Music icon Akon has provided insight into his involvement in the early days of Wizkid’s career, clarifying that Banky W was the individual who truly discovered the Nigerian star. During an interview with Shade Room, Akon explained that Banky W introduced him to the young artist during a trip to Nigeria. Recognizing Wizkid’s immense potential, Akon signed him to help facilitate his entry into the United States market, long before the global explosion of the Afrobeats genre.
Akon explicitly stated that he did not discover the singer, but rather provided the resources that allowed Wizkid’s talent to reach an international audience. Reflecting on other past business opportunities, the singer also shared why he failed to sign Drake back in 2008. Although he recognized the potential, Akon noted that the million-dollar asking price was too high for an artist who had not yet found the signature sound that would later define his career. By the time Drake released hits like ‘Best I Ever Had’, his market value had risen beyond what Akon was willing to invest.
Wizkid, originally Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, launched his career under Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009. After achieving fame with ‘Holla at Your Boy’, he went on to found his own label, Starboy Entertainment, in 2013 and has since cemented his status as a major global artist with numerous high-profile collaborations.
