Akon

Released: June 29, 2004

Songwriter: Akon Mark Batson Anthony Hamilton

Producer: Akon

[Intro]
Yo, in case you ain't know
I go by the name of Akon, and I'm from (Africa, Africa)
Home of the Goree Island
I'm from Senegal, Westside (Africa, Africa)
So I'ma share with you and where I'm from
And how I was comin' up in (Africa, Africa)

[Verse 1]
So what you know about the struggles
That my people went through so you can live the way you live now?
Say what you know about
Seeing that brand new mother giving away her newborn child?
Say what you know about
Mr. Amadou Diallo, a Senegalese cops shot down?
Said what you know about how people love to perceive us
When we come into a brand new town?
Now what you know about Goree Island
Where all the slaves were shipped from?
What you know about
Being born in America to avoid immigration?

[Hook]
Still from the ghettos of Senegal (Africa, Africa)
Comin' from the ghettos of Senegal (Africa, Africa)
Comin' from the ghettos of Senegal (Africa, Africa)
Yes, I'm comin' from the ghettos of Senegal (Africa, Africa)

[Verse 2]
So what you know about
Thiéboudieune, yassa, thiéré and maafé, my favorite foods?
So what you know about niggas throwin' rocks
Bustin' shots at the military invadin' my hood?
So what you know about kids with automatic machines
Waiting for the war to get on that side?
So what you know about how God comes first in our lives?
Everything that we do is for Allah
So what you know about
That Holy place called Touba where Prophets were born?
So what you know about
Comin here, gettin money, investing it back home?

[Hook]
Right in the ghettos of Senegal (Africa, Africa)
Give it to the ghettos of Senegal (Africa, Africa!)
Take it to the ghettos of Senegal (Africa! Africa!)
Send it right to the ghettos of Senegal (Africa! Africa!)

[Outro]
Now see that's just a little piece of how it is (Africa, Africa)
See but we can come together
And make it 'lot better back home (Africa, Africa)
So don't complain about how they treating you here
Take your millions of dollars there, back to (Africa, Africa)
We own that land, we own those diamonds
**** our lives if we want to (Africa, Africa)
We kings man, we don't take orders, we give 'em
Think about it

Akon (born Aliaume Akon Thiam), is a Senegalese-American Grammy-nominated and platinum-selling rapper, songwriter, singer and businessman. His trademark is singing the word ‘convict’ at the beginning of most of his songs.

Akon was born in the US but spent much of childhood in the West African country Senegal. There, he learned to play five instruments including the djembe, guitar and drums. Early on Akon signed a deal with Elektra Records, but was later dropped from the label.

His career took off when Lil Zane introduced Akon to music executive DeVyne Stephens, who signed him to his label UpFront Records and became his longtime manager and business partner.

more tracks from the album

Trouble (Deluxe)

From the album

Trouble (Deluxe) (2004)

Akon popular songs

SenegalAkon

Akon

Trouble (Deluxe)