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Photo: RAJEEV BHATT

Take this Akon before his show in New Delhi.

Son of lead Jazz percussionist Mor Thiam, Akon reveals, “It was probably harder to get into the industry because he (his father) was in Jazz. And Hip Hop and Jazz are as different as apples and oranges.” His father might not have expedited his entry into the world of Hip Hop, but his dad is his role model. “I learnt my work ethics from him,” he adds.

Brought up in Senegal till the age of seven, Akon did not take naturally to Hip Hop. When he first moved to America he did not know enough English to understand the music. “When you hear someone talking over the drum, you can only wonder, ‘What’s that,’” he explains.

But Akon has gone on to create his own distinct sound of Hip Hop. His second album “Konvicted” has sold close to six million units worldwide. It includes hit tracks like “Smack That” (featuring Eminem) and “I Wanna Love You”. He is currently also collaborating with international tsars like Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. Revealing nothing he says, “I can’t talk about Michael…because of certain conditions in the contract. But I can talk on Whitney all day.”

Akon’s music is born from incidents and rendered with soul. Convicted and incarcerated at the age of 18, his hugely popular album “Trouble” (2004) is based on those experiences. He explains that he prefers to sing than talk about his life. “If I were to hold a press conference on everything, everyone would put their own spin on it. I’d rather put it to music.”

This writer producer conveniently sidesteps questions about the recent “trouble” he has been in. “With me it’s different,” he says, flashing a wide smile, “I am not always in trouble, I just seem in trouble.”

This double platinum record selling artist also has an odd hobby or two. He owns a diamond mine! Explaining this venture in South Africa, he says, “One of the main reasons I went into this, is because of the whole blood diamond conflict. I know Africa is one of the richest continents. But everyone only takes resources out of the country. I want to give back to Africa. It will all go into rebuilding the continent.”

Cashing in on his celebrity status Akon is also working on a reality show, “My Brother’s Keeper”. It is based on how his brothers try to live off his stardom! Akon explains the context, “If you see me and my brothers in different places, you wouldn’t be able to tell us apart. But in the same room, we don’t look very similar!”

A livewire performer, Akon decided to return to India after his previous performance in Mumbai, which he found “amazing”. Giving the audience what they want, he declares, “I have always loved Indian melodies, especially female artistes. They have this certain tone in their voice.” Before being caught out, he quickly adds, “I don’t know no names!”

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