In a recent episode of Drink Champs, musician Akon candidly revealed a surprising aspect of his journey to success. He confessed to adopting a fictional persona as an “African prince,” acknowledging that sometimes one has to fake it until they make it. This revelation sheds light on Akon’s motivations and the desire for acceptance that influenced his choices, including his fascination with luxurious cars.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Akon spent a significant part of his formative years in Senegal, his father’s homeland. However, in the interview, he admitted to embellishing his background to escape the realities of his life at the time. Despite being raised in a privileged environment—a three-story house in New Jersey shared with his older brother—, he described feeling bored and sought excitement by creating an alternate persona.
Akon acknowledged that his pretense of being an African prince stemmed from a deep-rooted desire to be accepted. He believed that by presenting himself as a survivor and someone who had overcome significant challenges, he would feel better about his circumstances. This need for acceptance led him down various paths, including his fascination with high-end cars, which made him feel special and helped him maintain the illusion.
Akon humorously attributed the inspiration for his royal ruse to the iconic 1988 Eddie Murphy film, “Coming to America.” The movie portrays an African prince’s journey to the United States in search of a wife. Akon jokingly acknowledged that the film motivated him to adopt his fabricated persona, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his story.
