Ghanaian rap icon Sarkodie has publicly recognized Akon for his pivotal role in the rise of Afrobeats on the global stage.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on May 29, 2025, Sarkodie praised the Senegalese-American singer and music executive for being one of the few global stars who invested in African talent at the height of his career.
“Big shouts to the legend, Akon, for what you did for Afrobeats!!! We can’t skip that in history… few artists in their prime will look back and put their people on from the motherland! He did that in a big way! Of course, it’s been bigger and better since, but we can’t ignore his contribution to the global dominance of Afrobeats,” Sarkodie wrote.
He emphasized how rare it is for top-tier artists to turn around and support emerging talent from the continent, making Akon’s contribution all the more significant.
This tribute from Sarkodie follows Akon’s recent interview with Sherri Shepherd, where he spoke about his influence on the early stages of Afrobeats. Akon shared that after his Freedom album in 2008, he spent time in Nigeria working with major talents like Wizkid, Banky W, P-Square, and D’banj.
“Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist we signed back in 2008,” Akon said. “From there, we started developing artists like PSquare, D’banj, and others. What we created in Nigeria is what you now know as Afrobeats.”
Akon also produced music for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, a project that further solidified his connection to the African music scene.
Sarkodie’s acknowledgment highlights the importance of honoring those who laid the groundwork for what is now a global genre dominating charts and airwaves.
