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Part 8: Akon: 40% of Rapper Deaths are Caused by Rap Battles
Part 1: Akon on Why He Signed His New Group "Sheesh"
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Akon revealed insights into the evolving music industry and his lucrative live performances. While streaming dominates music consumption, the artist expressed dissatisfaction with streaming payouts, wishing artists earned a dollar per stream—something he called unrealistic under current models. Akon predicts a shift back to music sales involving real money, possibly via collectibles like vinyl, which he notes many buyers don’t even play. Transitioning to live shows, Akon confirmed he commands up to $1.2 million for a single performance, with private gigs fetching even higher fees. He also mentioned mega-stars like Lady Gaga earning upwards of $4 million per show, with historic one-time performances bringing in tens of millions, especially through licensing and advertising deals. Despite the streaming challenges, Akon sees live performances and exclusive events as vital revenue streams in today’s music landscape.
