Akon Sets the Record Straight: “Banky W Discovered Wizkid — I Only Helped Break Him Into America”

Senegalese‑American music icon Akon has clarified his role in Wizkid’s rise, stressing that he did not discover the Nigerian superstar.

Speaking in an interview with The Shade Room, Akon revealed that Banky W was the one who spotted, nurtured, and developed Wizkid long before introducing him during Akon’s visit to Nigeria. Akon said he instantly recognised Wizkid’s star power but maintained that the credit for discovering him belongs entirely to Banky W.

Akon explained that his contribution was helping push Wizkid into the American market at a time when Nigeria’s music industry had limited global reach.

He also reflected on a major missed opportunity — turning down Drake in 2008 because the then‑upcoming rapper requested $1 million to sign. Akon said Drake sounded like Eminem at the time and was still unknown, making the deal financially impossible for him.

He said:
“Banky W discovered Wizkid… Banky brought me Wiz, and I’m like: ‘Bro! This kid is a star.’ When I signed Wiz, that was what broke him into the United States.”

“Drake was the only one I had a shoutout at… He wasn’t big then and was requesting a whooping $1 million to sign. I don’t have a million dollars.”

“He was the Drake that sounded like Eminem… When he did ‘Best I Ever Had’, that’s when I really got into him — but by then it was too late.”