Akon: The Truth About My Multiple Wives & The Real Cost of Fame
5/19/20261 hr 48 min
Akon reflects on the life behind some of the biggest songs of the 2000s, and the choices, controversies and turning points that shaped him long before global fame. He opens up about growing up between Senegal and the US, the criminal world he entered before music, and the prison sentence that he believes saved his life. Akon shares how ‘Locked Up’ began behind bars, why music became his way out, and how he learned to turn pain, business instinct and controversy into worldwide success. The conversation also explores his views on polyamory, having multiple wives, and why he believes honesty, rules and communication are essential in that dynamic. He also reflects on his friendship with Michael Jackson, the side of him the public rarely saw, and the questions he still has about his passing. Akon looks back on the moments that made him, the mistakes that nearly ended him, and the legacy he is still trying to build. Akon, We Need To Talk Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Akon here: https://www.instagram.com/akon/ https://www.tiktok.com/@akon (00:00) Intro (01:38) Akon Addresses The Hamster Ball (06:29) Touring With Ne-Yo (07:52) Why Akon’s Audience Isn’t Who You’d Expect (15:11) Opening The Door For Artists Like Wizkid (20:15) Every Song Had To Be Ringtone Friendly (22:26) Mr Lonely Changed Everything (26:53) The Blackout That Changed Akon’s Purpose (30:53) ID Mobile Ad (33:06) Akon’s Relationship With Michael Jackson (45:20) Growing Up Between Senegal And America (48:13) Selling Stolen Cars To Fund Music Career (55:50) How Jail Changed Akon’s Life Forever (01:04:58) Huel Ad (01:06:06) What Still Pains Akon Today? (01:08:12) “I Say Ignorant Things On Purpose” (01:11:32) What Is Akon’s Real Name? (01:16:43) Akon Explains His Polyamorous Life (01:32:22) Akon Talks About His New Album (01:36:46) Most Memorable Conversation (01:42:32) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you thinkhttps://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Huel - http://Huel.com/WNTT with code WNTT for £10 off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsAkon· Guest0:00
Hear the world come down.
Speaker 10:01
Now streaming on Paramount Plus, Beth and Rip are back in Dutton Ranch.
Speaker 20:05
[dramatic music] This life here is gonna work, isn't it?
Paul C. Brunson· Host0:09
We'll make it work.
Akon· Guest0:10
Hear the world come down.
Speaker 10:11
Starring Kelly Reilly- A legacy is a beautiful thing, but only if it survives ... Cole Hauser- Let's go to work ... Ed Harris- Family is the only thing worth fighting for ... and Annette Bening.
Speaker 20:21
I can make this a lot harder for all y'all. Then peace will have to wait.
Speaker 10:25
Dutton Ranch, new series now streaming on Paramount Plus.
Speaker 20:29
You've been looking forward to this [electronic tone] [knocking] [laughing] all week. And with Cutwater's cocktails, this [upbeat music] [liquid sloshing] took only seconds, because tonight's about catching up, not catching the server. Whether it's our Cutwater lime margarita, lemon drop martini, or rum mai tai, they're expertly mixed and ready before the snacks hit the table. [glass clinking] Cutwater, expertly mixed cocktails. A perfect pairing for an evening with good company. Please enjoy responsibly. Must be 19 plus.
Paul C. Brunson· Host1:00
You believe in polyamory. So then, Akon, can you say how many wives do you have? [laughs] [laughs] I'm serious.
Akon· Guest1:08
All right, yo, because I like you- [laughs] ... and you are my brother. I have no pride on my mind.
Paul C. Brunson· Host1:15
Not only are you a musician, artist, but also a businessman.
Akon· Guest1:20
I just wanted to be rich.
Paul C. Brunson· Host1:21
Yeah.
Akon· Guest1:21
But the problem is popularity comes with a cost.
Paul C. Brunson· Host1:23
Mm.
Akon· Guest1:24
Like Michael Jackson, he's my boy, but I just feel like there's a lot of holes on the explanation of his