Senegalese-American singer and music executive Akon has revealed why he chose to sign Nigerian music star Wizkid in 2008 instead of pursuing a deal with Canadian rapper Drake.
Speaking in a recent interview with The Shade Room, Akon said Drake, who was still an emerging artiste at the time, sought a signing fee of $1 million, a figure that influenced his decision.
According to Akon, Drake had not yet developed the signature sound that would later propel him to global fame when discussions took place.
“He was requesting a whopping $1 million to sign for me,” Akon said.
The singer explained that his partnership with Wizkid came through Nigerian singer and music executive Banky W, who had already discovered and was developing the young artiste under Empire Mates Entertainment (EME).
Recalling the encounter, Akon said he immediately recognised Wizkid’s potential after being introduced to him during a visit to Nigeria.
“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,’” he said.
Akon also credited the collaboration with helping expand Wizkid’s international reach, particularly in the United States.
“They had limited resources, so when I signed Wiz, that was what broke him into the United States,” he added.
Wizkid has since become one of Africa’s biggest music exports, earning global recognition through chart-topping songs, international collaborations and multiple awards, while Drake has also gone on to establish himself as one of the world’s most successful recording artists.
