Senegalese-American singer Akon has stirred conversation online with his latest remarks about Nigerian music superstar Wizkid. In a recent interview, Akon claimed that before his team stepped in, Wizkid was primarily a local artist in Nigeria.
“He was just a local Nigerian star until we touched him and opened him up to a bigger market,” Akon said, referencing the early 2010s when international collaborations helped boost Afrobeats’ global recognition.
The comment has sparked mixed reactions from fans—some crediting Akon for helping globalize African music, while others defend Wizkid’s organic rise and talent as key to his international success.