Senegalese-American singer Akon has pushed back against the popular perception that musicians are swimming in wealth, arguing that the reality behind the spotlight is often very different.
According to him, the glamorous displays of luxury frequently seen on social media and in music videos do not reflect the true financial position of many recording artists, most of whom are not as financially secure as the public believes.
In an interview with Hip Hop Eye, Akon stressed that while the music industry can be highly profitable, the biggest earnings are often concentrated away from the performers themselves, with executives and behind-the-scenes professionals taking a larger share of the revenue.
“In the music industry, the artist is the last to get paid. He is the broke one, but he is the most famous. If you want to be broke and famous, be the artist.
“But if you want to make real money, go to other sectors of the music business, like being a producer, songwriter, manager, agent, or attorney. There are so many areas in the entertainment field that you can really maximise,” Akon reportedly stated.
