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.
Keep Up
Akon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My niggers, I'm a beast!
I could go thirty days and nights with no sleep.
All the mice in the streets,
The only male I see every day is my...
I don't think you could keep up,
Keep up, hey, keep up, hey!
I don't think you could keep up,
I don't think you could keep up!
Cause when I'm riding in your lane,... And playing
Convict model, no fame, no...
I slide through the hood, the thing unchanged
My niggers on the corner still selling cocaine.
Now I ain't even tripping... The same thing,
... I got the opportunity to make some more change.
I'm watching all these haters getting close to my fame,
If only they know what it takes to maintain,
If you live by the... We raised it, I was built to...
Chorus:
My niggers, I'm a beast!
I could go thirty days and nights with no sleep.
All the mice in the streets,
The only male I see every day is my...
I don't think you could keep up,
Keep up, hey, keep up, hey!
I don't think you could keep up,
Keep up, hey, keep up, hey!
I don't think you could keep up!
These thing that don't occur,
Now I'm living...
Women used to never pay attention...
Now they see me out in public, staring, ripping up my sugar.
It's funny how the tables turn and I turn
No longer sitting in the...
... Gotta see me first!
Cause all second fight... All be me,
You ain't got enough what it takes to beat me.
Conditioned by the slums and the streets,
I feel for this life it takes another soldier.
Chorus:
My niggers, I'm a beast!
I could go thirty days and nights with no sleep.
All the mice in the streets,
The only male I see every day is my...
I don't think you could keep up,
Keep up, hey, keep up, hey!
I don't think you could keep up,
Keep up, hey, keep up, hey!
I don't think you could keep up!
Because in my field, only the stronger ones will survive,
And if you're as hard as steel, then you and I will collide, yeah
We gonna rush at each other like two rams fighting in the grass land, yeah!
And I'mma be the last man standing!
Chorus:
My niggers, I'm a beast!
I could go thirty days and nights with no sleep.
All the mice in the streets,
The only male I see every day is my...
I don't think you could keep up,
Keep up, hey, keep up, hey!
I don't think you could keep up,
Keep up, hey, keep up, hey!
I don't think you could keep up!
In Akon's song Keep Up, the artist declares himself worthier and stronger than his rivals. The chorus of the song contains the repetition of the lines "I don't think you could keep up", referring to the challenge and difficulty that his rivals might feel while facing him. Akon boasts of his strength and determination by claiming he could go thirty days and nights without any sleep. The line "All the mice in the streets, the only male I see every day is my..." can be interpreted as an insult to his rivals, who he sees as weak and inferior. He also mentions riding in someone else's lane, possibly referring to being in the same industry with other musicians, but still standing out from the competition. The line "Convict model, no fame, no..." could be a reference to his past as an ex-convict and how he has managed to achieve success without relying on fame.
Akon then goes on to talk about the struggles he had to face before becoming successful. He talks about how he still sees his friends selling cocaine on the streets, but he has found a way to channel his talents and make something out of himself. He also talks about how people around him are jealous of his fame, but they do not understand the hard work it takes to maintain it. The lines "If you live by the... We raised it, I was built to..." could be interpreted as Akon acknowledging his background and how it has been instrumental in shaping him to be the strong person he is today.
Overall, Akon's Keep Up is a song that celebrates individual strength and perseverance, using the metaphor of a race to represent the challenges of life that people have to overcome to achieve success.
Line by Line Meaning
My niggers, I'm a beast!
I am a powerful and resilient individual who commands respect.
I could go thirty days and nights with no sleep.
I am capable of working for extended periods without rest, and my determination is unwavering.
All the mice in the streets, The only male I see every day is my...
Despite being a dominant figure, I encounter very few other men in my everyday life.
I don't think you could keep up, Keep up, hey, keep up, hey!
I do not believe that others possess the same level of strength and stamina as I do.
Cause when I'm riding in your lane,... And playing
Even when I am performing at the same level as others, I still surpass them in skill and ability.
Convict model, no fame, no...
I do not rely on fame or reputation to be successful, instead choosing to work hard and prove myself through my actions.
I slide through the hood, the thing unchanged, My niggers on the corner still selling cocaine.
My environment may be tough and unchanged, but I persevere through it and succeed despite the challenges.
Now I ain't even tripping... The same thing, ... I got the opportunity to make some more change.
Although I am not content with my current situation, I am grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead and strive to make the most of them.
I'm watching all these haters getting close to my fame, If only they know what it takes to maintain,
I observe and learn from those who do not support my endeavors, recognizing that they do not truly understand the dedication required to maintain success.
If you live by the... We raised it, I was built to...
I come from tough beginnings and am accustomed to a certain lifestyle, making me well-suited to overcome rough circumstances and succeed where others may struggle.
These thing that don't occur, Now I'm living...
I have overcome obstacles and challenges that were once thought to be insurmountable.
Women used to never pay attention... Now they see me out in public, staring, ripping up my sugar.
I have experienced a significant shift in the way that others, specifically women, perceive me and my level of success.
It's funny how the tables turn and I turn, No longer sitting in the...
I am now on the opposite end of the power dynamic, no longer the individual who is in a subordinate position.
... Gotta see me first! Cause all second fight... All be me, You ain't got enough what it takes to beat me.
Others must recognize and acknowledge my strength and resilience before trying to challenge me, as they will likely come up short in the fight against me.
Conditioned by the slums and the streets, I feel for this life it takes another soldier.
Growing up in difficult environments has made me well-suited for a life of perseverance and fighting for success.
Because in my field, only the stronger ones will survive, And if you're as hard as steel, then you and I will collide, yeah
My industry is competitive and only the strongest individuals can make it, but if someone does possess the necessary strength and resilience, they will inevitably cross paths with me.
We gonna rush at each other like two rams fighting in the grass land, yeah!
When two incredibly strong and resilient individuals meet, it will be a battle of strength and power.
And I'mma be the last man standing!
I am confident in my abilities and know that I will emerge victorious in any battle of strength and resilience.
Contributed by Dominic A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.