How I signed Wizkid through Banky W - Akon
Music star Akon clarified that he did not discover Nigerian artist Wizkid, crediting Banky W for nurturing the singer's early career. Akon also discussed his missed opportunity to sign Drake in 2008 due to financial constraints and the artist's early sound.
Why it matters
The story provides insight into the business side of the global music industry and the development of Afrobeats as a major international genre.
Senegalese-American music star Akon has opened up about his role in Wizkid’s early career, revealing that he signed the Nigerian singer after Banky W introduced the then-rising talent to him during a visit to Nigeria.
Akon, who appeared in a recent interview with Shade Room, dismissed claims that he discovered Wizkid, insisting that the credit belongs to Banky W, who had already nurtured the singer before bringing him into the partnership.
“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,” he said.
According to Akon, his involvement helped introduce Wizkid to the American market at a time when Afrobeats was yet to enjoy the global recognition it has today.
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