Why I signed Wizkid instead of Drake – Akon

Senegalese-American singer and music executive, Akon, has explained why he signed Nigerian singer Wizkid in 2008 instead of Canadian rapper Drake.

Speaking in a recent interview with The Shade Room, Akon explained that he signed Wizkid through Banky W’s Empire Mate Entertainment because of Drake’s financial demands.

He added that Drake was still an emerging artist and had not developed the sound that would later make him a global superstar “and was requesting a whooping $1 million to sign for me”.

Akon claimed that he introduced Wizkid into the American market. He, however, credited Banky W for discovering and nurturing Wizkid’s talent.

“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.’ They had limited resources, so when I signed Wiz, that was what broke him into the United States,” Akon stated.