Tag: Akon

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Akon Defends Ye After The Presidential Candidate’s Pro-Hitler Rant

Akon's Cryptocurrency Faces Legal Challenges
Akon. Image source: Getty/Daniele, Venturelli/Daniele, Venturelli/WireImage.

Surprisingly, Akon is defending Ye after an extraordinarily controversial and antisemitic week. Kanye West has been in the spotlight lately for some touchy remarks regarding Adolph Hitler and the Holocaust. 

During Alex Jones’ Infowars appearance, West claimed that “every human being has value…they brought to the table, especially Hitler.” Ye also claimed to “see good things about Hitler.” 

This rhetoric is highly dangerous, even to right-wing Alex Jones, who was caught off guard by West’s words. It appeared even Ye’s most loyal fans did not appreciate his views this week. 

However, some stand up for Ye, regardless of his new hobbies. 

Akon Gives Benefit Of The Doubt

The “Smack That” artist Akon came to Kanye’s defense this past Friday (Dec 2). While appearing on an episode of Sky News, the West African rapper answered questions about Kanye’s views on Hitler. 

“I think the moment we get to the place where we close our minds up to other people’s opinion, it kind of doesn’t allow us to get to better know each other better know our mindsets and more than anything better know our movements,” Akon replied. “I think sometimes we should open up our minds and let things play all the way out and better understand the situation, so we have a better solution for it.”

Zero Tolerance For Hate

While defending Ye, Akon also clarified that he disagrees with the “Flashing Lights” rappers’ views but would be open to a discussion. 

Many didn’t approve of Akon’s reasoning for maintaining support for Kanye. “Not really because those comments don’t really affect me personally,” the “I Wanna Love You” artist responded when asked if the antisemitic comments bothered him. “And if it does affect you personally, then find a way to actually respond in a way to where that conversation can be reciprocated.”

“Because I think sometimes when someone is offended, they just lash out in defense or lash out to make that person feel that same offense that they felt,” Akon went on. “I think when you take negative, and you applied the response negatively back, you only get negative back.”

“Don’t take things too personally until you really understand the situation,” the artist finished.

Social media reacted quickly to Akon’s opinion, swiftly condemning the artist for not standing up against hate speech. “Bro, he f—— praised Hitler and threatened Jewish people. We know the situation,” one Twitter user quipped.

https://twitter.com/erinmensley/status/1598773741177081858

https://twitter.com/seankent/status/1599258916416024579

On a More Positive Note

The unexpected excuses for Kanye come at a notably positive era in Akon’s career. Starting off as a hip-hop singer/rapper in the early 2000s, Akon has pivoted in recent years to philanthropy in Africa. His prolific non-profit project Akon Lighting Africa was founded with Samba Bathily and Thione Niang in 2014 and aims to provide basic electricity to small towns throughout Africa using solar power. By using energy from the sun, Akon has helped massively with increasing street lights and electrical infrastructure in his home country of Senegal. In addition to Senegal, Akon Lighting Africa is currently operating in Mali, Niger, and Sierra Leone.

Truly, Akon is a part of a small minority; celebs are notably quiet in the wake of Kanye’s pro-Hitler comments. It might just be the final nail in the coffin of Ye’s career.

RELATED STORIES:

Akon Speaks On His Eminem Produced Hit, “Smack That”

Akon Sued For Roughly $4 Million by Famous Music Executive

Written By: Dreema Carrington

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FM Culture Trending

Akon Speaks On His Eminem Produced Hit, “Smack That”

Akon's Cryptocurrency Faces Legal Challenges
Akon. Image source: Getty/Daniele, Venturelli/Daniele, Venturelli/WireImage.

16 years after its release, Akon is reflecting on his number one global smash hit “Smack That” featuring Eminem. The entrepreneur sat down with Bootleg Kev podcast about his chart-topping singles in the mid-to-late 2000s.

Eminem The Producer

In the interview, Akon said that Eminem produced “Smack That,” which was the first song Akon did not have his hands on. “It’s interesting because every record I ever put out, I actually produced, except ‘Smack That,’” he explained. “Eminem produced that record. Isn’t that crazy? He always had them small little sounds, it was something minute, but it felt like Eminem.”

Akon also revealed that he was shocked to know that Eminem was a top-tier producer. “He gave me a folder with, like, 30 tracks in there. And out of 30, I picked five. And I recorded all five, and the one that stood out was ‘Smack That.’ I was like, ‘Bro, this is it’.”

While “Smack That” was the only recording to see the light of day and became a massive hit, Akon still has some of the other records they recorded together.” And that’s the only one we ever had together, besides all those we did. But I still have them. I literally have those records today.” He then adds that the records may be released in the future.

Akon’s Konvicted

“Smack That” is featured on Akon’s 2006 record Konvicted. The song went on to chart at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance.  The album also included the hits “I Wanna Love You” featuring Snoop Dogg, “I Can’t Wait” featuring T-Pain and “Don’t Matter.”

Since Konvicted, he went on to release three more albums, with his latest being Konnect in 2019. He is also featured on many hits including Lady Gaga’s breakout record “Just Dance,” “The Sweet Escape” with Gwen Stefani and “Sexy Chick” with David Guetta.

Written By: Roy Lott

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FM Legal Trending

Akon Claims A Former Business Partner Is Attempting To Freeze His Assets

Akon's Cryptocurrency Faces Legal Challenges
Akon. Image source: Getty/Daniele, Venturelli/Daniele, Venturelli/WireImage.

The Konvict Music mogul has earned a large amount of wealth throughout his musical career. Besides that, Akon has been planning to build a “futuristic cryptocurrency-themed city.”

The project would take place in Senegal. The city is to consist of parks, hotels, and a stadium that’ll rely only on Akon’s digital currency, Akoin.

In order to do so, Akon also secured $4 billion in investments. Now, Devyne Stephens is suing Akon. He claims  Akon’s futuristic city a Ponzi scheme 

Also, Stephens demanded that the judge put a freeze on all of Akon’s New York City assets.

Lawsuits Filed By Akon And Devyne Stephens

Page Six reports that Akon’s lawyers aimed at Stephens in court documents. They filed with the Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday (Apr 4).

The documents claim that the former business partner attempts to “damage Akon’s reputation out of spite.” Akon’s lawyers also said that the suit is “character assassination.” He then added that the case has “inflicted unwarranted damage on Akon.”

In a separate 2018 lawsuit, Stephens also accused the Senegalese songwriter of owing him $4 million. The sum allegedly comes from the unpaid royalties.

Previously, he also called Akon a “dishonorable spendthrift that shirks his responsibilities and does not keep promises.” In 2018, Akon reportedly agreed to pay Stephens $3.25 million over four years.

However, the artist allegedly backed out of paying the last $750,000 installment.

Moreover, Stephens has taken Akon to court three times since launching the Senegalese singer’s career in 2004. Akon urges the judge to deny Stephens’ request to freeze his assets.

Below is the video of Akon discussing his cryptocurrency.

Written by Nikiya Biggs

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Akon Sued For Roughly $4 Million by Famous Music Executive

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A prolific figure in the music industry has a bone to pick with ‘Lonely’ rapper Akon.

Who’s suing Akon?

Devyne Stephens is an icon in the Atlanta music scene. He got his start being the first artist ever signed to Laface records in the early ’90s. Since then he’s pivoted and excelled in artist development. Household names like Toni Braxton, Usher, and Mary j Blige have blossomed under Stephens’ wing. He signed a young Akon to his label Upfront Entertainment in 2005, and the duo has made several hits in the years after. Unfortunately, it seems their relationship has taken a sour turn.

According to a report from Page Six, Stephens claims he’s owed a $750,000 installment from an old payment plan. In addition to that, it’s alleged Akon owes the music exec nearly $4 million in royalties. According to the Manhattan Supreme Court papers, Akon made an agreement with Stephens in 2018 to pay him $3.25 million over four years. Stephens claims The last remaining installment has yet to be received. This most recent suit filed earlier this week (Jan. 19) is the third time Stephens has gotten the law involved with his artist.

The lawsuit expounds on how Stephens was robbed of royalties for four albums. Apparently, Akon was supposed to drop four projects under Atlantic Records and intentionally “sabotaged” his relationship with the label. This prevented Stephens from receiving royalties he was entitled to, stated in the clause of the settlement from a previous lawsuit. The clause specifically states the albums must be released under a “major” label.

A man on a mission for his money

While Akon has since signed to BMG Records, Stephens is adamant about still being owed nearly $4 million. Evidently, BMG is “by any objective metric, is a ‘major’ record label” and should qualify for the terms of the settlement.

“Although Akon argues he is not currently signed to a ‘major’ record label, he is wrong,” the papers read.

“Akon has spent the better part of a decade frustrating Stephens’ attempts to obtain large amounts of money which Akon unambiguously promised in contracts to pay Stephens.”

Neither Akon nor Devyne Stephens have made a statement since the filing of the lawsuit.

RELATED STORIES:

Akon Stands Firm By Rich Vs. Poor Comment

Akon Not Pressing Charges Against Car Thieves

 

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Akon Stands Firm By Rich Vs. Poor Comment

Photo from https://hypebeast.com/2020/6/akon-ke-international-awarded-6-billion-usd-construction-akon-city-contract-senegal-news.

Rapper and humanitarian Akon recently made a statement about a comment he made a month earlier on social media. This was during Michael K’s Death when Akon compared rich life’s problems and problems of poor living conditions. The comment was about the welfare of poor and rich people. In his former statement, he said that rich and famous people have it harder than poor people. Now he is reaffirming his stance with what he said and says that he does not regret that. He understands how it feels from both sides of the hierarchal social spectrum, so he feels that he should not have to reiterate his position.

Akon’s Controversial Rich Vs. Poor Comment

The “Soul Survivor” singer used actor Michael K William’s death despite his condolences to him to say that money and success do not guarantee happiness. Akon said that rich and famous go through more than poor, with the factors of being looked at in the spotlight. He does not recant with his notion of believing that because he believes that he can relate to the rich and the poor. In regard to that, he made a statement saying:

“Nobody can sit there and tell me, that I didn’t go through poverty. I was the young African kid, barefoot and playing soccer in the village with no electricity, no running water, I knew what the looked like – believe me, I know what poverty looks like. “

With that in mind, he says, “I was actually happier when I was poor.” That comment showed his genuine nature for the simple things in life that aren’t often appreciated compared to the fame and glamour of having things.

Akon’s Attitude

Akon has often spoken and sung about life’s trials and pleasures when making his music and helping out his community back on in Senegal. He is very open and aware of the social issues and drama around him. This is why he humbles himself in the spotlight and is unapologetic in the public eye.

For more on Akon’s controversial comment and demeanor, tune in @fmhiphop.com

Twitter: Prophetzacc22 | Snapchat: Prophetzacc22

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Updates

Akon Not Pressing Charges Against Car Thieves

Car There, and Then it was Gone, Akon Vehicle Stolen!

Famous star Akon announced that his White Range Rover was stolen from pumping gas at a station back on May 25th.  The crime happened right around midnight. The items in Akon’s car consisted of his cell phone, Louis Vuitton luggage, and a $25,000.00 diamond necklace.  The car could be stolen so easily that Akon went into the station and had the car running and the keys in the ignition.

 

No Charges Will Be Filed Against the Thieves. 

His car was recovered one day after it was stolen from a gas station in Buckhead. Using a tracking device could be found because Akon’s cell phone was in the car when the culprit jumped into the car and drove away. The famous hip-hop star announced he is not planning on pressing charges on whoever it was that was the culprit. His car was recovered one day after it was stolen from a gas station in Buckhead.

 

So How Can This Be Stopped? 

How Akon’s car was so simple to steal has shown that changes need to be implemented in Atlanta. Atlanta City Council members are now suggesting that gas stations need security cameras installed at the pumps after this crime.

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Updates

Akon Is Back!

Photo from https://hypebeast.com/2020/6/akon-ke-international-awarded-6-billion-usd-construction-akon-city-contract-senegal-news.

Akon Is Back And Better

Our favorite hip hop and popstar Akon is making his mark with his newest album. Best known for his amazing throwbacks “Smack That” and “Right Now“, Akon is back and better with his newest album Aint No Peace! The album features seven different tracks with songs that include Rick Ross, Mali Music, and OG Boo Dirty. Aint No Peace focuses on issues of justice, making it a powerful album, especially now! The rapper is back and using his platform to bring up issues going on in our world today.

Photo from https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/akon-city-akoin-official/.

Akon Teams Up With Rick Ross For “Get Out”

With Akon’s newest album, he explains the importance of injustice through music. In their collaborative song “Get Out” on Aint No Peace with Rick Ross, they make their message clear through the song title and lyrics. The message in the song focuses on getting out to ensure freedom. In the pre-chorus of the song, Akon sings “To all my killers and drug dealers, these streets ain’t got no love for you”. Akon and Rick Ross address both gang culture and inequality issues at hand through their music. While the song primarily focuses on gang culture, it also hints at the power difference between gangs and police, demanding justice to ensure peace. Hip hop uses its platform to sing and rap about not just sex, but long-lasting issues that are still yet to be solved. Music makes a difference, and the messages are clear.

Aint No Peace Demands Change

Akon is back and better, not just through his music, but his messages within the album. Considering his best throwbacks focus on relationships and sex, his perspective of 2020 changed how he wrote music. In his new album, he makes his message about the lack of equality and social justice through his lyrics. We’re so glad Akon used his admirable comeback while sending an empowering message about change through an honest and fair lens.

Sydney Geller | IG: @sydneyyyyy_g |