Square. What you see today as Afrobeats wouldn’t have happened the same way if we didn’t do what we did,” he stated confidently.

🌍 Akon’s Claims: A Boost or an Overshadowing of African Artistry?

Akon’s remarks walk a fine line between acknowledgement and appropriation. There’s no denying that his global status in the late 2000s gave Afrobeats some international exposure, and yes, artists like P-Square and Wizkid did benefit from collaborations with him.

However, the narrative that Afrobeats “would still be in the same position” without him comes across as overreaching, especially when many Nigerian artists had already built strong regional fanbases and were pioneering the sound independently. Artists like 2Baba, D’Banj, and Don Jazzy were already laying global groundwork.

Moreover, while Akon may have brought “the business side” to the table, the Nigerian music industry has long been rich with entrepreneurs, creatives, and grassroots strategies that innovatively navigated a lack of infrastructure.

🎤 Wizkid's Journey: A Starboy on His Own Path

Though Akon’s label did reportedly sign Wizkid, there's little public record of any releases under Konvict Music. Wizkid's global breakout came through Banky W's EME Records, followed by international collaborations like “One Dance” with Drake—which shot him into mainstream Western markets.

Wizkid himself has rarely mentioned Akon as a pivotal figure in his rise, often giving credit to his early team, his Nigerian fanbase, and peers within the local scene. His 2011 hit “Holla at Your Boy” and debut album "Superstar" had already made him a national icon before any U.S. exposure.

💬 Online Reactions: Mixed Feelings Across the Afrobeats Community

Akon’s comments have sparked a wave of mixed reactions. Some fans acknowledge his role in creating a bridge between African and American music markets, while others accuse him of revisionist history—minimizing the groundwork laid by local legends and fans who supported Afrobeats from day one.

“Wizkid was already a king in Nigeria before Akon came into the picture,” one fan tweeted.
“Give him some flowers, yes, but don’t rewrite the whole garden,” said another.

✊🏽 Opinion: The Story of Afrobeats Deserves Nuance

It’s important to recognize everyone who contributed to the growth of Afrobeats—Nigerian artists, producers, promoters, fans, and even international collaborators like Akon. But suggesting that the genre wouldn’t have evolved without his involvement erases the powerful grassroots movement that birthed and sustained it.

Akon’s role? Influential.
Wizkid’s growth? Invaluable.
Afrobeats' success? A collective victory led by Africans, for the world.

What are your thoughts? Was Akon being honest or overstating his impact?

Join the conversation with #AkonOnAfrobeats, #RespectWizkid, and #AfrobeatsToTheWorld.