He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of the singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely", from his debut album "Trouble". His second album, "Konvicted", earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single Smack That featuring Eminem. His latest album, "Freedom", was released in 2008. Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently accredited with over 200 guest appearances and 32 Billboard Hot 100 songs.
He is the first solo artist to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. He has also founded two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution and has a clothing label, Konvict clothing
Akon is a Muslim and has many charities of his own.
Akon's father is the Senagalese drummer Mor Thiam.
Fair To You
Akon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(And I don't know why)
Cus normally I be up and up to no good
(And I don't know why)
I feel like it's gon' be a long day
(And I don't know why)
So let me go and put the bullshit beside and tell you like this
(So let me go and tell you why)
It ain't fair to you, it ain't fair to me
So let me live my life
It's better the life for the one you want me to be (want me to be)
So girl go and do you, cus I'm gon' do me
So just live your life
We'll get back together if it's meant to be
Said you loved me way too much to be friends
(And I don't know why)
Feel like you ain't never gave me a fair chance
(And I don't know why)
All and all I loved the experience
(And I don't know why)
In the future call forth we'll be back together again
(So let me go and tell you why)
It ain't fair to you, it ain't fair to me
So let me live my life
It's better the life for the one you want me to be
So girl go and do you, cus I'm gon' do me
So just live your life
We'll get back together if it's meant to be
If you believe that I got one and back won't let me live
Can you believe that I got small problems that seems so big
Can you believe that I got - got to lie to a four to five
And that ain't right
Can you believe that I got - got to go trust is gone but
See I'll always love you baby
No matter where I go (ooh yeah)
Even though you drove me crazy
I'll always keep you close (ooh yeah)
No longer happy here
That's why I won't shed a tear
So go 'head and live your life girl
Best believe I'll be right here
It ain't fair to you, it ain't fair to me
So let me live my life
It's better for life for the one you want me to be (yeahh)
So girl go and do you, cus I'm gon' do me
So just live your life
We'll get back together if it's meant to be
See I'll always love you baby
No matter where I go
Even though you drove me crazy
I'll always keep you close
We're no longer happy here
That's why I won't shed a tear
Just go 'head and live your life girl
Expect to be I'll be right here
In "Fair To You," Akon sings about a failing relationship in which he is struggling to figure out his feelings. He admits that he is not feeling good and cannot understand why because normally he is up to no good. He indicates that he expects it will be a long day and wants to put aside the bullshit and be honest with his partner. He notes that things aren't fair to either him or his partner, and he wants to live his life with the implication that they should live their own lives too. Then, he assures her that no matter where he goes, he will always love her and keep her close.
Throughout the song, Akon reveals his uncertainty and confusion about his relationship but most importantly knows that if they are meant to be, they will find their way back to each other. He acknowledges that he wants to live his life as he wants, and he tells her to do the same. He is optimistic that someday they will be back together, but he does not want her to wait around for him while he figures himself out.
The song portrays the emotions someone goes through when struggling to come to terms with the end of a relationship. It's only after they've accepted it that they begin living their lives unencumbered. It speaks to the idea that it's better to be honest with oneself and one's partner and that people need the freedom to do what they want to do. Though they may separate in the short term, if it's meant to be, they'll end up back together.
Line by Line Meaning
Some reason today I ain't feelin' real good
For some unknown reason, I am not feeling good today.
(And I don't know why)
I am unsure of the reason for my feelings.
Cus normally I be up and up to no good
Usually, I am up to mischief and trouble.
I feel like it's gon' be a long day
I have a feeling today is going to be a long day.
So let me go and put the bullshit beside and tell you like this
Let me put aside any nonsense and tell you the truth.
(So let me go and tell you why)
I want to explain the reason for my actions.
It ain't fair to you, it ain't fair to me
It is not fair to either of us.
So let me live my life
Let me live my life the way I want to.
It's better the life for the one you want me to be (want me to be)
It is better for us to live the life we each want.
So girl go and do you, cus I'm gon' do me
You should do what you want while I do what I want.
We'll get back together if it's meant to be
If we are meant to be together, we will be reunited.
Said you loved me way too much to be friends
You loved me too much to just be friends.
Feel like you ain't never gave me a fair chance
I feel like you did not give me a fair chance.
All and all I loved the experience
Overall, I loved the time we had together.
In the future call forth we'll be back together again
In the future, we may be together again.
If you believe that I got one and back won't let me live
If you think I have someone holding me back from living my life,
Can you believe that I got small problems that seems so big
It may seem like small issues, but they are big problems for me.
Can you believe that I got - got to lie to a four to five
Can you believe that I have to lie to a young child.
And that ain't right
That is not fair.
Can you believe that I got - got to go trust is gone but
Can you believe that I have lost trust in someone close to me?
See I'll always love you baby
I will always love you.
No matter where I go (ooh yeah)
Regardless of where I am.
Even though you drove me crazy
Even though you made me crazy.
I'll always keep you close (ooh yeah)
I will always keep you close to my heart.
We're no longer happy here
We are not happy together anymore.
That's why I won't shed a tear
That is why I will not cry.
Just go 'head and live your life girl
Go ahead and live the life you want, girl.
Expect to be I'll be right here
I will be here if you need me.
Contributed by Jayden T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.