Akon Defends Working with 6ix9ine: "His Side Wasn't Really Told"

BY Erika Marie 40.6K Views
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Akon, 6ix9ine
Akon recently chatted about working with 6ix9ine on a track and said he hasn't lost any friends since the collaboration.

There are a handful of artists who continue to support Tekashi 6ix9ine regardless of his scandalous past. The rapper has become a polarizing figure in the music industry after he turned federal informant against his Nine Trey gang associates. While 6ix9ine was behind bars, there was much speculation as to whether or not he would be welcomed back in the rap game following his release. The rapper proved to be a formidable force, even on house arrest, as he worked with artist slike Nicki Minaj and Akon.

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When people learned that Akon planned on uniting with 6ix9ine musically and personally, the mogul received an onslaught of backlash. However, Akon took it all in stride and now claims that no one dropped him from their social circles because of his 6ix9ine association. In an interview with DJ Whoo Kid, Akon said that people need to remember that the music industry is a business.

"I don't recall losing any [contacts]. If I did, they ain't tell me," said Akon. "This is a business. If our personal relationship is affected by our business, then that ain't no real friendship." Akon and 6ix9ine previously previewed their forthcoming collaboration which is a spin on Akon's 2004 megahit "Locked Up." "I feel like, at the end of the day, his side wasn't really told and it still ain't really told, but I think it's more about people understanding why I made this record in the first place. This record, 'Locked Up,' was my personal experience and then it just touched a lot of real n*ggas that just happened to be locked up."

"Everybody got a story and I don't think that we should be in a position to judge who should tell it." Do you agree with Akon's stance? Check out the interview below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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