AKON CELEBRATES HIS ROOTS WITH AFROBEATS AKONDA RELEASE
COLLABS WITH POPULAR AFROPOP ARTISTS INCLUDING OLAMIDE, SKALE, KIZZ DANIEL, AND AFRO B
PROPELS LIGHTING AFRICA INITIATIVE FORWARD, SETTING GLOBAL STAGE MUSICALLY, CULTURALLY AND ECONOMICALLY
(New York, NY – Friday, October 25) – Global superstar, Akon, releases his first ever full-length Afrobeats album, Akonda today via his Akonik Label Group.
The 10-track LP includes Akon’s hit singles “Low Key” and “Wakonda.” “Wakonda,” a play on Afro B’s popular song “Drogba” (Joanna), features West African comedian, Michael Blackson in the hilarious visuals which premiered on World Star Hip Hop earlier this Summer. Akonda also includes stunning collaborations with artists from across the continent including Afro B himself, Olamide, Skale, and Kizz Daniel.
It is evident, Afropop and Afrobeats has taken a turn in mainstream music, and with the rise of this culture bending phenom, Akon wanted to take it back to his roots to create a project so near and dear to his heart.
He teamed up with some of the most prominent producers across the world including Nigerian producer Samklef, Grammy award-winning Haitian producer Jerry Wonda, and the popular UK producers that make up Team Salut to name a few. The American born and Senegalese raised superstar wanted to ensure he delivered in a way that truly showcased the beauty and versatility of African culture. Akonda gives us a warm welcome to Africa.
Akonda Tracklisting:
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Welcome To Africa
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Scammers Ft. Olamide
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Low Key
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Bottom
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Boogie Down
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Take Your Place Ft. Kizz Daniel
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Control ft Skales
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Kryptonite
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Pretty Girls Ft. Afro B
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(Bonus track) Wakonda
Not only is Akon creating and releasing music for his culture but he continues to propel the continent forward with his Lighting Africa initiative. Positioning himself as one of the key players in the sustainability movement, Akon has created a global platform that addresses social and economic issues but also ties in his musical endeavors. Akon has set the stage as a multi-dimensional philanthropist, global entertainer and social entrepreneur.
With over 35 million albums sold worldwide and 5 Grammy Nominations, Akon is a key player in the global music industry. Recognizing not only mainstream genres but culture shifting sounds, Akon is ready to share music with the world. The highly anticipated Akonda album comes on the heels of his Latin project, EL Negreeto, which dropped earlier this month and hit #1 on the APPLE Music Latin Charts in less than 24 hours. Akon is also slated to perform at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) next month!
He states “this project, much like El Negreeto, is more than just releasing music. It is important, we share the sounds that make us, us. Creating an Afrobeat album was very important to me because this is where I come from, this is what I grew up on and now its my turn to let the world hear a piece of our culture. Akonda is just that – for the culture.” Akon also plans to do a promo tour through Europe and Africa this year, highlighting not only his musical ties but his cultural and economic ties to the continent.