Looking back on his growing up years, he says, “I was locked up in prison at a very young age. But in that solitude, I found time to pen lyrics and discover my musical talents.” He goes on to reflect, “Even though I was not given a long sentence, the period of my life between 1999 and 2002 was literally spent in prison. Alone in my cell, I would write songs, and when I was finally released in 2002, the songs led me to a recording studio,” he says.
So, is that how Konvicted and Trouble came about? “The whole purpose of the Konvicted movement was all positive — just to show that you can come out of a situation and create a better life for yourself. You don’t have to be ignorant and think that because you made those kind of mistakes in the past that you can’t be a changed me. But I ensure that while planning a name, we are careful so that no one takes the negative connotation of it.”
Having moved from Senegal to the US at the age of seven, must have been an exciting experience? “When I came here everything was really different. The culture, the environment, the food and the people everything was new to me. It took me a while to adjust. Kids always find themselves in a position where they just say what they feel, and in the US kids were really ignorant to African culture. I used to get teased about it and because of that I used to always get into fights and get into trouble. Slowly after that it put me in a position where I had a lot of friends, because of the fact that I fought a lot. So I’m now always around troublemakers,” he laughs. Is that how he got himself into trouble? “I think that led me into having a different state of mind which allowed me to start getting into trouble. I ended up getting locked up, and before you know it I was a convict,” he says.
What about family intervention, in all these troubled times? “My father, being from Africa, brought us up to always have a plan B when things went bad. I used all those lessons to turn my messed up situation into a positive one,” says the singer who according to Forbes magazine grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008.
The second time visitor to India, has he taken to our country? “I loved India the first time I came here. I have to get back to start rehearsal for my tour with Usher coming up at the end of April. It’s my birthday weekend and I decided to spend it here in India. “He also adds, “Shah Rukh Khan is a good friend. Had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Kareena Kapoor too. I would love to act in a Hindi film.”
So, how does this sensation celebrate his highs and deal with the lows, “I relax with good music and company. I tune into my band and make good music and turn every situation into a positive one. African culture is all about storytelling and I use my musical talent to express myself.”
From the little boy from Senegal to the life of flashbulbs must be a learning experience. He says, “I am very much the same person I was before being in the spotlight. Beyond a point you just realise that success, fame and money is pointless if your beliefs and priorities are not in place.”
Akon is set to perform in Gurgaon on April 16 at Huda Grounds