TheAkon.com Latest Blog Posts

Akon hurt somebody french montana

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:38:05 GMT

Yes, hip-hop enthusiasts, I know this was leaked a few months ago, however I have a feeling this song is about to blow up real soon. Akon returns to his early Konvict roots in a “Locked Up” like track. In a new edition of “Hurt Somebody” Akon adds somebody, by the name of French Montana. Hopefully Akon gets some attention on this one in order to gain some better feature artists to make this one a true caliber song. It’s kind of refreshing and good to hear some of the old Akon roots come out again.

Akon to feature in P-square new video

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:50:16 GMT

Nigerian pop duo, Psquare are currently in Atlanta, United Sttaes, shooting the video for ‘Chop My Money’ from their fifth album ‘Invasion’. The video features a star cameo appearance from Konvict Music boss, Akon who has in recent times been tied with the twins. Peter Okoye, took time to tweet a few pictures from the video shoot and from the look of things, the high budget video will definitely make a statement. Other cameos include Square Records newest act, MayD and bigger brother ,Jude Okoye.

Akon, Shakira, Pitbull to sing in Tamil?

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:13:20 GMT

The Billa 2 team is trying to rope in American rapper Pitbull for a song, the Vijay-starrer Thuppakki crew is hoping to add Akon’s magic touch to their soundtrack, and Simbu is planning to get Shakira and her famous ‘hips that don’t lie’. Collaborating with international names in the music business seems to be the latest trend.

Music manager at an FM station and popular singer, Ramya, says, “It is actually good to experiment with something new. When international singers are roped in, it enhances the song and it can be more stylish.

Even popular international bands have collaborated with our singers. Playback singers, Sainthavi and Vinaya, were part of a U2 album called Playing for Change. The popular Black Eyed Peas have even remixed one of S. Janaki’s songs as the Elephunk theme song.

Akon, Shakira and Pitbull are big names in the music industry. Having them would add a new flavour to our songs, which can be made popular worldwide.”Music director James Vasanthan has different views. He says, “Legendary music directors had never tried to get big international stars.

They staunchly believed in their creative talent and didn’t need anyone else to popularise their songs.” He goes on to say, “These days, actors and producers insist on such biggies for international mileage.

Though it is good, it is not necessary for a Tamil song. It can be considered for an English music album.” Actors and music directors may suggest big names, but getting them on board is a challenge for the producers of films.

Producer Jabak says, “Producers and directors may try to rope in international singers for a Tamil number, but the execution is actually very tough.

The budgets are too high and it is a very tough job to get them here. A film’s verdict is decided more in the rural areas than the urban ones. A song with an ethnic touch has a wider reach than one with western elements.

Many people are not even familiar with these music divas. When a film’s market is here, down south in Tamil Nadu, roping in international names just for a song doesn’t make sense. This is just another phase and the current trend will soon pass away.”

Amitabh Bachchan and Akon to perform live in concert!

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:38:01 GMT

This coup is being pulled off by the music composer Aadesh Shrivastava, who has already got both Amitabh Bachchan and Akon to sing (separately) for his music album Anthem of Peace. Now, for a concert to be held in March, Shrivastava hopes to bring these two icons together on stage.

Things aren’t finalized yet and Shrivastava is yet to discuss the concert with Akon. He’s likely to do so when he visits the US next month. But Shrivastava says he enjoys a good rapport with Akon and is confident of roping him in for the concert.

As for Amitabh Bachchan, the superstar’s participation in the concert is almost confirmed. Aadesh Shrivastava has made Big B sing many a time in the past and there is no reason to believe why he can’t do it again.

The aim of the concert is to promote the message of peace and harmony. With the stalwarts like Amitabh and Akon on stage, Aadesh is sure the message would reach out far and wide.

Akon to smack it in Vijay's 'Thupaki'?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:46:03 GMT

'Thupaki' is indeed becoming bigger with each passing day what with all the big names associated with the film. The latest is that international artist Akon of 'Smack that...' fame will venture into Tamil cinema by crooning a number in Ilayathalapathy Vijay's 'Thupaki'! His earlier offering, 'Chammak Challo...' for SRK's 'Ra.One' set a rage in our country.

It's almost official that Akon will be singing one song in this album and it is said that it will be recorded shortly in Chennai following which the makers will announce it. The makers are keen on making this single track a super hit and want to market it aggressively post the release of the music album of 'Thupaki'.

The film will be an action loaded entertainer and has Kajal Aggarwal as the lead lady. It already has big names associated with it for the cast and crew and roping in Akon for a track is only going to make 'Thupaki' bigger than ever!

No Akon, Rihanna for Simbu!

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:32:27 GMT

Love does make the world go round and Simbu decided to reinforce this message by releasing The Love Anthem. He has produced the song himself and sources say that the team behind the song hopes it can replicate the recent success of other songs that went viral. But contrary to media reports that he had roped in Akon and Rihanna to feature in the song, as of now, he has not got any international singer!

The actor himself trashed the rumours going around by posting on his social networking page that while the international version is ready neither of these two artists are singing in it. The buzz in the industry is that he's off to the US to sign up an international artist and record the song. Some people floated the names of Rihanna and Akon to create hype around the song.

The actor added on his page, "Will officially announce who it is until then konjam wait pannungapa!!!" The actor tweeted, "suggest me one male and one female international artist for the final version of love anthem!!!" It looks like he himself is on the search for an artist who will finally sing the song with him when he heads to Los Angeles on January 3.

Akon signs Wizkid,Tuface and P-square

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:28:44 GMT

Record producer and singer Akon recently signed Nigerian artistes: Wizkid, Tuface and P-square as representatives of his record label Konvict Muzik in Africa. He revealed this over the weekend in Lagos at the unveiling of Citron energy drink which took place in footballer Jay Jay Okocha's club Number 10. They join international artistes; Brick and Lace, T-Pain and Lady Gaga in the Konvict Muzik family.

AMERICAN SINGER AKON SIGNS 2FACE,P-SQUARE & WIZKID TO HIS RECORD LABEL

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:37:18 GMT

Senegalese-American singer and music producer, Akon has signed three of Nigeria's top musicians, Tuface Idibia, Wizkid, and P-Square duo to his Konvict Music label. The news has not been officially confirmed yet because they are not yet listed on Konvict Music website and Akon or the artistes are yet to make formal announcement.

Akon Self-Censored His Way to the Top: Five Years Ago Today

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 13:40:16 GMT

News flash: popular music includes profanity. Now that I've gotten your attention with that shocking revelation, here's another: some of the trickiest songs to release as singles incorporate naughty words in to the title. Music might be a form of expression, but it's also a business. And sometimes, that requires artists to change words to prevent Little Jimmy's parents from throwing a fit.

The most obvious recent example of this phenomenon is "Fuck You" by Cee-Lo, which was magically transformed into "Forget You." That simple change allowed the song to be shoehorned in everything, from Just Dance 3 to this somewhat disturbing Hebrew homage. There's unconfirmed rumors that both Cee-Lo and one of the song's writer Bruno Mars are constructing a giant money pit in Zanzibar with the song's royalties.

Sure, a dump truck full of money can be wonderful. But in this case, the song's emotional intensity declined a bit because of the change. It just so happens that a similar example of this creatively cumbersome dilemma occurred with St. Louis native Akon 2006 hit "I Wanna Love You," which on this day in 2006 was the number one song in the country.

Back in the rip-roaring 2000s, Akon's autotuned voice was everywhere - including this medium-paced ballad featuring Snoop Dogg. When I first heard this song in a fine dancing establishment in Columbia, Missouri, it garnered no reaction from me because it was so similar in structure and substance to every other pop song at the time. But of course, "I Wanna Love You" is a heavily censored version of "I Wanna Fuck You." And it's probably one of the more jarring examples of self-censorship for marketability's sake.

An example: In "I Want to Love You," Akon is crooning about how he wants to "love" some unnamed lady "winding and grinding up on the floor." It's a little trite [and perhaps unrealistic to expect somebody to fall in love based off dance moves], but nothing too out-of-the-ordinary. But in the more explicit version of the song, Akon is actually crooning about wanting to do it with somebody "winding and grinding up on that pole." My guess he's not talking about Indy Car racing.

While 2006 was a banner year for Akon, stranger days were ahead in 2007. In April 2007, Akon got in a heap of trouble for simulating sex with what turned out to be an underage girl in Trinidad and Tobago. And he sparked an Internet frenzy of sorts when he emulated the Ultimate Warrior and chucked some dude off a stage.

But those controversies didn't derail Akon's career. On the contrary -- he's made a boatload of money off of artists such as Lady Gaga and T-Pain. And recently, he reexamined the actual subject of his 2006 hit when he teamed up with Andy Samberg and company.

So sure, Akon may not be subtle. And he may have been willing to change his song for commercial gain. But I'm sure any criticism is being drowned out as he swims through his endless sea of golden coins.

Akon, Wavves, Dave Stewart, Empire Of The Sun And More

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:20:37 GMT

Here’s a little look at what’s going on in Twitterland today. Henry Wagons shoots some pool, on video, with Powderfinger’s Darren Middleton and talks shop. Megastar Akon says he’s going to make a “power move” with Rick Ross, but who is that little guy in this photo? Empire Of The Sun had their giant swordfish heads stolen at Stereosonic! To the Cash Converters! T-Pain’s iPhone case is “fuckin’ hilarious”. So is his wife’s. We think it’s sweet. Brooodal deathcore band The Acacia Strain bring you “eternal slumber” in beverage form. Ben Lee and Old Man River are going to India. Lee even tweeted exact dates. You might bump into him over there.

We’re pretty sure the “ho ho ho” that Wavves are making for Lady Antebellum’s Christmas album aren’t necessarily derived from jollity.Garbage are getting suitably drunk while listening to their newly-completed album. Everything rocks when you’re pissed. Ooooh. UK star Tinie Tempah has one word for us, and it’s “studio”. His last tweet was “Amen!”. Whatever could it mean. It seems Dave Stewart is tweeting during an interview with Richard Wilkins for the Today Show right now.