Akon and Afrobeats: Nigerians are criticizing Akon's claim that he created Afrobeats

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Senegalese-American singer Akon recently claimed he played a key role in the creation and rise of Afrobeats, citing his early work from 2008 with Nigerian artists like Wizkid, P-Square, D’banj, and Banky W. He stated that his label signed Wizkid in 2008 and that their collaborations helped develop the genre now known globally as Afrobeats. Akon emphasized that his efforts helped bring Afrobeats to the international stage, especially through his work around the 2010 FIFA World Cup and investing in African music when it was not widely recognized outside Africa.

Following his claim, many Nigerians strongly criticized Akon', accusing him of overstating his influence and attempting to rewrite the history of Afrobeats. Critics pointed out that artists like P-Square and D’banj were already established before Akon's involvement and that Afrobeats was thriving locally and internationally before his contributions. Some dismissed his statements as clout chasing, while others challenged the timeline and questioned his role in "developing" these artists, arguing that Akon helped promote rather than create the genre.

Akon crediting himself with helping expose and popularize Afrobeats internationally through early collaborations and investments, has triggered debate, but many Nigerians reject the notion that he created the genre, emphasizing the pre-existing local foundations and success of Afrobeats artists before Akon's involvement.

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