Superstar American Senegalese music executive and entrepreneur Akon has over the years signed a number of Nigerian artists to his label.
The 'Trouble' singer floated a label of his own - Konvict Muzik after his release of highly successful and critically acclaimed debut album "Akon" in 2004.
The singer found interest in the Nigerian music scene and got on to sign a couple talented acts to support music industry creative talent out of Africa. These Nigerian signed creatives are representatives of his label in Africa.
Here are the music creatives reportedly signed.
Wizkid - In 2011, Wizkid was reportedly signed by Akon to Konvict Muzik and justifiably so as that was the year he released his very well received debut album "Superstar" which announced him to Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world. On Wizkid signing, Akon said "The whole concept is using Wizkid to help build a new generation of music."
However, Wizkid's management denied he was officially signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik Africa, and was only signed to Banky W's Empire Mates Entertainment.
2face Idibia - In the same vein in 2011, 2face was also announced as a signed act to Akon's Konvict Muzik Africa, which the management of the 'African queen' crooner denied but noted that there was a working relationship between Akon's Konvict/Kon Live Records and 2face.
Psquare - Africa's finest duo Psquare have also been affiliated to be signed up to Konvict Muzik Africa The brothers worked with Akon in the remix of their hit song 'Chop my money' in 2012. Other collaborations include 'Bedroom.'
Faze - Ex-Plantashun Boiz singer and songwriter Faze also has been linked to Akon's Konvict Muzik Africa but nothing seems to have materialized to back up this claim since then.
Faze initially told Nigerian media that he had been signed by Akon, but Akon in an interview with a Nigerian TV station denied ever signing Faze. The former Plantashun Boiz member however maintained that Akon was on to signing him revealing in a video clip where Akon and himself emerged out of a car, with Akon showering praises on him and both reaching an understanding regarding him getting a recording deal.
Apparently this never materialized. Faze formerly signed to Westside Records after the breaking off in 2004 of the R&B Pop group Plantashun Boiz of which he was a member has since been riding solo, and has more or less been since flying under the radar in the Nigerian music industry.
Patrick Elis - 2017 sawpopular Nigerian music video director and cinematographer Patrick Elis get announced as a signee to Akon's Konvict Africa via a video shared by Akon himself with Patrick also in the clip.
Samklef - Most recently, Samklef was unveiled as newly signed to Akon's Kon Live label. The producer artist was well praised and endorsed by Akon who regards Klef as "the best all-around entertainer from Nigeria."
Samklef is signed by Akon's KonLive Distribution and KES Entertainment Record Label, a joint venture partnership with KonLive, En-Treeg and Simcol Entertainment. Simon Guobadia is the chairman/CEO of Simcol Entertainment. The purpose of the partnership is to advance the careers of African and Caribbean talent.
D'banj has also been linked to Akon's Konvict Africa. Both acts have two songs together - 'Frosh' and 'Feelings of a man'. The union started after D'banj's short lived affiliation with Kanye West's G.O.O.D music.
Davido also has been reported to have been signed to Akon's Konvict Africa.
Akon has also indicated interest in signing up Brymo.
His reason for signing up Nigerian acts lies in the fact that Nigerians speak English language unlike other African countries, and hence breaks the barrier of entry into the European and American market.