Timecodes - 0:00 - Akon Interview
2:00 - moments that surprise Akon
3:00 - Akon reflects on his early music “Operations of Nature”
4:00 - when music became a reality for Akon
5:00 - Akon talks about Mr. Lonely and being a “hard&B artist
6:00 - Akon wanted to be as far away from the streets as possible
6:30 - Akon talks about what his old ringtone was
7:00 - Akon wanting to step outside of his genre with David Guetta
9:00 - Akon on building the Afrobeats scene
9:00 - Akon talks about why he stood next to Tekashi 6ix9ine, and wanting to be his mentor and references the YSL case with snitching
11:00 - how Akon keeps his circle clean and talks about peer pressure
13:00 - Akon talks about never drinking and smoking
14:00 - Akon reflects on Michael Jackson friendship
15:00 - Akon talks about Michael Jackson’s idea to build music schools all throughout Africa
16:00 - What inspired Akon to create “Akon City”
17:00 - Akon wanting to bring the world cup to Senegal
18:30 - Akon talks about finding his purpose
24:00 - Akon talks about the criticism of his city taking so long
25:00 - Akon explains his role with cryptocurrency in Africa
28:00 - Akon talks about Wakanda inspiring Akon City
29:00 - Akon talks about full circle moment and wanting to bring power and knowledge to Africa
30:00 - Akon talks about Billionaires in Africa
31:00 - why Akon doesn’t care about credit
32:00 - Akon talks about what makes a star to him
33:00 - Akon says Master P’s work ethic makes up for any lack of rapping skills
34:00 - Akon almost had beef with 50 Cent
37:00 - Akon recalls asking 50 Cent if it was cool to drop song with The Game
38:00 - Akon talks about going to Middle school with Nelly in St. Louis & almost forming a supergroup with Pharrell & T-Pain
39:00 - what happened to Akon’s collab project with Jeezy
41:00 - Akon talks about new music with Tee Mannie
42:00 - Akon breaks down the music industry “the artist is the last to get paid’ and gives advice to upcoming artists
47:00 - Akon jokes about how good Drake is

Akon describes how the music business really works for artists with streaming services.

Research & Interview Conducted By: Jeremy Hecht (@jeremy_hecht )
Video Edit By: Sage Velastegui
  / sage.ve  
Shot By: Jordan Saint-Pierre
  / jordansaintpierre  
Artist Relations: Elise Ricks
  / elise.0604  
Executive Producer: Sharath Cherian

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