Akon versus Kanye West?
At first glance, that may look like a music or record sales competition, but the two could face off in a presidential election — at least according to Akon, who stopped by “The Real” on Monday.
During his sit-down, the “Konvicted” crooner explained that he may run in 2024, after deciding he was too busy with his music career to run this go-around.
“I know what the issues are,” Akon told the hosts. “As a person, as an immigrant, as a black man, as whatever you want to call it, I kinda know or feel like I know that I can take the country and move it forward. I really believe so.”
The 46-year-old then said he works closely with governments in Africa, as well as presidents on the continent.
In fact, as of a few years ago, Akon began talking about bringing more electricity to the continent by use of solar power though his Lighting Africa Initiative.
The singer said he came up with the idea after playing concerts on the continent and the power kept going off.
On top of that, he launched his own cryptocurrency a while back called Akoin that he wants countries in Africa to use to keep their money away from corrupt governments.
Akon was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but spent a good deal of his childhood in the West African country of Senegal.
“I’m literally advising 30 African presidents as we speak,” he said on “The Real.” “And it’s all based on the youth, the development of the youth and things of that nature. I’m everywhere in the world dealing with politics, so my foreign experience is through the roof.”
Akon then went into Kanye West running for president, since it’s something the “Jesus is King” rapper said he planned to do at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival in New York earlier this month.
“You think you can beat Kanye,” asked “The Real” co-host Loni Love.
“Well, I don’t think it would be a competition,” the singer answered. “I actually need him to run, I want him to run. Because it’s like this, Kanye’s not crazy. He just been awakened.”
“My belief, from a spiritual state, I just feel like he’s awake now,” Akon continued. “He’s [the] most amazing marketer in the world. He understands his audience, but he’s definitely not crazy. He knows what he’s doing.”
“If he does run, it’s great for the culture,” he added. “Now, whether or not you think he’s fit is another thing. That’s why you got me as another choice.”
