Ghanaian music icon Sarkodie has saluted Akon for his early dedication to African music, describing the Senegalese-American artist as a trailblazer who helped shape the global journey of Afrobeats.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sarkodie praised Akon’s commitment to spotlighting African talent during a period when African sounds were largely overlooked by the international music industry.
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“Big shouts to the legend @Akon for what you did for Afrobeats!!! We can’t skip that in history…” Sarkodie stated. “Few artists at their prime will look back and put their people on from the motherland!”
According to Sarkodie, Akon’s support went beyond lip service. He actively signed, collaborated with, and mentored a number of African artists—including Wizkid, P-Square, and Davido—helping them tap into a wider audience.
This foresight, Sarkodie believes, laid a crucial part of the foundation upon which Afrobeats now thrives globally.
While the genre has evolved and reached new heights through the efforts of a new generation of African stars, Sarkodie insists that Akon’s contribution must not be forgotten.
“Of course it’s been bigger and better since,” Sarkodie wrote, “but we can’t ignore his contribution to the global dominance of Afrobeats.”
Akon’s legacy as a cultural connector continues to resonate in today’s music landscape, where African rhythms, languages, and stars are now center stage on global charts.
For Sarkodie and many others, the story of Afrobeats’ success is incomplete without acknowledging the doors Akon helped open.
