Akon

Music Industry

Watch: Akon Talks Signing Lady Gaga and French Montana on ‘Drink Champs’

Akon sat down with the Drink Champs show earlier this week for an inspiring interview. The Senegalese-American, who has been busy bringing electricity to Africa and developing his own cryptocurrency, discussed a variety of topics.

One of the themes of the interview was his role in developing artists, most notably Lady Gaga and French Montana. Both were signed to his label early in their careers.

Akon discussed why he signed Gaga, whose label at the time, Interscope, didn’t see her as a priority. He also discussed signing Montana, only to let him leave for Bad Boy Records.

“I built my career off making other people’s careers,” Akon said. “If we all did that, we’d be good.”

Watch the inspiring interview above.

Related: GASHI Enlists French Montana and DJ Snake for New Single, ‘Creep on Me’

| September 12, 2018
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Akon Aims to Provide 600 Million Africans with Solar Electricity

Akon
 
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

| June 4, 2015