Akon, however, clarified that he signed Wizkid through Banky W’s record label, Empire Mates Entertainment.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Senegalese-American singer, songwriter and music executive Akon has justified his decision to opt for Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid in 2008, instead of signing Canadian rapper Drake.
The 53-year-old artist offered the explanation recently while appearing as a guest on the popular news outlet, The Shade Room.
During the interview, Akon noted that he signed Wizkid through Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment instead of Drake due to the latter’s steep financial demands.
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According to the ‘Sorry, Blame It on Me’ crooner, the Canadian singer was still an emerging artist who had not yet developed into a global superstar, but ‘was requesting a whopping $1 million to sign’ with him.
He further claimed that he introduced Wizkid to the American market. However, he credited Banky W with discovering and nurturing the Nigerian music star’s talent.
Speaking on the show, Akon said: “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.” They had limited resources, so when I signed Wiz, that was what broke him into the United States.”
