As one of the pioneers of the ‘Africa to the world’ movement in the early millennium, it only makes sense that Akon finds his way back to his side of the continent to collaborate with some of the biggest names as the movement moves gears. On his fifth studio album titled Akonda; a metaphorical reference to Marvel Universe’s fictional state of Wakanda, the revolutionary is joined by Kizz Daniel, Skales and Olamide
A 10-track Afrobeat-inspired body of work which succeeds one that focused on Latin American elements, Akonda finds Akon flexing his Afro-Pop muscles as he shares the spotlight with Olamide on the fast-paced Scammers; a relatable expository of one of the continent’s biggest vices, Kizz Daniel on the Krisbeatz and Young Jonn-produced Take Your Place and Skales on the bass-driven Control. The expertise of the trio seeps into other tracks like Bottom and Wakonda on the album as we find Akon utilizing Yoruba slangs to drive his points home.
While promoting the continent has always been one of Akon’s foremost goals, Akonda is his first attempt at advancing Africa using African elements and with the diversity brought on by Olamide, Kizz Daniel and Skales, the album’s prospect in international markets is exciting.