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.
Mama Africa
akon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So tell me can you feel it?
So much, so much, yeah
Go home, then make that visit
So much, so much, love, so much
Senegal, can you feel it?
So much, so much, yeah, so much (oww)
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
So much love to care
Let them know they missin' out
Mama Africa has
So much love to share
Sweet blackness, oneness be there
So much love to care
Let them know they missin' out
Sing again
A
Is for all the love and the life took away
F
Don't forget we were bought and trade
R
Ripped from the land and shipped away
I
Is the inspiration we use to survive
C
Have to see it with your own cries
A
Don't play, add it up and arrive
Still you don't know
The land is so gold and green
The place is so fresh and clean
And everyday I water my garden
Tell if you feel it deep in your heart and
The space is so cool and nice
Visit once, guaranteed to visit twice
And if you just believe in the Most High
I know you'll be all right, Mama Africa has
So much love to share
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
So much love to care
And let them know they missin' out
Mama Africa you, you
So much love to share
Sweet blackness, oneness be there
So much love to care
And let them know they missin' out
Sing again
A
That's my favorite place when I need to get away
F
Must forgive but we can't forget to pray
R
Flight lands right on the runway
I
In my homeland and I'm feelin' so alive
C
Imagine Africa unite
A
Go on and accept her now it's all right
Still you don't know
Skin is so dark and brown
She lifts me right off the ground
But no, you not gonna see it on you TV
So yo, just listen up and believe me
Her trees have the only cure
Her love is so new and pure
Had to kiss them troubles goodbye bye
No I don't have to lie
Mama Africa you got
So much love to share
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
So much love to care
Let them know they missin' out
Mama Africa
So much love to share
Sweet blackness, oneness be there
So much love to care
And let them know that they missin' out
Mama Africa
So much, so much, love (yeah), so much
So tell me can you feel it?
So much, so much, yeah, so much
Go home, then make that visit
So much, so much, love, so much
Senegal, can you feel it?
So much, so much, yeah, so much (oww)
So much love to share
I just can't see how we livin' without it
So much love to care
Don't miss, don't miss one moment about it
So much love to share
Resist this bliss though I really doubt it
So much love to care
So much love
So much love to share
Oh yeah
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
So much love to care
Let them know they missin' out
Feeling it all the time
So much love to share
Sweet blackness, oneness be there
So much love to care
Let them know they missin' out
Sing again
In his song "Mama Africa," Akon expresses his love for the African continent and its people. The chorus emphasizes the abundance of love that is present in Africa and encourages listeners to visit the continent to experience it for themselves. The verses speak to the history of Africa, including the exploitation of its people during the slave trade and the strength and resilience of the African spirit. Akon also highlights the beauty of Africa's landscapes, trees, and love, challenging the negative stereotypes that exist in mainstream media.
The song is a celebration of Blackness and African unity, as it recognizes the diversity and connectedness of the continent. The repetition of the phrase "so much love to share" reinforces the idea that love can be found everywhere in Africa, and it is crucial to spread it to others. Ultimately, Mama Africa is a love letter to the continent, a call to recognize its worth and beauty, and an invitation to share in its love.
Line by Line Meaning
So much, so much, love (yeah), so much
There is an enormous amount of love in Africa
So tell me can you feel it?
Are you able to perceive this love?
Go home, then make that visit
Visit your hometown
Senegal, can you feel it?
Are you feeling the love in Senegal?
So much love to share
Africa has a lot of love to give
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
Africa is a place of unity among black people
So much love to care
There is a lot of care to be shared in Africa
Let them know they missin' out
People who have not experienced Africa are really missing out
Mama Africa has
Africa embodies all of these things
Sing again
Repeat the message
A
The letter A represents what happened to Africans
Is for all the love and the life took away
Africans had their love and freedom taken from them
F
The letter F represents slavery
Don't forget we were bought and trade
Africans were sold like commodities
R
The letter R represents the journey that Africans took
Ripped from the land and shipped away
Africans were forced to leave their homeland and shipped to other parts of the world
I
The letter I represents inspiration and survival
Is the inspiration we use to survive
Africans used their inspiration to survive slavery and oppression
C
The letter C represents the importance of seeing Africa through your own eyes
Have to see it with your own cries
You have to experience Africa yourself to truly appreciate it
A
The letter A represents the need to take action
Don't play, add it up and arrive
Take action, add up the information, and come to your own conclusion
Still you don't know
There is still so much to learn about Africa
The land is so gold and green
Africa is rich in resources and has beautiful landscapes
The place is so fresh and clean
Africa has a lot of natural beauty and is a clean environment
And everyday I water my garden
African people take care of their environment
Tell if you feel it deep in your heart and
If you really listen, you can feel the love in Africa
The space is so cool and nice
Africa has a cool, calming atmosphere
Visit once, guaranteed to visit twice
After one visit to Africa, you will want to return again
And if you just believe in the Most High
If you have faith, you will be rewarded
I know you'll be all right, Mama Africa has
Africa has everything you need to be happy and healthy
I just can't see how we livin' without it
The love in Africa is essential for life
Don't miss, don't miss one moment about it
Take advantage of every opportunity to experience Africa
Resist this bliss though I really doubt it
It's hard to resist the happiness and contentment that Africa brings
Oh yeah
Emphasizes the importance of African culture and love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abdulsamad Hakeem, Aliaune Thiam, Bobby Dixon, Bradley Brown, Dalton Browne, Dave Richards, Everold Dwyer, Paul Henton, Tillman Otto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind