Akon Reflects on Michael Jackson Collaboration and Praises Nigeria’s Afrobeats Growth

Akon has described his experience working with the late pop icon Michael Jackson as the proudest moment of his music career.

Speaking on the We Need To Talk podcast, the “Oh Africa” hitmaker said the opportunity to collaborate with Jackson was deeply meaningful, noting that he still views himself as “a child” compared to the global music legend he grew up admiring.

“My photo with Michael Jackson is my proudest photo. I was already a full-blown celebrity at that point, but I am a child compared to this man,” Akon said.

He explained that meeting and working with Jackson was a dream come true, as the late singer remained an idol to many artists worldwide.

Beyond his personal reflections, Akon also spoke about his long-standing support for African music, highlighting his early involvement with Nigerian acts such as P-Square and Wizkid. He clarified, however, that Wizkid was not directly signed to him but was associated through Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment.

Akon also praised Nigeria’s contribution to global music culture, describing Nigerians as highly intelligent and crediting them for the global rise of Afrobeats.

“Nigerians are the most intelligent people on the planet. They have done amazingly well with Afrobeats,” he added.

Opinion

Akon’s comments reflect the strong historical bridge between African artists and global pop music. His early support for Afrobeats helped open doors at a time when the genre was still developing its international reach.

Today, Afrobeats stands as a global force, and artists like Wizkid and P-Square have become central figures in that expansion. Akon’s acknowledgment highlights how collaboration and mentorship played a role in shaping that growth.

His reflection on Michael Jackson also underscores a common theme in music history: even the biggest stars often have their own idols, showing how influence passes from one generation to the next.