Ask Akon, And Answers Arrive!
A while ago we asked you to send in your questions for Akon, the squeaky rap/singist with the over-bulging address book. And you did not disappoint...even though I had to make some up as well...
So, here, for your eternal delight, is the man himself, talking about such varied topics as chef's hats, punching Usher, and working on song ideas while a lady waves her intimate areas in your face. Classy!
=====================================
Sophie Russell: Hi, my name is Sophie and I'm 14yrs old and I live in Coventry...how's your day been, and how is life at the moment?
Akon: Oh man it's been very, very busy. And life is like, you're trying to get to a point where you're actually trying to FIND it! [laughs] Cos you've got so much going on you're just trying to find your own life. So it gets so busy where you've just got to focus, and tunnel-vision on your career, and make the best out of it while you can.
ChartBlog: What would you do to relax?
Akon: Probably go to sleep! Believe me, if you get time available you want to get all you can. A lot of the days, you get the same routine and it don't stop.
Leonnie: What sort of impression of yourself do you try to create with your songs?
Akon: Whatever I'm feeling at that particular moment at that particular time, I normally express it on the record. So a lot of times it depends on the day you hear the record or the day I record it. It depends definitely on what I'm going through.
ChartBlog: How do you go from being an aspiring singer to guest-appearances from Eminem and Snoop? Good networking?
Akon: No, it's just me collaborating with people...that always opens up doors to meet other people. And being around the business a long time, and just making great music, a lot of people will call you. Like, in my position a lot of people call me for those collaborations. I just continue to make hit records, and they reach out to me, and want to collaborate with me, you know?
ChartBlog: How did you get on with Snoop?
Akon: With Snoop, we used to bump into each other all the time, but never really had the time or a chance to work with each other. Our schedules were always conflicting with each other. But the timing couldn't have been no better cos we were both working on our albums. So it just so happened that I had a record I had just completed, which was 'I Wanna Love You', and wanted someone to feature on it. So we got Snoop, and met him at the studio...
ChartBlog: In between vocal takes, what do you chat to Snoop Dogg about? Girls or football?
Akon: [laughing] Girls!
Damien: How many girls have you been out with?
Akon: Wow...I don't even count, man. I just have fun.
Hammad: Hey Akon, you've worked with Gwen Stefani, Obie Trice, Eminem and many more brilliant artists, but can we expect any more brilliant pieces of work with any other artists, in the upcoming future?
Akon: Y'know, my mind is wide open, my ears are always open, I'm open to anybody that can pretty much take me to the next level, but y'know...I'm definitely working on some projects that might just shock everybody in the future.
ChartBlog: Really? Any hints?
Akon: That would take away the shock effect! That's what I love about it. I kind of like to come to where they're not expecting me to come, and that just makes me laugh so much longer.
ChartBlog: It's Slipknot, isn't it? You can tell me...
Akon: [Laughs] No.
Dan Gould: I know you collaborated with big names like Snoop Dogg and Eminem, bur I wanna know would you ever collaborate with Dr. Dre or 50 Cent?
Akon: Actually, that's coming soon. I'm doing something with Dr Dre AND 50 Cent. Dr Dre for his 'Detox' album and 50 Cent for his new album.
ChartBlog: If a TV company were to offer you a $1,000,000 donation to a charity of your choice to get in a boxing ring with another singer, would you do it?
Akon: Yeah, I would do it.
ChartBlog: Who would you fight?
Akon: Another boxer or another singer?
ChartBlog: Another singer, so it's a fair fight. Unless you're an amazing boxer...are you an amazing boxer?
Akon: Man, you could put me in a ring with anybody! I'd probably box Mike Tyson. [laughs] I'd just want to see how many rounds I could go! Just to see how far I get...
ChartBlog: Do they do fractions of a round? Like 0.2 of a round?
Akon: I'd probably run for 15 rounds! Then he'd get tired and I'd start whaling out on him. [machine-gun boxing noise] BRRRRRRRRRRRD!
ChartBlog: Who wouldn't you fight?
Akon: Yeah, Mike Tyson! [collapses with laughter] Yeah, but if I had to pick a singer...I'd probably box 50 Cent. I wanna see just how thorough he is in the ring.
ChartBlog: Who would win in a fight between you and Usher?
Akon: Oh come on, what kind of question is that? Is that a trick question?
ChartBlog: Nope, there's no trick, no follow-up...mind you, would you admit to being beaten up by Usher if you were beaten up by Usher?
Akon: I would murder that kid! [laughs]
ChartBlog: A lot of stars get involved in cosmetics franchises or clothing. Is there a product you would never lend your name to?
Akon: I would say probably maxipads.
ChartBlog:How about a range of cooking products, called Akon Bakin'?
Akon: I would try that though. I'm a great chef.
ChartBlog: ...Including a special SmackHat, to be worn by chefs?
Akon: [laughs] That's hilarious!
Samantha Marsh: All of the songs you have done are really cool and I love them all especially 'I Wanna Love You'. What inspired you to write it?
Akon: That song was inspired when I was at a strip club...
ChartBlog: Nice...
Akon: A lot of my party records are inspired by strip clubs.
ChartBlog: So it's a reaction to...the kind of things you might see inside a strip club...
Akon: Exactly...
ChartBlog: And then you take the words you've put in it, and then take a lot of those words out and replace them with words that you can play on the radio, yes?
Akon: Exactly!
Mark Kerr: I really like your music but what made you to sing?
Akon: Actually, I have no idea! Cos I was trying to decide whether to rap or sing...singing probably just felt more comfortable for me.
Nick: Do you think promoting sexual promiscuity and violence is good for a generation already being brought up in very tough times?
Akon: Actually I don't think it makes a difference, because the way the world is moving around now, that stuff is always there. Like in Hollywood, in music, in movies...you can't really run from it. All you've got to do is hope that the parents take the time to explain to these kids what's going on as they're growing up. Otherwise there's really no running from it, it's inevitable.
Osman Qureshi: Yo Akon! I totally love the new album by the way. I heard that you were a Muslim, if this is true how much of a part does Islam play in your life?
Akon: It definitely is the guidance to how I move today...how I act, how I travel, how I treat other people...All that plays a role. It definitely made me a lot better person. That helped clean me up in a lot of different ways.
=====================================
Your ChartBlog interviewer of the day was: Fraser M
Comments
hi i love your songs they are fab ilove your new one i wonna f****you ...hows your days been and how is life at the moment ?
hi ..my name is sophie and im 14yrs old and i live in coventry ....i love your new song [i wonna love you] so hows your carier going and how are you? write back from your fan sophie xxx
Just ask 'why?'.
have u ever consider changing ur name to acorn?
its a bit more street in my opinion
xxx
when was the actual last time smacked a girl and what on earth did she say!?
Would you ever shoot someone? I hope not because you seem a nice guy.
Why, Emily ??
Don't you like being smacked ?!!!
I like this song. It's being played on everybody's phone. I don't think it'll have as much success as smack that. Also have u noticed that on them two songs at the beginning he say Konvict.
Luv Jess
To Akon - What sort of Impression of yourself do you try to create with your songs? And don't you think that 'Smack That', though catchy, seemed a tad sexist?
To Akon - What sort of Impression of yourself do you try to create with your songs? And don't you think that 'Smack That', though catchy, seemed a tad sexist?
(( Sorry if this is a double post, site is playing up ))
To Akon - What sort of Impression of yourself do you try to create with your songs? And don't you think that 'Smack That', though catchy, seemed a tad sexist?
You shoud do the whole interview in that annoying chipmunk voice out of 'Lonely'. See how he likes it
Another flop i think!! the music is good, but the lyrics are pathetic.
yello akon..
just wanted to know , is it true you have like 7 wives?
Love your music, everyone is into u at the minute.
xx
How do you get such an amazing voice mate.
hi akon r u ok
how many girls have you been out with
Why o why o why did you release that lonely track? It is the most annoying song ever. Also dont you find that your "smack that" video is more than a little sexist as well as being just plain bad?
Hey Akon,
By the way, ur songs are brilliant. Me and ma matez are alwayz listenin 2 dem, especially ur latest hits like "smack that" and "I wanna love you". So, you've worked with gwen stefani, obie trice, eminem and many more brilliant artists, but can we expect any more brilliant pieces of work with any other artists, in the upcoming future???
hi when are you going to bring another song out me and my mates luv ur songs x
All of the songs you have done are really cool and i love them all especially i wanna love you what inspired you to write them? e mail back your numba 1* fan Sammy xxx
All of the songs you have done are really cool and i love them all especially i wanna love you what inspired you to write them? e mail back your numba 1* fan Sammy xxx
I really like your music but what made you to sing?
Do you think promoting sexual promiscuity and violence is good for a generation already being brought up in very tough times?
i love all your songs
What was it like working with India Arie?
I know you collaborated with big names like Snoop Dogg and Eminem, bur I wanna know would you ever collaborate wit Dr. Dre or 50 Cent
~@!~Dan G~!@~
Yo Akon! I totally love the new album by the way. I heard that you were a Muslim, if this is true how much of a part does Islam play in your life?
Are you going to release the song Don't matter off your album into the charts?
iyaaa akon i love your new song 'i wanna f*** you'! its cool i hope you do lots of new songs li love you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
iya ikon wot you up two i love your new song smack that see ya lv ya XxXx
hi akon i love all your songs and i love that 1 that you did with gwen
I think that your new single that you have hust relised is wkd !! keep up wiv the gr8 songs there wkd !!
Hi just wanna are there any other people in the music industry you would really wanna work wiv
hi do u like ur new song that u did
Hey i love the new song its amazing ! how long did it take you to become famous?
Which stores will Akon's "Konvict" clothing line be selling in?
Who would Akon most like to feature in a song with?
Wow you guys really played it safe huh? I only saw one mildly controversial question in there. Come on guys grow a back bone and ask him why he feels he need to back up his masculinity by having a bunch of half dressed women crowding around him in his videos as if he's God's gift?
Quote:
Nick: Do you think promoting sexual promiscuity and violence is good for a generation already being brought up in very tough times?
Akon: Actually I don't think it makes a difference, because the way the world is moving around now, that stuff is always there. Like in Hollywood, in music, in movies...you can't really run from it. All you've got to do is hope that the parents take the time to explain to these kids what's going on as they're growing up. Otherwise there's really no running from it, it's inevitable.
No Akon it does make a difference. When you become famous accept the responsibility that people look up to you and will try to copy you. Every body has free will sure enough, but even with good parents, kids will still think he's 'cooler' and think violence and women in bikinis 24/7 is how life should be.
hey,watz ya bin up to?howz da singin goin i love your voice itz amazin x x x x
hi akon how many songs have u done and wen is ur next concert wb amy xxx
ASALAM O ALAIKUM, AKON WHATS UP??? HOW HAS YOUR DAY BEEN SO FAR MASHALA???? WELL I HOPE THAT ALLLL IS WELL WITH U MASHALA...SO R U REALLLLLLY MUSLIM??? IF SO, THATS SOOOO KEWL AND LIKE AWESOME...SO DO U PRAY 5 TIMEZ A DAY LIKE WE MUSLIMS R SUPPOSED TOO???
How inspided you to sing Akon. Tell me and and e mail me
Wow akon is ssoooo Fit..:P lmaoo...Owell...I love F*** You its wkkd LOL...x
heya um well i really dont no wat ia mriten bout but i luv acons 2 singles 'smack that and the otha 1 '
lol lamo
from the one ( Jess Edge ) xxxx Save the plant kill ur clothin !xxxxxxxx
I heard Akon mention in a radio 1 interview that he is working on a project called "Confidence" with Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade.I want more information about "Confidence" and the work that Akon and Wade are doing to improve the lives of the impoverished Senegalese people.I am Bristish and my partner is Senegalese. On recent visits to Senegal to my partners family and friends I have been disturbed by the poverty and desperation of the people,many of whom are prepared to leave their families and risk death at sea in an attempt to reach Europe, where they believe they can earn a living and provide a better life for their families. I cannot find any information about Confidence/Wade/Akon from a quick Google search on the internet.My partner and I want to help and would appreciate any information and contact details for Confidence.
wazz up akon ??? LOL
salut akon je m'appelle coumba je suis au canada et plus precisement a edmonton.je suis une fan de toi et j'aime bcp ta music .j'ai ete au senegal et j'ai grandi au senegal .akon ya ko yor
i love you xxxxx
i mod a bowt i sexy you
Hi I am really really one of u biggest fans, I just lov all of u songs, when me and my friends r out on the weekends, we have to make sure that we get the dJ to Blaze out, i swear we dont care we just get in the middle of the dance floor, we dont care, but babe u r hot, and u r goin go far, u sexy, u can sing , u have it all, well i think u do anyway, one thing do u have someone special in u life?xxxxx maggie, well they call me bumper, cus i hav a bumper.
hi wazz up
how many song did you do
hi cbbc i would like to know if you can put music on your website as mr bickley my headmaster has blocked music website and he hasnt blocked yours so please can you put music on your website
Hey Akon!!! Okey, I've been looking everywhere for your clothing line but I can't find it. I've even looked on the internet but nothin. Where do you think I can go to find Konvict Wear?????
P.S.
U rock and your new album is the bomb digity!!!
jtyjet
when i hear your song i want to dance everywhere
i love your music it is very cool
Hi!Do you have a wife or a girlfriend?
I thought the song was briliet., the artist was phonomeno.Butr neverthless i had difficulty of longing on. This occures very often especially, in school as we do not have authority to get log on.
Hi akon
i am Misba i am 11 years old.
Whats your fav song You've done
Hey Akon,
Im going to ur concert in Calgary and i cant wait to see you! My friend and I are going, along with my mom and bother.
My friend and I used "Smack That" for our school line dance!
My mom tries to sing your part in "The Great Escape" By Gwen and you. But she fails terribly.
I was just really really hopeing that you could give me 4 backstage passes to meet you on September 18th at the Calgary Stampede Corral!
I would so dearly appreiciate it!
Akon
how do u get on with dr dre and jay-z?
who do lke the most as a producer?
Please write bck for ur biggest fan.
I wish i can meet you...
Akon
In school i am doing a biography about anyone i like. Because i am ur biggest fan can u please tell me some information about u like:
Where do u live (country/city) (address/ numbet/street etc.)
about ur life (how did u start of singing etc.)
and...
who is ur favourite rapper (hip hop/rnb etc.)
thank
I'd like to know what is your song "Sorry, blame it on me" really about? If you don't mind us all of your fans knowing what is it really about!?
hi my name is zak and i will like to no akon if u have the video "workit" song coz i wanna put it in my site
What happened at the night club... was not your fault. You probably heard that a lot. But i mean that all the way down from my heart, no joke. Like you said in 'Sorry Blame it on Me.' "I'm just a singer tryna entertain." Well thats all I wanna say. Keep on keepin' on Akon. Lotsa love... always and forever.
hi akon and snoop dog i am one of your great fans. from:creadon robinson
Oh my gosh! Akon, I love you! yOU R MY ROLE MODEL! i DONT CARE IF YOU WENT TO JAIL! U R AMasingly talented and I went to ur concert in israel! I cant believe you fell in the crowd!
Where can i find konvict clothing? I really want to buy some!! Btw you are amazin'!
hi my name is samantha jones i think u are a very good singer and i wuld like u to add me email adress on so i can talk to my best singer thankyou
man i just love youre lyrics! and i support you all my friends says ure a pervert who did that to the gilr on stage and i support you taht it wassent youre fault she where at a 18 age limited club! all i wanted to say stay up man keep saying whats on ya mind!
Man iam your biggest fan and this reminds me of "stan" a eminem fan! i love the way you pose. and about youre songs i need a daily dose! i love the way you act and its a fact
thatiknow all youre songs in my head right now iam lying on my bed half dead! on evry party i
sing your songs of the top of my lungs! ey G write a new song i lovd your latest and greatest sorry blame it on me!