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Part 8: Akon: 40% of Rapper Deaths are Caused by Rap Battles
Part 6: Akon: I Sold Part of My Catalog to Build Akon City, I'm Making Country Versions of My Songs
Part 1: Akon on Why He Signed His New Group "Sheesh"
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Music icon Akon shared insights into the challenges artists face in the industry and why lawsuits like Drake's against Universal Records miss the point. Akon emphasized the importance of patience and support from labels, recounting how Steve Rifkind spent over a year touring and promoting Akon's early hit "Locked Up" despite initial indifference from the public. He stressed that artistry and growth require experience and understanding beyond just releasing music—artists need time to develop their identity and connect with audiences. Akon highlighted the value of genuine label support, contrasting it with recent disputes, suggesting that suing a label ignores the complex, long-term work behind building a career. For Akon, loyalty and collaboration remain crucial for artist success, making Drake's legal battle puzzling.
