Akon Brings Light to Africa, Talks New Album. How is singerproducer Akon helping communities in Africa and whats in store for his latest album Five time Grammy nominated artist Akon is working to improve the lives of others with a cause thats close to home. Watch Blues Brothers 2000 Online Forbes. Over two thirds of people living in sub Saharan Africa are living without electricity, with 8. With his new initiative, Akon Lighting Africa, the singerproducer hopes to bring solar powered electricity to 1 million homes in Africa by the end of this year, meaning better lighting, improved infrastructure, and healthier lives. Born in St. Louis, Missouri to parents from Senegal, Akon spent much of his childhood living in the West African nation before settling back in the U. S. and eventually building his highly successful music career, not to mention signing Lady Gaga in the processHes telling ETonline about his recent tour in Africa to meet with various leaders there and whats in store for his latest, yet to be released album, Stadium. ET WHAT CALLED YOU TO START THIS INITIATIVE AND HELP IMPROVE COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA AKON  I think the biggest call was the fact that Im African and I just wanted to really make a difference to really go out there, put my boots on the ground, and make some things actually happen. I noticed in my travels that I was doing in Africa, outside of music, there are a lot of contracts being signed from corporations, countries, and things of that nature dealing with infrastructure, energy, and commodities, but theres nothing happening. Theres no energy, theres nothing going on, no results. I really wanted to make a difference and speak out to get the youth involved and get the people of those countries involved to know that they can actually build their country as well and not wait for people to come and do it for them. ET  WHAT KIND OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE SO FARThe 42yearold actress, who was named an ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR in 2001, kicked off her humanitarian trip in Africa. Vito Viga online are open for your favorite herbal products. Order the best herbal nutritional supplements. Ing women hiddenIng Makababaying Aksyon Wikipedia, the. Vito Viga online are open for your favorite herbal products. Order the best herbal nutritional supplements. Online tvWatch TV Shows Hulu. Debating the current conditions in South Africa feels like an alltoofrequent activity for international SA families. These discussions almost always come up. AKON  The progress has been amazing  This has called out more entrepreneurs and small business owners who are passionately investing into a lot of the infrastructure in Africa and who want to be a part of the growth of African stability. Just that alone has triggered people who normally wouldnt be a part of Africas growth to be a part of it now. ET HOW HAS YOUR TOUR IN AFRICA BEEN, ALONG WITH VISITING YOUR HOME TOWN AKON  Africa is my biggest market when it comes to touring its kept me so busy that I havent had time to even tour the United States. Touring is what opened my eyes to what we need in Africa, being in all those countries and visiting all those villages, and kind of being a part of the culture itself has motivated me more than anything to build an infrastructure there. ET YOUVE HAD A LOT OF AMAZING SUCCESS IN YOUR CAREER AND YOU NEVER SEEM TO STOP WORKINGWHAT KEEPS YOU GOING AKON  Its the love of it, more than anything. I love music its a passion of mine. Breaking stories related to movies, music, television, books, and fashion. I love to write, I love to produce, I love to perform, and I love to create new artists as well in the process and build new careers. I dont think I could shake this if I wanted to ET SPEAKING OF MUSIC, YOURE PLANNING A CONCERT AT THE END OF THIS YEAR TO CELEBRATE YOUR INITIATIVES SUCCESS AKON  Absolutely  The goal afterwards is a huge celebration, one huge concert to celebrate getting everyone involved and raising more awareness. More than anything, just to celebrate the fact that people are coming together to do some amazing things in Africa. ET  DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO WILL BE PERFORMING AT IT AKON  Right now, we dont know which acts will be a part of it since were still putting it all together. But you can believe that I will reach out to as many people as I can, but those who want to be a part of it naturally will be. Canada/2017/Oct/Phoenix-473.jpg' alt='Watch Africa United Online Etonline' title='Watch Africa United Online Etonline' />When we announce that final lineup, youll know who actually has a passion and whos the one who can do it. ET WHAT NEW MUSIC PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON AKON Im constantly writing and producing, also collaborating with artists from around the world. Im pretty known for my collaborations, so this particular album Im kind of keeping those collaborations silent until people actually purchase the new album. Im kind of keeping it a surprise because Im doing some work with artists for the album that people wouldnt expect me to be working with. Watch Bambi II Online Freeform. Story Continues. ET CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM, STADIUMAKON The Stadium album is kind of different from all my other albums it shows a lot of growth. Its actually defining who I am as a person because I changed a lot with my last album in 2. Freedom.   Ive grown as a person, so it kind of put me in a place now where even my records are kind of reflecting what I want to be remembered for. Its on a whole other level and Im so excited about it, its one of those records where anyone can hear it without me having to give my clean version of it, haha The release date for Akons fourth and latest album, Stadium, has yet to be announced. For more info on the albums single, So Blue, click here. Daily. First. Star Sightings Celebrity Candids.