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.
Walk Away
akon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to walk away from a life of sorrow
It's a struggle every day
Trying not to rob G's, Steal or Borrow
Verse 1:
I need to take it slow
My heart is growing cold
From the people that I know
and everywhere I go I'm trying to lay low
Can't afford to get in no trouble 'cause I'm on parole
I'm trying to live life right
God knows with all my might
But I'm just barely getting by
Cuz money's way too tight
And I can say this right
The struggle and the fight
It's weakin' all the muscles in my body like kryptonite
Making me feel like there is no other way
But the different streets get that dough
Living and praying for a better day…So!
Chorus (2X)
Facing trouble every day
Trying to walk away from a life of sorrow
It's a struggle every day
Trying not to rob G's, Steal or Borrow
Verse 2:
Streets, I ain't no longer on it
Don't need feds all upon it
I done left that life alone
Cuz all I did was impress, my homie!
And then my conscience told me
"Careful you tendarone!"
Always complaining after I ain't never did
She always lonely. So what am I to do
Gotta get money for food, cuz if she starves to death
Then I gotta deal with her attitude
And I in that type of mood cuz I ain't type of dude
It's bad enough, I gotta deal with all this I'm going thru
It's making me feel like there is no other way
But the different streets get that dough
Hoping and praying for a better day…So!
Chorus (4X)
Facing trouble every day
Trying to walk away from a life of sorrow
It's a struggle every day
Trying not to rob G's, Steal or Borrow
In Akon's song "Walk Away," he addresses the daily struggles he faces in trying to leave a life of trouble behind. He talks about the difficulty of hiding his feelings from those around him and the need to lay low in order to avoid getting into trouble while on parole. Akon acknowledges that while he is trying to do things the right way, financial struggles often leave him feeling like there is no other choice but to turn to the streets to make money. He describes the impact that this constant struggle is having on his physical and emotional well-being, likening it to the weakening of his muscles like kryptonite.
The chorus emphasizes the central message of the song, and the struggle that he and so many others face each day in trying to walk away from a life that is full of trouble, while attempting to maintain a positive outlook and not resort to criminal activity. In the second verse, Akon reflects on his past involvement in street life and the pressure he felt to impress his friends. He also talks about the challenges of trying to provide for his partner and deal with the added stress of a difficult relationship. Through it all, he emphasizes the need to keep moving forward and continue to hope for a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Facing trouble every day
Every day brings new difficulties.
Trying to walk away from a life of sorrow
Attempting to leave behind a painful past and improve one's life.
It's a struggle every day
Every day is a challenge.
Trying not to rob G's, Steal or Borrow
Striving to avoid criminal behavior such as robbery or theft.
I need to take it slow
I need to slow down and not rush into things.
My heart is growing cold
I am becoming emotionally closed off and distant.
I'm trying to hide my feelings
I am attempting to conceal my emotions from others.
From the people that I know
Specifically from those in my social circle.
And everywhere I go I'm trying to lay low
I am trying to avoid being noticed or drawing attention to myself.
Can't afford to get in no trouble 'cause I'm on parole
I must avoid any illegal activity as violating the terms of my parole would be catastrophic.
I'm trying to live life right
I am attempting to live an honest and moral life.
God knows with all my might
I am trying my hardest, and only God truly knows my effort.
But I'm just barely getting by
Financially, I am struggling and just barely making ends meet.
Cuz money's way too tight
I do not have enough money to comfortably sustain myself.
And I can say this right
I am sure of what I am about to say.
The struggle and the fight
The constant challenges and battles.
It's weakin' all the muscles in my body like kryptonite
The difficulties are draining me physically and mentally, leaving me weak like Superman with kryptonite.
Making me feel like there is no other way
It's as if there are no better options or solutions.
But the different streets get that dough
Crime is a means to make money, but it comes with steep consequences.
Living and praying for a better day…So!
I am living my life and hoping for a brighter future.
Streets, I ain't no longer on it
I have left the dangerous and criminal lifestyle of the streets.
Don't need feds all upon it
I do not want to attract the attention of the authorities.
I done left that life alone
I have completely abandoned the criminal lifestyle of my past.
Cuz all I did was impress, my homie!
I used to do illegal things just to impress my friends.
And then my conscience told me
My moral compass was telling me something was wrong.
"Careful you tendarone!"
Be cautious and mindful of your actions.
Always complaining after I ain't never did
No matter how good I am, someone will always be unhappy with me.
She always lonely
My partner is often alone and probably needs my help.
So what am I to do
I am unsure of how to help her or what action to take.
Gotta get money for food, cuz if she starves to death
I need money to buy food for her, or else she might starve.
Then I gotta deal with her attitude
If I cannot provide for her, she will be justifiably upset.
And I in that type of mood cuz I ain't type of dude
I am not the kind of man to let his partner starve.
It's bad enough, I gotta deal with all this I'm going thru
I am already dealing with difficult challenges of my own.
It's making me feel like there is no other way
All of these challenges make me feel helpless and trapped.
But the different streets get that dough
Again, crime is an easy way to make money.
Hoping and praying for a better day…So!
I am relying on hope and prayer for a brighter future.
Contributed by Isabelle L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Arc. S. Giwa
The song that made me fall in love with Akon...i remember the good old days in 2005. i feel life was more interesting then than it is now....
jerome boss
I feel you boy! that good old days I expected better days to come but nothing ever came so I still walk away but the pain follows
jo balda
Im very agree with you
Colth dodge Akon
Akon tu es le meilleurs chanteur qui ma toujours autant fait planer avec ta voix magnifique !
Nelson Chibuzo
Akon is my favourate hiphop artist, I luv dis song very much
iDice Kingkaiserzap
Oh hell yeah 2 years ago i loved this song and present time i still love it!
MiDeseoo
Reminds me of the time when Akon was actually a singer. Was really nice back then
theLegeNdkillA95
akon currently the best singer alive
Arnav Madan
got a kind of feeling that hip hop era was better than todays edm.
King Zola
My Hero