Akon clarifies Banky W discovered Wizkid, not him

Senegalese-American music star Akon has set the record straight regarding the discovery of Nigerian singer Wizkid, attributing the initial find to Nigerian music executive Banky W.

Akon shared in a recent interview that Banky W introduced Wizkid to him during a visit to Nigeria. "Banky W discovered Wizkid. That’s how that collaboration went," Akon stated. "I went to Nigeria, and Banky brought me Wiz, and I’m like: ‘Bro! This kid is a star.’ They had limited resources, so when I signed Wiz, that was what broke him into the United States."

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Banky W discovered Wizkid. That’s how that collaboration went. I went to Nigeria, and Banky brought me Wiz, and I’m like: ‘Bro! This kid is a star.’ They had limited resources, so when I signed Wiz, that was what broke him into the United States.

Akon's involvement was pivotal in launching Wizkid's career in the American market at a time when Afrobeats was not yet widely recognized globally. Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, was signed by Banky W to Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) in 2009, gaining prominence with his debut single "Holla at Your Boy."

The music mogul also revealed a past missed opportunity to sign Canadian rapper Drake. Akon explained that while he saw Drake's potential, the financial demands were too high. "Drake was the only one I had a shoutout at, and I wanted it to become official. It wasn’t that I didn’t see the vision that he was going to be big; he just wasn’t big then and was requesting a whopping $1 million to sign for me," he said. Akon noted that Drake's early sound was similar to Eminem's, and by the time he embraced his distinct style with "Best I Ever Had," it was too late and too expensive to sign him.

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Drake was the only one I had a shoutout at, and I wanted it to become official. It wasn’t that I didn’t see the vision that he was going to be big; he just wasn’t big then and was requesting a whopping $1 million to sign for me.