Akon has opened up about a major missed opportunity in his career as a music executive: he had the chance to sign global superstar Drake but decided against it. The award-winning singer and record label owner revealed the details in a recent interview, explaining that the version of Drake he first heard was nothing like the artist who would later dominate charts worldwide.
How Akon Almost Signed Drake
According to Akon, fellow Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall was the one who first introduced him to Drake's music. “I had a shot at Drake through Kardinal Offishall,” Akon said. However, he admitted he wasn't convinced by what he heard at the time. “It wasn't that I didn't see the vision. Drake wasn't that Drake then,” he explained. Akon said the early recordings he listened to had a completely different sound from the melodic style Drake later became famous for. “He was the Drake that sounded like Eminem. At the records that I heard that Kardinal had played me, it was more like an Eminem vibe.”
The Turning Point: 'Best I Ever Had'
Everything changed when Drake released his 2009 breakout hit “Best I Ever Had.” Akon said that was the moment he realized Drake had found his signature sound. “When he did 'Best I Ever Had,' that's when I paid attention because now I was like, 'Oh, this is my moment.' Melody, you know.” But by then, Drake's growing popularity had driven up his value, making it financially impossible for Akon to sign the future superstar. “By that time it was too late. It was too expensive. I was like, 'I ain't got a million dollars.'”
Akon Sets the Record Straight on Wizkid
During the same interview, Akon also addressed a long-standing misconception about Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid. He clarified that he did not discover Wizkid, giving full credit to Banky W instead. “Banky W discovered Wizkid,” Akon said. “When I went to Nigeria, Banky brought me Wiz, and I was like, 'Bro, this kid is a star.'” Akon explained that while Banky W's team had limited resources to push Wizkid internationally, signing him helped open doors in the United States, contributing to the singer's early global breakthrough.
Impact on Afrobeats and Global Music
The revelations offer fans a fascinating glimpse into two career-defining moments—one opportunity Akon let slip away, and another that helped shape the global rise of Afrobeats. By choosing to invest in Wizkid instead of Drake, Akon played a pivotal role in bringing Nigerian music to the world stage. Meanwhile, Drake went on to become one of the best-selling artists of all time, with multiple Grammy awards and record-breaking chart achievements.
