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.
Make It in the City
Akon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I went from standing on the block... to my clock,...
I even got hustled a lot, mainly by crooked cops,
Life wasn't easy as it seems!
Chorus:
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
It's harder every day to come up... ain't got a job (ain't got a job)
Trying to keep the bills paid,
But don't wanna get locked up no more!
See my cowardly episode almost cut me with...
Tossed us so we wouldn't find a trace!
... the bitch is greedy as...
Chorus:
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
Gotta a lot... for let me break it down
I'm not the only one out here that's going through it now,
It's international, obsessions all around,
We gotta be here for each other when we hit the ground.
I know your hurted (hurted) and work it (work it)...
Can't ever stop hoping,... I'll be grinding until the day that I day!
Chorus:
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground.
Trying to make it in the city,
Where we stay on the ground,
Stay on the ground, stay on the ground
Akon's song "Make It in the City" is an anthem about the struggle to achieve success and rise above difficult circumstances in urban areas. The first verse begins with Akon reflecting on his upbringing in the "hood," and his doubts about ever making it out of that environment. He went from standing on the block to keeping a clock, as he hustled to survive. However, he also encountered many obstacles along the way, including crooked cops who exploited him. Life was far from easy as it may have seemed, and the chorus repeats the phrase "Trying to make it in the city, where we stay on the ground" to emphasize the challenges of struggling to succeed while remaining grounded and true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Raised in the hood, never thought I'd make it this far.
I grew up in an impoverished area and never believed I could achieve success.
I went from standing on the block... to my clock,...
I used to sell drugs on the street corner to make money, but now I have a legitimate job.
I even got hustled a lot, mainly by crooked cops,
I was victimized by corrupt law enforcement officers who unfairly targeted me.
Life wasn't easy as it seems!
Despite my current success, my journey to get here was difficult and challenging.
Trying to make it in the city,
I am striving to succeed in a metropolitan area with limited opportunities.
Where we stay on the ground,
We remain humble and focused on our goals.
It's harder every day to come up... ain't got a job (ain't got a job)
It's becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet since I am currently unemployed.
Trying to keep the bills paid,
I am struggling to pay my monthly expenses.
But don't wanna get locked up no more!
I'm trying to avoid getting arrested by staying out of trouble.
See my cowardly episode almost cut me with...
In the past, my fear and insecurity almost caused me to harm myself or others.
Tossed us so we wouldn't find a trace!
Someone tried to dispose of evidence to cover up a crime.
... the bitch is greedy as...
An individual is acting selfishly and prioritizing their own interests over others.
Gotta a lot... for let me break it down
There is a lot going on in my life but let me explain it.
I'm not the only one out here that's going through it now,
Many people are currently facing similar struggles.
It's international, obsessions all around,
These challenges are not limited to any particular country or region and affect people worldwide.
We gotta be here for each other when we hit the ground.
We need to support each other through difficult times.
I know your hurted (hurted) and work it (work it)...
I understand that you are going through pain and I encourage you to persevere.
Can't ever stop hoping,...
We must maintain hope even in the face of adversity.
... I'll be grinding until the day that I day!
I will continue working hard until my last day on earth.
Contributed by Lucy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.