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.
Wanna be Starting Something
akon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stared as she walked pass
She looked back at me side ways and said
I can't help but to ask
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
You got to be startin' somethin'
We end up going back to her place
Wish I could tell you what I saw
The sexiest women in a negligee
We hit off until the mornning
Until you hear her say
(AKON)
Mama se,
Mama sa, mama coo sa
Mama se, mama sa,
Mama coo sa x10
(AKON)
Billie Jean Is Always Talkin'
When Nobody Else Is Talkin'
Tellin' Lies And Rubbin' Shoulders
So They Called Her Mouth A Motor
Someone's Always Tryin' To Start My Baby Cryin'
Talkin', Squealin', lyin'
Sayin' You Just Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
CHORUS
(AKON)
I said you wanna be startin' somethin',
You got to be startin' somethin'.
I said you wanna be startin' somethin',
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over,(YEA YEA)
Too low to get under.(YEA YEA)
You're stuck in the middle(YEA YEA)
And the pain is thunder.(YEA YEA)
It's too high to get over,(YEA YEA)
Too low to get under.(YEA YEA)
You're stuck in the middle(YEA YEA)
And the pain is thunder(YEA YEA)
(MJ)
You love to pretend that you're good
When you're always up to no good
You really can't make him hate her
So your tongue became a razor
Someone's always tryin' to start my baby crying
Talkin', squealin', lyin you got my baby crying
(AKON)
I said you wanna be startin' somethin',
You got to be startin' somethin'.
I said you wanna be startin' somethin',
You got to be startin' somethin'
It's too high to get over,(YEA YEA)
Too low to get under.(YEA YEA)
You're stuck in the middle (YEA YEA)
And the pain is thunder.(YEA YEA)
It's too high to get over, (YEA YEA)
Too low to get under.(YEA YEA)
You're stuck in the middle (YEA YEA)
And the pain is thunder(YEA YEA)
(AKON)
Mama se,
Mama sa, mama coo sa
Mama se, mama sa,
Mama coo sa x10
What did I make her say
(AKON)
Is getting a lil crazy (is getting lil crazy)
Always messing with my baby (messing with my baby)
And that's the reason she cries is
When I am not by her side
At the lonliest night (without my baby)
But I love how you
Always pompin when I'm thinkin' about you
I wanna bring back the night and share that look on your face
When you say
(AKON)
Mama se,
Mama sa, mama coo sa
Mama se, mama sa,
Mama coo sa x10
I want to make her say
(AKON)
It's too high to get over,(YEA YEA)
Too low to get under.(YEA YEA)
You're stuck in the middle(YEA YEA)
And the pain is thunder.(YEA YEA)
It's too high to get over,(YEA YEA)
Too low to get under.(YEA YEA)
You're stuck in the middle(YEA YEA)
And the pain is thunder(YEA YEA) x2
The song "Wanna Be Starting Something" by Akon features a sample of Michael Jackson's iconic song "Mama Say, Mama Sa, Mama Coosa," which serves as the hook of the song. Akon sings about meeting a woman who catches his eye and they end up at her place. The lyrics "You wanna be startin' somethin'," refer to Akon trying to convince the woman to take things to the next level in their relationship. However, the chorus also includes lines about being stuck in the middle of a difficult situation that causes pain like thunder, which suggests that this relationship may not be without complications.
The addition of Michael Jackson's chorus brings a deeper meaning to the song. In the original song, it is believed that the phrase "Mama Say, Mama Sa, Mama Coosa" is a Cameroonian language chant used to praise one's ancestors. However, in the context of the Michael Jackson song, it is seen as a celebratory call that encourages people to come together and dance. By including the "Mama Say" hook in his song, Akon is nodding to the legacy of Michael Jackson's music and reminding listeners of the importance of music in bringing people together.
Line by Line Meaning
I met her on the walk way
I saw a girl walking on the street
Stared as she walked pass
I thought she was attractive and looked at her as she walked by
She looked back at me side ways and said
She noticed me staring and looked back at me while saying something
I can't help but to ask
I felt compelled to ask her something
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
I asked her if she wanted to start something
You got to be startin' somethin'
I told her she had to take action if she wanted things to happen
We end up going back to her place
We ended up going to her house
Wish I could tell you what I saw
I cannot disclose what I saw or experienced
The sexiest women in a negligee
She was wearing a sexy negligee
We hit off until the mornning
We had a good time until the morning came
Mama se,
I made her say
Mama sa, mama coo sa
Nonsensical words
Billie Jean Is Always Talkin'
Billie Jean is always talking
When Nobody Else Is Talkin'
She talks when nobody else is talking
Tellin' Lies And Rubbin' Shoulders
She lies and rubs shoulders with others
So They Called Her Mouth A Motor
People referred to her mouth as a motor for the way she talks
Someone's Always Tryin' To Start My Baby Cryin'
Someone is always trying to make my loved ones cry
Talkin', Squealin', lyin'
They do this by talking, squealing, and lying
Sayin' You Just Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
They accuse you of just wanting to start something
I said you wanna be startin' somethin'
I told her she wanted to start something
You got to be startin' somethin'
I said she had to take action if she wanted things to happen
It's too high to get over,(YEA YEA)
The obstacle is too difficult to overcome
Too low to get under.(YEA YEA)
It's also too low to go beneath it
You're stuck in the middle(YEA YEA)
You are in a difficult situation
And the pain is thunder.(YEA YEA)
The pain is loud and intense
You love to pretend that you're good
You enjoy pretending to be good
When you're always up to no good
But you're actually always doing something bad
You really can't make him hate her
You cannot make him hate her
So your tongue became a razor
So you became very critical with your words
Someone's always tryin' to start my baby crying
Someone is always trying to make my loved ones cry
Talkin', squealin', lyin you got my baby crying
They do this by talking, squealing, and lying, which makes my loved one cry
Is getting a lil crazy (is getting lil crazy)
The situation is getting a bit out of hand
Always messing with my baby (messing with my baby)
Someone is always bothering or teasing my loved one
And that's the reason she cries is
This is why she is upset
When I am not by her side
She only cries when I am not around
At the lonliest night (without my baby)
She is alone and sad without me
But I love how you
But I love how you
Always pompin when I'm thinkin' about you
You always come to my mind when I think about you
I wanna bring back the night and share that look on your face
I want to go back in time and see your happy face again
When you say
When you say
It's too high to get over,(YEA YEA)
The obstacle is too difficult to overcome
Too low to get under.(YEA YEA)
It's also too low to go beneath it
You're stuck in the middle (YEA YEA)
You are in a difficult situation
And the pain is thunder.(YEA YEA)
The pain is loud and intense
I want to make her say
I want to make her say
Mama se,
Nonsensical words
Mama sa, mama coo sa
Nonsensical words
It's too high to get over,(YEA YEA)
The obstacle is too difficult to overcome
Too low to get under.(YEA YEA)
It's also too low to go beneath it
You're stuck in the middle(YEA YEA)
You are in a difficult situation
And the pain is thunder.(YEA YEA)
The pain is loud and intense
Mama se,
Nonsensical words
Mama sa, mama coo sa
Nonsensical words
Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Shisui Uchiha
R.I.P. MJ. Saludos a todos desde Colombia. Todavía sigue sonando este temazo de Michael Jackson el rey del pop junto a Akon.
Terry Power
I love Akon's vocals on this master piece❤️
Desumana
Yes
Independent Conversations Show
This is the only song on 25 I absolutely love. I'm sorry but the others were bloody murdered imo. Especially kayne with billie Jean.
Amal amal
I love you more than anything you❤
Treyvon Creighton
Michael Jackson and akon did their thing on this track 🔥
Amal amal
I love you more than anything you❤
Sophia Daries
I haven't heard it before. Still have to get used to it But as long as it's MJ I know I'll love it.
Filsan Abdillahi
Thought the same
Sheryll Woods
LOVE THIS VERSION!! Good job!