Akon EXPOSES The Music Industry: "Artists Are The LAST To Get Paid"
Akon describes how the music business really works for artists with streaming services. Watch the full interview here: • How AKON Found His Lif...
Research & Interview Conducted By: Jeremy Hecht (@jeremy_hecht )
Video Edit By: Sage Velastegui
/ sage.ve
Shot By: Jordan Saint-Pierre
/ jordansaintpierre
Artist Relations: Elise Ricks
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Executive Producer: Sharath Cherian
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What do you think about what he's saying? Watch the full interview here: kzhead.info/sun/Zseaip1pjH6Giok/bejne.html
I hope everyone is taking notes and not just listing, matter of fact take notes and paid attention cause what Akon is saying facts !!
AKON IS RIGHT 💯
AKON IS RIGHT 💯
Keepin It 💯
Exactly.... I thought it was just me who noticed that he has a Male Weave..... It looks horrible. Needs to get his money back.
Akon just gave the blueprint, the statistics and the business. Everyone who desires to be an artist should take lessons. Good luck!
😂🤣😂🤣Yeah...okay
Who is he lying too. These people are in Illuminati and talking that shit. I hate when these celebrities comes out here and acting like they doing some by giving people advices. Without Illuminati these people wouldn’t even be famous nor have that money.
I have a joke: what are the odds that that man could be that black? But he is anyway.
@@eigna8914 it's a fact, you don't need anyone today. A single person could make entire album alone with no help, takes practice, hard work and dedication.
@@princemakaida9515 He's an actual black man, unlike y'all in America who are not black but mixed and claim to be black! GTFOH
My boy Akon went and bought a 12 year old boy hair line😂🤣🤣
Do you think it's a wig or hair implant?
@@badmandeya either way it does not fit the shape of his head and face
12 year old Brazilian boy
It looks like a hat 😂😂
@@kenbingwa Our man Akon has said if women can wear a hair hat, why can't I?
Love every time Akon speaks nothing but wisdom & knowledge every time
I went to school for music and they told us repeatedly, "The music industry is not a good place to make money"
Why was Lil Bibby the first person to come to mind? He did it smart. The real money is behind the scenes and it's safer without fame cuz your life isn't in danger. No shows at run-down hood clubs or venues. Bibby played chess well. Rip Juice Wrld.
this is why it’s way more important to build a sustainable following than shoot for the stars all the time. an artist can grow into more success if they focus on a niche more so than acquiring the entire the world’s attention. we’re slowly transitioning into the era of less superstars but that’s okay, it’ll propel the music industry forward in the long run on an economical standpoint.
Yeah and that's how business is done. The majority of entrepreneurs find success by initially focusing on serving a niche very well. Any other path is a lottery
@@panafrican.nation facts!
💯 Pick a spot and own it.
every time akon uploads a song i feel like dropping a song. he’s my biggest inspiration and one day we’ll collab. legend
Keep dropping
❤️❤️❤️ keep going
Same impact here🤞🏽🙏🏽
@@p.capes1thanks
Akon's advice is solid. His brother, Abou, is the true muscle and brains behind his entertainment operation!
This has been the most encouraging, positive commentary I have heard in a while. Thank you.💞💫🦋
That's why most artists don't rely on just the music. They venture into other businesses. Even Michael Jackson studied the industry to become truly King of Pop. Not just musically but from a business perspective.
the way he swooped in to get the beatle's catalog was masterful. They all thought he was dumb/not paying attention...but he was just waiting, listening, watching.
👌
Not in the beginning....
But still the greatest musician of all time died with 1/2B in debts.
@@atmmoggio8393 no he did not. That’s what the media tells you. See he had the rights to the Beatles. His wealth was worth more than a billion. But the music industry didn’t allow him to get advantage from It. That’s why they killed him. Same with prince for getting back his masters.
🔥🔥🔥this has really been helpful and has gave me a ryt direction thanks for uploading it here subscribed infact
akon’s too smart, talented, and rich enough to know that hair piece looks nuts. get gotta get in contact with jaime foxx the Hairline Chameleon
I FR THANK AKON FOR MAKING ME FEEL LIKE IM NOT ALONE WITH THESE TYPES OF THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS OF MYSELF , ITS GRATEFUL TO HAVE A LESSON THAT UNEXPECTEDLY CAME THROUGH MY DAY TODAY SO THAT MEANS I HAD TO LESSON TO THIS , GOD BLESS AKON 🖤🖤 !!
This should be the Poster Video for all Artist and Producers:) Great InFO
Greatest Advise ever😪. God helps us upcoming artists. Keeping this video on my gallery so I could listen to it several times over again.
This is probably one of the most real videos about the industry I’ve seen in a minute. Akon puttin us all on some serious game out here 💯
Amen he’s stating FACTS people expect big rewards for little effort .. 💯
Everyone really needs to hear this that's in the music industry.
Very good advice and very encouraging. I love it❣️
"everybody ain't gon be good at music. idc what your friends tell you. you suck." IM DEAD 😂😂😂😭😭😭
To the artist reading this: You can be successful, don't take in everything celebrities say. I know you will succeed all you have to do is believe, learn about the business a little, practice, practice, practice. You don't need a record label these days, you don't need to be super rich. You need to first get started, grow your fanbase. Find people who like you for you. Akon can't see your vision, no one can see your vision but yourself and GOD. The numbers Akon mentioned are not facts, also the billboard charts don't matter. I taught myself marketing, branding, and went to a top 3 music university to study music business. I have have songs produced with multi-platinum artist, and have worked with grammy award winners and i'm currently working with a Sony executive for Artist Development on his label. Take my word. This industry is easy af. Don't listen to everything these celebrities say. They don't know what the hell is going on these days, half of them don't even make music anymore, they have moved to other endeavors. People are blowing up left and right, and as as a matter of facet as a professional i would like to ask HipHopDX to please provide source for your numbers from this video cause it's cap. Akon don't have the answers sway! Also, from a psychological perspective he mentioned his own name as competition "Which was a dominant status statement" but according to the "Numbers" Akon hasn't been relevant in the current years. That was a little conceited if you ask. Read between the lines, he thinks drake has it figured out but really, drake isn't your competition either. We are in a new digital age. If you're reading this you are the real genius. Your going to make it without people believing in you, without a label, without cosigns, because we live in an era that changes so drastically anything is possible. Trust me! NO ONE HAS THE ANSWERS! if he did then he would know Drakes scheme, cause i do! how is that? cause these guys at the "Top" underestimate the power of you. They don't know! you study the numbers, you do the research, you observe their behavior, you know about his game plan, you know his PR strategies, you know their competition, we know their weakness, we know their SWOT! (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) We already doing what they think we aren't " Patience" we already have that, we been having patience. We aren't looking for anyone to save us WE DON'T NEED YOUR FEEDBACK the same people laugh now will will wish they didn't. Just like your artist you signed "Lady Gaga" who got dropped 3 months later by LA Reid from Def Jam cause he was having a bad day. Is that the competition your talking about AKON. Dude please, the only competition we have is ourselves.
Yup, I was thinking this whole thing like he’s already limiting you by saying to to manny but there are thousands of people that will hear it so that doesn’t relate. It’s easier now then back then and I am willing to learn making my own beats the more middle man you cut the more for you. I’m a girl and I’m good at writing rap because Iv been through so much so young in life and if you are relatable to people the more fans will grow. The bad part is when you meet the snakes that try to lie and steal it’s safer to try to learn everything yourself. Even put a tripod and try to record your own music video.
@@magicalindigoadult3838 yea he lost me when he measured success by the billboard charts lol. Akon has no power in your destiny. You will make it. Practice, and learn the business a little you don't need to be in the billboard to be successful those numbers are measured by a number of factors which also have a history of being boosted with false sales to trigger the data. Your are the label now build your team go out there and take what's yours. Visibility is first, you have to be seen there is multiple tactics to use to create visibility.
Tht shit was needed bro✊🏾 we def gne make it, jus gotta stay focused be patient n be consistent
Def needed this one, appreciate the advice ❤💯💯
@@OceanDavisPersonal that’s true, some people also get famous every fast for one song.
Thats why marketing is soo important
And promotions
much love to people who have been there and done that and bless people with the truth from their understanding.
Thanks for keeping real, out of a thousand people who won’t listen 3 or 4 of us really gonna understand to hold on to this information. All FAQs
Hmm, I don't know about artists getting paid last though. I got paid last in the chain for producing music for someone abroad. Payment pushed through but it took so long.
That hairline pulled me straight to the comment section lmao
Dope content! Very informative!
I swear this is Hella motivating
Akon got that glue down wig.
This is the best video on HipHop DX I’m only saying that because of the Raw truth of the contents in this video. It’s not pretentious. It’s not a regurgitation of what has happened in hiphop news. It’s just solid bullet points of broader topics, ideas, and skills that are needed if this is what you want.
Dope interview
Thanks for the beautiful words legend🙌🏾❤️😍🥳💯💯💯
akon was 💯 right about what he said and that is what is happening to all upcoming artist that wanted to blow in music industry including me , it take so many time and chances with money to be among the celebrity in music industry it was not easy ,it very good to know right now that it's time that make money n that is the point and fact, akon your taught kick my brain.
shout out AKON for using his knowledge to empower our global family with his talents, and blessing our people with a better living in areas where its not available.
Facts , this bredda spitting fiyah facts! 🔥
Great interview
That haircuit 🤣🤣🤣🤣 got the 50 inch magnavox
Akon has a hairline. This is Michael Bay level CGI
lmao🤣
was waiting for someone to comment this lmaoo
Lol
🤣
Yea the Chinese gave him a gift 360 wave wig for his African city scam he ran on his people part of the perks
Till 7th class akon is my fav, and i like Unconsciously someone who sings akon' songs. And now I'm graduated and doing job. Still like him.
I thank god being on the billboard is not something I strive for. That would be a depressing goal. I just want to pay my bills making music. THAT'S IT!
His Barber really doesn't respect him😭 cause wow.
Bro that line up fucked
Is that a hat on his head or what...eww
Mf wore a hair condom
Thx yhu for da advice wow I see 👀💯
Amazing insight, knowledge and advice
His barber should get sued 😂 for that one but he’s dropping mad gems
Great interview & gems. I was gone talk about the hairline but he rich and I’m not.
"there's a reason why I'm being exposed to this" ..That's some real shit man💪💪
glad to see🎉
Just do it. Give it your best efforts. And even if you fail you will know that you did your best and you will have no regrets at the end of your life. And music stays forever. So you are leaving behind a piece of you that will remain. Bottom line is that you don't want to regret not doing it.
Word.
No Regertz i say 🤓😎
👏🏾
yeah true world👌
Factss everything that u post on your channel will be a masterpiece at the end of the day
Ok it’s still a lucrative business for any artist. That’s why you got into it as well
Great to know so much more Bout akon n music industry
Biggest advise ever , maximum respect to this dude
Best music advice Ever
Most recording artists are songwriters. Especially rappers.
This resonated with me. Definitely not wasting another moment sitting around.
Thanks Akon, This applies to my line of work as well, greetings from Uganda
Great advice tho 💪🏾
Oh thanks Akon. Feeling really inspired after u stating that we don’t have a chance to be artist
Good Job!
Thank you so much🤍
This has been known for years yet people still sign their life away then cry about it after the fact then only got yourself to blame. Independent artists are the future. Sell ya soul get no sympathy
What else they going to do most are broke trying to get on. There are more poor people on the earth then rich and the rich monopolized the economy flow only a few can get wealth starting from the bottom
Akon was speaking the absolute complete truth, but I couldn’t stop staring at that hairpiece on his head. Lol.
Best Comments ❤️😂
lol
😂
Good convo bruh
music is eternal, it's always a good business - just be smart about
artists: “artists are the last to get paid” producers: “producers are the last to get paid” songwriters: “songwriters are the last to get paid” 🤔
I hope everyone is taking notes and not just listing, matter of fact take notes and paid attention cause what Akon is saying facts !!
U know whose not the last to get paid? The labels and the people thats putting up the money to invest in the music
I think Producers and Songwriters are incorporated within Artists
That's why when he was about to say producers he cut tht shit out 😂
That's why you stay Indipendent so you can be the only one getting paid
Akon real hairline is "locked up wont let me out".
AWESOME ADVISE
That is what you call Keeping it real
Akon is great men! Pure motivation to upcoming musicians.
Is that a wig on his head?
oh my gosh😂😂😂😂😂
@@tavihawalker4863 looks like his hair came out a package
damn it does look weird, why did you do this to me?)
@@IttaPasta 😂😂😂😂😂 guys y'all gotta chill ok lol
@@shakeemrobinson30 😂😂😂😂😂
Powerful!
He’s a great person! Wisdom !
What he's saying is true 👍 💯✌️
This man's hairline was the last to get paid 😂
Thanks for this man for not bending over and taking it in for the music industry, I salute you Sir 👍
Man is goat'ed cause he only speak facts to the young and up coming artists 🏆
All he needs are airpods in his ears and you have a meme
LMAO
😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
akon should expose who gave him that wig
Facts staying independent
This is awesome for everyone .
I think with practice,consistency, patience (might take years) you can be a successful artist without being a MAJOR one and still make a decent amount of living IF you’ve built a solid fanbase, there are a lot of unknown artists doing well thanks to DSP’s whether because they grind or they managed to make connections to reach that point, don’t GIVE UP, but having something on the side that brings you income as WISE as well (to invest in your music to make it better, pay your bills, enjoy life and not be broke-depressed), 2 things can be true at the same time, good luck to everyone out there trynna make it!I mean WORST case scenario you can get an occupation in the music industry not as an artist🙏🏿
❤
Also to add to the last sentence, Someone like Kanye west started off as a producer before he was put on and made the great music he made. You just have to wait your turn and keep at it when it comes to music
This is great advice. Not just for music but any area of creating art and a business.
This is all facts that cannot be disputed on any level.
Well said
My boy hairline stretches from the us to Africa 🤣😂💯
Word son
Lol
I hope everyone is taking notes and not just listing, matter of fact take notes and paid attention cause what Akon is saying facts !!
I fw the fact that he says you’re trash, it’s good to hear that, it’s reality
Realest Info from any artist 100
Akon!! Thank you for the encouragement and advice!! Good looking out @hiphopdx
Big respect to Akon.🖤👑💯
I don't care what your stylist told you, that hair line needs a remix 😂
Mane🤣🤣🤣that wave lace front
He dropped gems 💎
People have known this for years. You can only blame them for so long. Artist have to keep letting this happen to them and sign the contracts because the record industry provides something. And I get it. I know artist aren’t even asking for the lion share or that record companies don’t deserve anything. They are just asking for it to be more balanced. But again, artists/bands have been saying this since the 60’s -70’s(probably b4 that too). The information is out there not to get screwed.
It's not about letting it happen to them...it's about risk and leverage, especially back in Akons era where they would sign you just off of talent. You sign to a label with no buzz, the splits are gonna be in the labels favour because it's most likely not gonna work out
@@Jumpaz416 to me the point is irrelevant. Back in the 60-70-80-90s the information on how not to get screwed wasn’t readily available. You would have to seek someone out personally and they would have to walk you through it. The information is out there now. Don’t take a big advance. Ask for backend money/points. Own your masters. Don’t sign a dumb contract without having a lawyer read it and explain it to you. A separate lawyer from the record companies lawyer. Imo, It’s that easy. And I know nothing about the music industry and have never made a song in my life. So you would think if you were making this your life or making music your business, you would seek out the information not to get screwed like artist have in the past.
Oh yeah, Michael Jackson, before him Prince, before him Elvis. Look how bad Slipknot got screwed, 7 album deal for less than a million dollars, ouch!
Man contradicted himself whole interview. Told you what you want to hear and what society/ vibe killers love to say at the same time.
So true its like he wanted to encourage and shxt down ur dream at the same times lol istg some peoples want to keep u in the box tell u what the hell u should do with your life we all trynna escape this matrix dawg
the most important thing he said is about KNOWING when you really are what you think you are............at no point should this ACTUALLY feel like work...........if its TRULY your calling.....it'll feel like magical things happen for you and you can't explain it. If it IS NOT for you...........then the truth is the truth.....you gotta eat that. I had to learn that the hard way after doing music for years and years.........the truth is...i'm just another dude, doing music. Nothing special. Just another. And that's okay.............you gotta see it for what it is sometimes in life ya'll. Peace
everytime I see his haircut I be crying 😂😂
Akon’s hairline is in a 360 deal
Only part I disagree with is the notion that you have to be “Billboard” before you can be considered successful in music. That’s the Industry talking. Every artist ain’t meant to be top 10 or top 100 but it doesn’t mean they not eating off music or they they not successful, especially considering they may not even WANT to be that famous
True not everyone could be famous its impossible bro tbh plenty ppl been rapping and singing for over 10 years and never made billboard but I guarantee they made some money from it
Plenty of people have a fanbase where they make themselves 100,000 which better than a nine to five.
Yes, being on billboard top 10 opens up opportunities - collaborations and marketing deals - this increases your wallet. Hence, Akon’s point.
@@Mike-01 that’s great, but my point is about success and not letting an “industry” (especially one that’s a poison) determine what that is for you as an artist. If you’re someone that can “create” there’s no need to view anybody as competition.
Exactly!! Akon really only cares about the numbers (which can be easily manipulated) and the money. Which is exactly why he attempted that stunt with tekashi 69. Hoping it would’ve worked but all he did was discredit himself and furthermore expose himself as someone who doesn’t really care about the culture. Just the money.
Great 👍 video!