Akon and Michael Jackson to collaborate? Nothing is official just yet but Akon has confirmed that the possibility is being explored and it could happen in another few months or sooner.
Shortly after arriving in Guyana on Tuesday night the Senegalese born-US singer broke news about the Jackson collaboration to the local media. Though huge in terms of music collaborations it only seemed like a matter of time because everybody has been working with Akon.
Akon and Eminem; Akon and India Arie; Akon and Snoop Dog; Akon and Beenie Man; Akon and Styles P; Akon and Gwen Stefani; Akon and Chamillionaire; Akon and Young Jeezy; Akon and rapper, T.I so why not Akon and Michael?
It is no question that Akon is hot stuff right now. Since the release of his first track, Banaza which is perhaps the worst song he has recorded he has been riding high. Two albums later he has a growing catalogue of hits; megastar status; respect in the business and an immeasurable fan base. Not bad for a one-time convict.
His story closely resembles that of many others in the business who were shot and lived to sing about it, went to jail and later embraced music as an alternative to crime. He served a three-year sentence for grand theft auto. Akon’s troubled past comes up in his music ever so often and it came up on Tuesday night.
“I came out of a negative situation and I turned it into a positive situation. That is something I never forget but I learned from it and my actions since that time have reflected this. I try to let my actions speak for me and not say much about how much I have changed because it is really all about your actions”, the singer said.
When asked what he is like off stage or when the camera stops rolling Akon reacts firstly by smiling then he refers to himself as pretty regular. He said he is no different from anybody you would meet on the streets but in his case, he has a criminal record.
Nothing about him is pretensive. Between questioning he smiles and looks everyone in the eyes when responding. He also comes over as a bit playful and when someone poses a question about what he had planned for Valentine’s the singer blushes before saying he plans to rock the crowd at the National Park.
At one time he even hugs a female reporter when she whispered the answer to one of the questions he was asked – is Akon married? He hesitated to say but nodded in agreement when the reporter said that he is. All the while he was smiling.
During the brief media session Akon said he knows what it is like to struggle since he endured quite a few during his early years in Senegal. He said the music business it not easy and though finding success was easy for him it is not the same for everyone trying to get in.
As for being a role model, the singer said, that he never thinks of himself as one. Akon said parents are the role models not singers and that he would always tell youths to look right inside their homes for someone to emulate. As a singer, he said, youths are going to look to him for some kind of advice. Still, he maintains that guidance should come from the real source of strength which is the parents.
Akon said he now lives and breathes music. He not only sings but produces as well and is currently working on Whitney Houston’s soon-to-be released album.
“I am working on Whitney Houston’s album right now so watch for that. I am also working with T.I. so keep your eyes open. I love making music and there is so much that is happening behind the scenes”, Akon said.
He has a humble persona which one could argue comes from being “nobody” to somebody within the space of two years. But during his interaction with the media he laughed a lot and was as friendly as a person could be.
That was some indication of what was to come during his performance at Digicel’s Experience Concert on Wednesday night. He took the stage, sang and later jumped into the crowd to be with the people. No one probably saw it coming but after the airport interview it did not come as a surprise.
Akon was asked what the Guyanese public could look forward to and he simply said, “Expect anything”. He said his performances were all spontaneous and that he never plans anything. For him, it is all about taking the stage and doing what comes to you. That particular thing about him is what makes him so much fun to watch.
In addition to his music Akon told the media he is about to launch two clothing lines in another two weeks time. Under the labels Konvict Muzik and Aliaune the singer will release a range of sweaters, jeans, shirts and jerseys.
The Aliaune clothing line is more upscale and pricey.
Akon left Guyana on Thursday morning after an unforgettable performance on Wednesday night. His megastar power might have had everything to do with it or maybe it was that unexpected moment when he hopped into the crowd and persons close enough realized they had the best spots in the National Park but Akon made Digicel’s Experience Concert quite an experience.
It didn’t matter that he opened his act with a song very few among the thousands crammed into the park knew.
He was fired up and rearing to go. All it took for the park to go wild was the two words that have become Akon’s anthem: Konvict Muzik.
From backstage he uttered his anthem and the excited frenzy that broke loose could have fooled anyone into believing Akon had requested Guyanese citizenship.
The excitement went into overdrive when he appeared onstage flashing that infectious smile.
Many never did get the chance to see that smile or the singer for that matter because the park was so crammed with people it was impossible for some to get a glimpse of anything much.
(ianaseales@yahoo.com)
