Akon Announces New Country Album and World Tour 2026: Exclusive Interview on Musical Transformation

In a candid conversation, global star Akon opens up to his fans, announcing major surprises that await them. After a prolific artistic journey, the artist explains why he now feels an unprecedented level of energy and how he's rediscovering his passion for music through a completely new gateway: country music. Get ready for an extraordinary journey with one of the most distinctive voices as he shares the story of his creative transformation, his plans to reintroduce his greatest hits in a new style, and details of his first world tour in years - all while experiencing peak artistic freedom as a fully independent artist.

Akon Details Forthcoming Country Album, World Tour & Why His Energy Is At An "All-Time High"

Now a fully independent artist, the Senegalese-American star is eager to explore another side of his musicality and "give people music that really feels good."

Evolving as an Artist

Evolving as an artist can take many forms. Some individuals completely alter their persona, while others develop a totally new sonic direction. However, there are creators who, after years of producing popular hits, finally get to pursue the artistic direction they have always desired. This describes the situation for artist Akon, who is now creating a space for himself within the country music scene.

"Country is a passion project. It's an opportunity for me to actually do what I always wanted to do," Akon says. "Now that I'm fully independent and own my masters, I'm free to do what I need to do and put my money where I want to put it."

A New Musical Direction

This might be a surprising shift for supporters of the Senegalese-American singer/songwriter, who established a chart-topping career with hip-hop and R&B hits like "I Wanna Love You" and "Smack That." Although that has been his primary focus since his peak in the mid-2000s, Akon has also experimented with dance music and even put out a Spanish-language album, "El Negreeto," in 2019. However, as indicated by two of his 2025 releases—collaborations with Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox ("Hold the Umbrella," also featuring De La Ghetto) and rising country singer Josh Ross ("Drunk Right Now," a reinterpretation of his 2008 hit "Right Now")—country music feels as natural to him as any genre he has ever worked in.

In fact, Akon enjoys the genre so much that he intends to remake his most significant hits with a country influence. He is remaining secretive about the project's featured guests or release date but suggests it will be out by the end of the year.

Balancing the Old and the New

This new musical endeavor does not mean Akon is entirely moving away from his original sound. In recent years, he has released numerous collaborations across hip-hop, R&B, Latin, and Afrobeats genres, along with a few standalone solo singles, like his reflective 2024 anthem "Akon's Beautiful Day," that align with the hits that made him famous. Furthermore, his live performances still highlight his beloved hits, and social media has even rediscovered one of his older gems.

Between celebrating his past and investigating new sounds, Akon insists he has never been more excited about creating music than he is at this moment.

"When you [have] been in the business for so long, you start to lose your love for it," the singer explains. "My mindset and how I'm approaching all this is totally different [now]. My energy is completely at an all time high. I feel like a brand new artist again."

Reigniting the Passion for Music

Akon discussed reigniting his passion for music, being welcomed by the country community, attracting a younger audience, and the possibility of a legacy tour.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

On His New Era

How would you describe this new era you're entering?

I believe this new phase for me will involve more activity on the executive side. I genuinely want to reshape music back into feel-good music, the kind that reminds you of specific moments in your life. There is a lot of music available, but it does not give me that nostalgic feeling where, ten years from now, I can play this record and think, "This was a classic."

I feel many records are hastily assembled just to gain views and streams. I truly want to re-enter the music industry and provide people with music that feels good and has meaning in their everyday lives once again.

The Country Music Catalog

You've been working on redoing your whole catalog in the style of country music. Where did this idea come from?

Interestingly, I grew up listening to nothing but country and reggae. I was introduced to hip-hop upon arriving in the U.S., but in Africa at that time, music wasn't divided by genre—good music was just good music.

When I came to the States and began creating music, I was writing records as if they were country. I think that is what also gave me that distinct style and melody, because I was blending African melodies with a country mindset, combined with hip-hop beats. Even now, as I record all my new songs, they return to the original way I wanted to do it, and it flows correctly, as if these songs were always country.

Collaborating with Josh Ross

You recently collaborated with country artist Josh Ross on a reimagined version of your hit single "Right Now," to create "Drunk Right Now." Tell me about that process.

I am a fan of Josh Ross. I have always built my career by assisting others in building their careers. I have always possessed genuine energy and excitement for collaborating with up-and-coming artists whom I believe are the future and will take the world by storm. Josh is one of those individuals. He is making significant progress in country music.

He has been a fan since he was young and even had country renditions of my older songs. I thought, "Wow, he fits the profile of what we're looking for." So, we ended up doing the song, Josh selected it, and the rest is history. I felt he was the perfect artist to begin the process because he has been a fan from the beginning. It made complete sense to do it with him.

Recreating the Hits

Aside from "Right Now," what other songs do you plan on recreating?

I am redoing "Smack That," "Locked Up," "Sexy Bitch," "Mr. Lonely," "Don't Matter," and "Hypnotized." Essentially, all the main hits.

Entering the Country Scene

Now that you're entering the country scene, have you felt embraced or have you faced some pushback? Artists like Shaboozey, Beyoncé, and K. Michelle have had challenges being fully accepted into the community — so I want to know what your experience has been like?

My experience has been incredible and very welcoming. I feel like I am at home—perhaps because of the approach I selected. I truly wanted not only to pay homage to the genre but also to collaborate with the people who helped build it. I think that might be the error many artists make. I consider what it took to build that genre, its current status, and how long it took to become mainstream. It is about respecting the genre, the creative process, and involving the people who helped construct the genre itself.

My entire album is being produced in Nashville, with all the major writers, producers, and influential figures who have been a part of country music forever. I am involving everyone, but beyond that, for the sake of respect, I also wanted to learn and ensure that when I do it, it sounds authentic as well.

More than anything, I wanted them to accept it. It is similar to trying to create Afrobeats. You might think it is easy, but if you go to places in Africa where it is flourishing, you get a better product. You involve the people who are there to help build it. You receive a better reception.

Viral Trend on Social Media

Your 2005 single, "Soul Survivor" with Young Jeezy has become a popular sound on a social media platform as of late. Have you seen the trend? If so, what was your first reaction?

Oh yes, I definitely noticed the trend. It feels amazing, especially for a street record like that to see it go mainstream in a way. When that record was released, it achieved its purpose, but it did not cross over to the pop side. This trend, however, gave it access to the pop market and pop audience. It introduced us to a young generation that probably was not familiar with that record.

I sometimes think everyone knows this record. I thought that too. I believed everyone knew me—until I appeared on the radio show "On The Radar," and then I realized that this generation did not even know who I was. It feels good to be accepted by the younger generation and also to be respected, with people still recognizing that you are relevant enough to entertain the generation you came from.

World Tour Plans

Is there a greatest hits tour in the works?

Absolutely! I am currently organizing the world tour. All of this will contribute to the excitement and the rebuilding of myself, and reintroducing my catalog to the younger generation—giving them the experience they were not born to see. But more than anything, I am giving my current audience the chance to re-experience what they thought this was, but in its current form.

I am approaching all of this completely differently; my energy is at an all-time high. I feel like a brand new artist again, and this is the feeling I wanted to experience. When you have been in the business for a long time, you can start to lose your love for it. Now, because of the internet and seeing how people react to certain songs on social media, it provides another creative level to explore and also gives you the chance to entertain a brand new market. It feels amazing to see that this new opportunity exists for me today.

Nurturing Passion and Fire

After so many years in the industry, how do you continue to nurture that passion and fire for your work?

I believe it goes back to finding your passion, and music is a passion for me. My granddad always said that whatever you do for your profession, make sure you love it, and ensure it is something you would actually do for free. Anything you do consistently, you will become great at, and people will pay you for that service.

The first half of my career was all about the money—it was more of a business for me. Now, it is more enjoyable. It is not even about the money anymore because I am in a good position. So now, I can creatively release anything I want to do and enjoy doing it without worrying about any pushback or comments.

Future Plans and Konvict Kulture

Aside from the upcoming project, what can listeners and fans expect from you in the future?

We have recently refurbished Konvict Muzik into Konvict Kulture, and we have many new artists releasing music. The entire idea is to promote every artist I believe in, providing them with a platform to emerge while opening the door for them to truly flourish. We have Sheesh from Elkhart, Indiana. Those are the individuals I featured on "Ghetto Livin," (released June 2025).

We will also be introducing many new artists as we progress. I have CAMINO, who is my country artist based in Nashville, and he will be releasing music as well. I am aiming to launch 10-15 artists per year, giving them all opportunities to reach their final destination.