https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230720/which-nation-is-the-smartest-in-rapper-akons-eyes-1060652276.html
Which Nation is the Smartest in Rapper Akon's Eyes?
Which Nation is the Smartest in Rapper Akon's Eyes?
Sputnik Africa
Akon is an international music star, Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur, whose music defined the American R&B and hip-hop scene in... 20.07.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-07-20T13:34+0200
2023-07-20T13:34+0200
2023-08-05T12:19+0200
nigeria
music industry
senegal
united states (us)
culture
international
music
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Pop-rap star Akon called Nigerians the smartest people in the world, comparing the West African nation with New York City in a recent appearance on the popular music podcast "Drink Champs", co-hosted by N.O.R.E and DJ EFN.During the podcast, the artist talked about his early life in America, how he pretended to be an "African prince", and how he became a music star. The discussions, among other things, revolved around Africa and Nigeria in particular, its culture and people. According to Akon, there are many billionaires in Nigeria, more "than anywhere in the world."However, he said that there are some "bad apples" who are using their intelligence in a wrong way. Akon noted that they should use their talent and expertise for "something more positive or productive." At the same time, he added, it doesn't change the fact that Nigerians are very smart.Rapper Akon was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the US, to Senegalese parents who later moved to New Jersey. Akon, whose real name is Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, spent much of his childhood in Senegal, which he has referred to as his homeland.Speaking about his life in New Jersey, he confessed that he used to lie to people about being an "African prince" because he wanted to be accepted. According to the musician, they believed him, and no one questioned his "royal" origin.He went on to say that he got an idea to call himself the African prince after watching the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy "Coming to America."The rapper is known for such song as "Locked Up", "Lonely" and "Oh Africa". The latter is a charity single, released to raise funds for his charity Konfidence to help children in Africa. Akon collaborated with several Nigerian artists, including musical duo P-Square for the remix of their single "Chop My Money" in 2012. Earlier, they signed a record deal with Akon's Konvict Muzik label.
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nigeria, music industry, senegal, united states (us), culture, international, music
nigeria, music industry, senegal, united states (us), culture, international, music
Which Nation is the Smartest in Rapper Akon's Eyes?
13:34 20.07.2023 (Updated: 12:19 05.08.2023) Akon is an international music star, Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur, whose music defined the American R&B and hip-hop scene in the early 2000s, and whose collaborations with Nigerian artists helped bring Afrobeats to international audiences.
Pop-rap star Akon called Nigerians the smartest people in the world, comparing the West African nation with New York City in a recent appearance on the popular music podcast "Drink Champs", co-hosted by N.O.R.E and DJ EFN.
During the podcast, the artist talked about his early life in America, how he pretended to be an "African prince", and how he became a
music star. The discussions, among other things, revolved around Africa and Nigeria in particular, its culture and people.
"This could be debatable, but the Nigerians are the smartest people on the planet. I promise you, there is nobody more smarter than a Nigerian," he said.
According to Akon, there are many
billionaires in Nigeria, more "than anywhere in the world."
However, he said that there are some "bad apples" who are using their intelligence in a wrong way. Akon noted that they should use their talent and expertise for "something more positive or productive." At the same time, he added, it doesn't change the fact that Nigerians are very smart.
"Of course, there is a few bad apples that came out. They are extremely smart. But they put their intelligence all in wrong place," Akon elaborated.
Rapper Akon was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the US, to Senegalese parents who later moved to New Jersey. Akon, whose real name is Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, spent much of his childhood in Senegal, which he has referred to as his homeland.
Speaking about his life in New Jersey, he confessed that he used to lie to people about being an "African prince" because he wanted to be accepted. According to the
musician, they believed him, and no one questioned his "royal" origin.
He went on to say that he got an idea to call himself the African prince after watching the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy "Coming to America."
"Literally like every other month I would come to school in a different car [...]," he said, adding: "I’m like, 'Yeah, I'm an African prince.' And they believed it because of the whip that I was driving in!"
The rapper is known for such song as "Locked Up", "Lonely" and "Oh Africa". The latter is a charity single, released to raise funds for his charity Konfidence to help children in Africa.
Akon collaborated with several Nigerian artists, including musical duo P-Square for the remix of their single "Chop My Money" in 2012. Earlier, they signed a record deal with Akon's Konvict Muzik label.
