Akon has revealed his relationship with some Nigerian music superstars which include Davido, members of the defunct Psquare music and others, as well as his contribution to Afrobeats.
The Senegalese-born American music star in an interview on The Breakfast Club hosted by DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne tha God, said he signed some Nigerian music stars when he relocated to his home country.
He however made a clarification by stating that the contracts was just handshakes as they are not honored in Nigeria.
“It’s not even a matter of letting him go, because in Africa, contracts really don’t exist. You just shake hands. It’s all words. Especially Nigeria, there is no contract being honoured.
“And me and Davido never had a contract. I was more like a big brother walking him through certain things, learn some things, advice, things like that” he said.
“When I was in Africa, I was building an Afrobeat team.
“When I first went out there in 2008, I signed Davido, PSquare and others. Davido is like my little brother. Did you know, Davido was originally from Atlanta? And started his music career actually in Atlanta and just decided, you know what, ‘It’s too much of a struggle here, let me go back home.’
“He went back home and just popped off like that” (snaps fingers).
Continuing, he said, “P-Square was actually the biggest act as of that time. It was a group of twin brothers. We had a song, ‘Choplife.’
“It was a huge smash. But at the time, Afrobeat wasn’t that big here.
“What I love about Davido is that he is an independent artiste. He came with the US hustle to Africa. So, he completely gets it.”
On if Davido was still signed to his record label, he said, “Nah, nah, He’s doing his own thing now.”
