Senegalese-American music icon Akon has shared fresh details about how he became involved in Wizkid’s early music career, revealing that Banky W deserves full credit for discovering the Afrobeats superstar before introducing him to the international music scene.
The Grammy-nominated singer made the revelation during a trending interview with The Shade Room, where he clarified long-standing claims that he personally discovered Wizkid.
Instead, Akon explained that Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, had already identified Wizkid’s exceptional talent and nurtured him before seeking his support to help expand the singer’s career beyond Nigeria.
Watch the full interview on The Shade Room: https://theshaderoom.com/
Banky W discovered Wizkid, says Akon
During the interview, Akon dismissed suggestions that he found Wizkid himself, insisting that Banky W deserves the recognition for discovering and developing the young singer.
According to him, everything started during one of his visits to Nigeria when Banky W introduced him to Wizkid.
“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.'”
Akon said he immediately recognized Wizkid’s extraordinary talent and believed he had the potential to become an international star.
How Akon helped launch Wizkid internationally
While acknowledging Banky W’s role in discovering Wizkid, Akon explained that his own contribution was helping expose the singer to the American music market.
At the time, Afrobeats had not yet achieved the worldwide popularity it enjoys today, and Nigerian artistes faced major challenges entering international markets.
According to Akon, Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) had limited resources, making it difficult to promote Wizkid globally.
“They had limited resources, so when I signed Wiz, that was what broke him into the United States.”
His involvement provided Wizkid with opportunities that helped position him for future global success.
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Akon reveals why he didn’t sign Drake
During the interview, Akon also reflected on another major moment in his career—passing on the opportunity to sign Canadian rapper Drake.
According to him, Drake was still an upcoming artiste around 2008 and requested a recording deal worth $1 million, an amount Akon said he simply could not afford at the time.
“He was requesting a whooping $1 million to sign for me.”
Akon explained that although he believed Drake had potential, the rapper had not yet developed the unique musical style that later made him one of the biggest artists in the world.
He described Drake’s early recordings as sounding similar to legendary rapper Eminem.
“He was the Drake that sounded like Eminem.”
It was only after Drake released the hit single Best I Ever Had that Akon fully appreciated the direction of his music.
Unfortunately, by then, Drake’s value had increased significantly.
“By that time it was too late. He was too expensive.”
Wizkid’s journey to global fame
Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, was signed by Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) in 2009 after impressing Banky W with his remarkable singing ability as a teenager in Lagos.
His debut single, Holla at Your Boy, was released in January 2010 and quickly became one of Nigeria’s biggest songs.
The success of his debut album Superstar, released in 2011, established him as one of Nigeria’s leading Afrobeats stars.
The album produced several hit songs, including:
- Holla at Your Boy
- Tease Me/Bad Guys
- Don’t Dull
- Pakurumo
- Love My Baby
During his time at EME, Wizkid collaborated with several notable artists, including Banky W, Skales, Shaydee, Niyola, DJ Xclusive, 2Baba, D’banj, Wande Coal, Naeto C and the late Sound Sultan.
Building the Starboy empire
After leaving EME in 2013 following the expiration of his recording contract, Wizkid established his own record label, Starboy Entertainment.
The move gave him greater creative freedom and full control over his music and business decisions.
Over the years, Wizkid has grown into one of Africa’s biggest musical exports.
His collaboration with Beyoncé on Brown Skin Girl earned him a Grammy Award in 2021, while Essence, featuring Tems, became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
He has also collaborated with several international stars, including Drake, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and Skepta, helping expand the global influence of Afrobeats.
Akon’s comments reignite industry conversation
Akon’s revelation has once again highlighted Banky W’s crucial role in shaping one of Africa’s biggest music careers.
Although Wizkid eventually built his own global empire, many fans believe the interview serves as an important reminder that his remarkable journey began with Banky W’s belief in his talent and Akon’s support in introducing him to the international music industry.
Today, Wizkid remains one of Nigeria’s most successful musicians, with numerous international awards, sold-out world tours and a lasting impact on the growth of Afrobeats across the globe.
