July 10, 2025
Laidback Luke Talks Vintage DJ Gear!
International touring DJ, producer and founder of Mixmash Records, Laidback Luke, was appearing at a festival close to the DJcity UK lab last week. So Moja...
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Akon Aims to Provide 600 Million Africans with Solar Electricity
Despite plans to release five albums within the course of a year, R&B singer Akon is also working to provide 600 million Africans with solar electricity.
The multi-platinum artist has launched Akon Lighting Africa, a solar academy that will train Africans in “every aspect of installing and maintaining solar-powered electric systems and micro-grids”.
Partners with the Mali-based company include Solektra International, an African firm specializing in solar energy and water treatment.
Co-founder Samba Bathily told Huffington Post: “We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise and that is our objective.”
Bathily added: “We are doing more than just investing in clean energy. We are investing in human capital. We can achieve great milestones and accelerate the African transformation process on condition that we start training a new generation of highly qualified African engineers, technicians and entrepreneurs now.”
In terms of music, Akon was featured on Chris Brown’s single “Came to Do” — the 25th most downloaded song on DJcity in 2014.
Related: Dr. Dre & Jimmy Iovine Donate $70 Million to USC
