Akon talked about building his own city in the West African country of Senegal some time ago, which at that time was referred to as “Crypto City.” The singer named it that because he wants its citizens to use the cryptocurrency he created called AKoin, which he announced last year.
Before that, the “Locked Up” crooner talked about his Lighting Africa Initiative, which hopes to bring electricity to people on the African continent by use of solar power.
And last week, Akon, who spent much of his childhood in Senegal, stopped by Nick Cannon‘s radio show on Los Angeles’ Power 106 and said the new city should be up and running over the next decade. He also said it will be called “Akon City.”
“It’s all renewable, the Akon-tainment solar city. It’s all renewable,” the singer explained. “[It’s] A real physical place, it’s going to have a real airport. It’s a 10-year building block so we’re doing it in stages. We started construction in March and stage two is going to be 2025.”
Then Cannon, who seemed to be blown away by Akon’s plans, said building your own city isn’t something he’s heard billionaires do, which Akon responded to.
“I always felt like if you have to label yourself a billionaire, I don’t even think billionaires label themselves billionaires. Because you have no idea [how much you’re worth],” he explained.
“When I hear stuff like that, it makes me sad in such a way because when I travel I see so many things that happen,” he added. “So many people that need … Things to be resolved. And if you can have a billion dollars sitting in the bank, while you have all these people suffering, it’s crazy to me. It’s like a waste of a billion dollars.”
And just like Cannon, many said they were truly taken aback at Akon’s Senegal city.
“Damnnn akon got his own cityyyyy damnnn proud!!!!!,” one person wrote on YouTube.
“Akon is an inspiration for real,” another stated. “He has me looking at myself like I need [to] do more.”
“I’m moving my Family to Africa in 2 years and guess where we’re going to live?” a third person commented.
