Akon claims he helped shape modern Afrobeats around 2008, saying he worked with early Nigerian stars like Wizkid, Banky W, P-Square, and D’banj, and even signed Wizkid under Konvict Muzik. He also says he introduced more global structure to the industry and influenced how Afrobeats expanded internationally.
However, the claim is controversial because Afrobeats was already growing through Nigerian artists, producers, and labels before his involvement. While Akon is credited with helping push the sound globally, he is not widely accepted as a creator of the genre.
Akon has made headlines for saying he played a major role in shaping modern Afrobeats during his time in Nigeria around 2008. He claims he helped develop the sound, signed early stars like Wizkid, and introduced global business structure into the Nigerian music scene. His statements have sparked debate because many credit Afrobeats to a wider group of Nigerian pioneers.
This article breaks down what Akon said, the artists he mentioned, and why his claims remain disputed.
What did Akon say about developing Afrobeats?
Akon said he spent time in Nigeria around 2008 helping shape what is now called Afrobeats and contributed to its global rise.
He explained that after releasing his Freedom album and working on projects linked to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, he spent time in Nigeria working with local musicians. He claimed he influenced how artists approached international music markets and industry structure.
He also said he introduced business direction at a time when many Nigerian artists focused mainly on sound and performance rather than global expansion.
One of his strongest claims was that Afrobeats today would not be what it is without his involvement.
Which Nigerian artists did Akon say he worked with?
He mentioned Wizkid, Banky W, P-Square, and D’banj as artists he worked with during that period.
- Wizkid — described as a young local artist at the time
- Banky W — early label executive and artist
- P-Square — twin duo Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye
- D’banj — one of the early international breakout Afrobeats stars
According to Akon, this was during a key phase when Nigerian music was beginning to gain global attention.
Did Akon sign Wizkid to Konvict Muzik?
Akon says he signed Wizkid in 2008, but this claim is debated within the industry.
Akon stated that Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist signed under his label Konvict Muzik. He described Wizkid as a local talent who needed international development at the time.
However, other accounts often credit Wizkid’s early rise to Banky W’s EME label, which played a major role in his early career before his global breakthrough.
What did Akon say about P-Square’s international success?
Akon said P-Square were among the first Nigerian groups to gain international recognition and that he was involved in their rise.
He described P-Square as a key example of Nigerian music breaking into global markets. The duo, made up of Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, were already popular across Africa before wider international attention followed.
Akon said their success helped open doors for later Afrobeats artists to collaborate globally.
Did Akon create Afrobeats?
No, Afrobeats was not created by Akon.
The roots of modern Afrobeats trace back to earlier Nigerian music movements and especially the work of Fela Kuti, who pioneered Afrobeat in the 1970s. Modern Afrobeats later grew through artists in the 2000s and 2010s who blended pop, hip-hop, and African rhythms.
Akon’s involvement is generally viewed as part of the international growth phase, not the origin of the genre.
Why are Akon’s claims controversial?
Many agree he helped promote Afrobeats globally, but disagree that he played a central role in creating it.
Some believe Akon contributed by connecting Nigerian artists to international markets and introducing global music business structure.
Others argue Afrobeats was already growing strongly before his involvement, driven by local producers, labels, and artists building the sound independently.
There is also debate over specific claims, including Wizkid’s early signing history and the level of influence Konvict Muzik had in Nigeria at the time.
What is Akon’s main point about Afrobeats?
He believes he helped push Afrobeats from a local sound into global recognition.
His argument focuses on structure, branding, and international access. He says he helped Nigerian artists understand how to position their music for global audiences during a period when that system was still developing locally.
Related: Akon Claims Wizkid Was Writing Songs for Banky W at Age 14–15
Reported by Anything Celebrity – Nigeria’s hub for entertainment gist and celebrity updates.
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