By Ifeanyi Okenwa
Senegalese-American singer and record executive Akon has
said he chose to sign Nigerian music star Wizkid rather than Canadian rapper
Drake because Drake wanted a $1m signing fee at the time.
Speaking in a recent interview with The Shade Room,
Akon reflected on his early meetings with both artists before they became
global stars. He said Drake was still trying to establish himself in the music
industry when they discussed a possible record deal.
According to Akon, the negotiations did not progress because
Drake asked for a $1m signing fee, which he considered too expensive. He also
said Drake had not yet developed the sound that would later make him one of the
world's biggest recording artists.
"Drake was still an emerging artist and was requesting
a whopping $1 million to sign for me," Akon said.
Instead, he turned his attention to Wizkid after travelling
to Nigeria and meeting the young singer through Empire Mates Entertainment
(EME), the record label founded by Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Banky W.
Akon credited Banky W with discovering and nurturing
Wizkid's talent before introducing the singer to him.
"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,'" he said.
The music executive added that signing Wizkid helped open
the door to the United States music market at a time when the Nigerian artist
had limited resources.
"They had limited resources, so when I signed Wiz, that
was what broke him into the United States," Akon said.
Both artists have since enjoyed major international success.
Wizkid has become one of Africa's most recognised music exports, winning global
awards and collaborating with leading international performers, while Drake has
built one of the most commercially successful careers in modern music, becoming
one of the world's best-selling recording artists.
Post a Comment