Back in July, thousands of Akon fans in Malaysia were faced with disappointment as event organisers announced the postponement of his ‘Freedom Beach Concert’ due to personal reasons on Akon’s part. Hopes were high for a return visit, and it eventually turned into reality when Mr Aliaune “Akon” Thiam arrived on Oct 24, and he wowed crowds with his awesome performance on that very day.

For many, it was easily one of the best concerts of the year. Anyone who went to Akon’s ‘Freedom Beach Concert’ knew that the highlight of the show was definitely the crowd surfing. Despite the reprimands by the security officials on duty, the Senegalese star dove into the 15,000-strong crowd, not once but three times.

All he wanted to do was get close and connect with his fans, and the fans loved every bit of it. Most of them, anyway. Malaysians aren’t exactly privileged when it comes to body size, compared to the rest of the world – so it is curious as to what went through Akon’s head as he jumped into the sea of frenzied jumping and bopping heads, some smaller than his knees.

“The first two times, I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I was afraid I’d crush them (the fans) with my body weight. By the second time, I realised it was a fun thing to do, so I just went on with it,” he told the media at the post-concert Press conference, held the day after at Bentley’s Pub, Hotel Nikko.

Crowd-surfing, according to Akon, has always been a part of all his shows. The Freedom concert over here was no exception. He also praised the audience’s energy at the concert, describing the Malaysian crowd as “really incredible”.

“I got to say, the Malaysian fans at the concert outdid most of the crowds at my other shows,” said Akon with a smile.

The Freedom concert wasn’t his first Malaysian show. He had performed here twice back in 2007. However, this year’s event is his biggest here yet – and what an event it was. The fans’ long wait has finally paid off. Even Akon himself was thrilled. “There were no low points whatsoever throughout the concert. I was having fun all the way.”

Our home-grown acts – Nikki and Caprice – also received their share of applause as they performed at the concert’s opening.

 

“It’s always good to see new faces on the rise,” said Akon, referring to the two artistes. Aside from being a singer, he is also a producer, providing opportunities for newcomers under his label, Konvict Muzik.

The mention of steered the subject to a different direction – his personal life, particularly his past. Apparently, being an ex-con is not something Akon is ashamed of. He seems to even wear it with pride, especially with the Konvict branding.

Cool as ever, he responded to the questions with ease.

“In the early stages, my past has somehow helped me make my break in the industry. There’s a certain appeal to being an ex-criminal seeking a new lease on life, but now that I’ve become internationally-renowned, that same past sometimes makes things difficult for me.”

Akon’s criminal record has, on many occasions, complicated legal and immigration processes. He has been denied entry to quite a number of countries, thereby hindering him from doing any shows or performances over there. His superstar status doesn’t grant him the privilege of bypassing the red tape in certain parts of the world.

Asked about how life in prison was like, he explained that it wasn’t quite like what most people would imagine.

“Where I was detained, it wasn’t as terrible as those movies or shows you see on TV. The scenarios are mostly modelled after the prisons in New York, where there are a lot of gangsters. The correctional officers did a good job of keeping conflicts in check. There wasn’t too much chaos, but that doesn’t mean I want to go back there.

“My time in prison was where everything began, really.I mean, more than half of the songs on my albums were actually written when I was incarcerated,” he added. “So why Konvict? It’s a reminder for me of where not to be ever again in the future. I put the label on myself not because  I’m proud of being an ex-convict, but to remind myself never to go there anymore.”

Akon described Freedom as having a more fun sound, as well as a lighter emotional feel. With tracks like Beautiful and Sunny Day, it is a more laid-back take on things.

Akon makes it a point never to let his fame affect him. Unlike many other celebrities who ask for special privileges, he does things just like everybody else.

“I still queue up for tickets when I go to the movies. Yes, people recognise me in the streets, but I don’t let my fame prevent me from doing what I want to do. I don’t ask for shops to close just because I want to buy some stuff from them. I make it a point to be normal.”

He didn’t reveal much about his private life, despite efforts to coax him into giving away some details. “I don’t talk about my private life, because that way it won’t be private anymore.”

However, he did reveal that, given a choice between America and Africa, he would definitely choose the latter.

“In Africa, life is more family-oriented. I grew up in a small village in Senegal, and over there, family ties are really strong. We don’t get that kind of bond in America,” he explained. “I go back to Senegal every chance I get. It’s always great to be around family members and just escape the glitz and glamour for a while.” Akon the family man. Now, who would have thought of that?