Akon tells this riveting story of how he managed to build a lucrative multi-million dollar car theft ring.
Not many people in the world boast a background or business savvy quite like Akon. Born in Missouri and raised in Africa, the Konvict chief did considerably well in music throughout much of the 2000s before taking a break for more noble pursuits. The Senegalese-American artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist recently sat down for a mini tell-all with VLADTV, detailing among other things Akoin, his self dubbed cryptocurrency, how he once coordinated an elaborate and lucrative car theft ring and shared lessons on overcoming the legacy of slavery.
In true irony, the ex-felon turned CEO shot to the top of the charts in 2001 with a track called “Locked Up” on his very own record label, Konvict Music. But back in 1997, the broke youngster was looking for a ‘sweet escape’ from a life of menial jobs. His hustler mentality kicked in, and though he always knew music was his calling, he got sidetracked and then led right back to his first love. The road to him earning a criminal record was a checkered path of dodging options that “don’t add up,” and drug dealing, with its hefty sentences, which he says was “definitely not it.”
“I got hip to the car theft stuff coz I was working at a barber shop and n*****s would be just kinda rolling around, everytime you see ‘em, they come in a new different car. One of my homies came, he’s like yo man, you know, you should get into this, there’s some good money in it. And I was like how much you makin’? He said man, s***, I’m makin’ like 40, 50 thousand dollars a week And at that time I was like what?! I said but what do you do, he says nothing, we just jack these cars, toss ‘em to my man, all we gotta do is get the cars and bring it in, that’s it. Pop and deliver, done. Ten thousand a joint, let’s do it.”
Admitting to his curiosity and intrigue while learning the ropes, he earned the trust of the Jamaican ring leader, who taught him everything from VIN numbers to the ins and outs of various models. By the time he moved to Atlanta, he was no novice, able to “put it all together” to continue his line of work. Actively involved in armed robberies, Akon was still looking for an easier route, however, saying his “heart wouldn’t take it every time he pulled a gun out on somebody to make them get out the car.”
Scouting for a “cleaner way,” Akon got a bright idea when he saw the valet box at a posh restaurant with hundreds of unsupervised car keys. “That became the thing, whenever he go off to get the car, I just find a key, just peel any one, it didn’t matter coz I just wanted to get rid of ‘em. Then I had so many cars parked up in like parking lots, malls, apartment complexes,” he said. Finding success with his new method, he grew his operations to include two of his friends, who would later play a role in his arrest. The team was so skilled they’d “go to dealerships, test drive a car, and never come back.”
He added valets who scoop him spare keys and DMV staff for car registration in his mastermind efforts, laundering his money through the three studios he built and allowed people to use for free. But all good things, even such advanced operations, come to an end, and Akon was eventually sold out by one of his partners. Due to his calculated moves, however, there was little evidence to put him away for very long, and he did 6 months despite being caught in a ‘registered stolen car with State Farm insurance and a clean VIN number.’ He served a total of three years in prison nonconsecutively on other related charges and received three years’ probation.
Not at all embarrassed or bound by his past, Akon went on to soar to fame cleverly invoking many justice system references. In an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Akon claims it was all deliberate, “but only to remind myself of where I’d come from, what I’ve been through, and what I don’t want to go back to. You know what’s funny? When I was in and out of jail and decided to go full-speed at this music business thing, I came up with this plan where the top goal was to work with Michael Jackson and retire in like 2018. Now I’ve already worked with Michael. And it’s looking like retirement might happen earlier,” he said.
Also, on the matter of the past, Akon spoke on the enduring wounds of slavery, saying Black Americans could “overcome” and better allocate their energy and efforts at improvement by simply “letting go.” In a statement that has unsurprisingly drawn much criticism on social media, the “Trouble” hitmaker said, “I think it’s the art of just letting the past go and moving towards the future, and I think, in the U.S., they have this stigma of just not letting go of the past and blaming the past on every mishap or, you know, disappointment.” “I think as long as you hold onto that past, there’s a lot of weight that you carry with you everywhere you go. It’s hard to move forward and move fast when you got a weight on your back. You just gotta let it go,” he said.
Masicka racked up the views for his new video, “Just A Minute.”
Masicka is once again on his way back to what is seemingly his favorite chill spot—#1 on trending—with his latest set of visuals for “Just A Minute.” Released a couple hours ago, the video is currently number 7 on trending and has racked up over 100K views on YouTube already.
The Genahsyde recording artiste has recently been appointed as an ambassador for Dragon Stout, adding to the sold-out worldwide gigs and International Reggae and World Music Award (IRAWMA) nominations that have followed him into a successful, lucrative year. The deejay has made consistent strides in his nearly five-year career and is back to take over summer 2020 with a scorching new banger for the ladies.
Filmed on location at Sabina Park, Masicka matches the playful metaphors of the song with scenes fit for flexing with some hot ladies.
“Wull on mek me tell dem how mi grow fi a minute/ Get ****y fast neva slow fi a minute/ Suit out to di shoes mout’ mi nuh gimmick/ Shoot out every tools out mi a bring it/ Get di food doh buy a new house every minute/ Have a few house inna di pool house mi ah dig it/ She ready fi do it all, yeh mi trick it/ If yuh hear she lick di ball ano cricket,” he spits.
The horns featured in the riff of the Dunwell produced hit come to life as members of a marching band clad in bright red on the field surrounding the ‘Leader” deejay as he lays bars across the driving beat.
Continuing on his “winning streak”, this latest video is set to rise to the top of streaming charts, possibly outperforming “Grandfather,” which was viewed almost as many times as the Beenie/ Bounty Verzuz Battle after its premiere in May.
The Smiths sat down for a special episode of ‘Red Table Talk.’
As promised, Jada Pinkett Smith brought herself to the infamous red table but she wasn’t alone. Will Smith joined his wife to address August Alsina’s claims in a special mini-episode of Red Table Talk that premiered on Friday (July 10).
Jada confirmed that she was once in a relationship with the 27-year-old singer while “separated” from Will. According to Jada, things with Alsina started out as a platonic friendship before turning into something more.
“As time went on, I got into a different kind of entanglement with August,” she admitted.
The actress went on to clarify that Will never August “permission” to date her. “The only person that can give permission in that particular circumstance is myself,” she said. “I could see how he would perceive it as ‘permission’ because we were separated amicably and I think he also wanted to make it clear that he’s not a home wrecker — which he’s not.
“I was in a lot of pain. I was broken. I definitely realized that you can’t find happiness outside of yourself, and luckily enough, you and I were going through a process of healing in a much different manner,” Jada told Will. “I would definitely say we did everything we could to get away from each other only to realize that that wasn’t possible.”
Later in the talk, Will asked Jada what she was looking for in August. “I just wanted to feel good,” she said. “And it was really a joy just to heal somebody.”
The couple, who have been together for 25 years, also revealed their relationship mantra: “We ride together. We die together. Bad marriage for life.”
Lil Uzi Vert and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie gathered the team for a parking lot party in “Flood My Wrist” video.
Lil Uzi Vert fans were excited to see the rapper deliver on his promise to keep the new music coming Wednesday when he showed up in the music video for “Flood My Wrist” along with A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Don Q. The production, which seems to have been filmed pre-quarantine, features the trio partying amongst strippers in their lavish homes, inside a strip club, and in the club’s parking lot. The song is credited primarily to Boogie and Don Q, both of whom are represented by Boogie’s label, Highbridge. Some fans speculate the label may be planning a Highbridge album featuring all the company’s artists.
The video, which was directed by Picture Perfect, features trippy imagery and plenty of beautiful women showering in cash. A Boogie takes care of the hook throughout the song while Uzi and Q take turns delivering braggadocious verses about their extravagant lifestyles and love for partying. The scenes are notably packed with crowds, a rare sight these days in the era of the coronavirus pandemic. The song and video offer a kind of escapism for fans who are unable to have fun outside their houses.
Lil Uzi Vert was conspicuously absent from the music scene for a long while before the release of his much-anticipated album, Eternal Atake, so fans are happy to see him continuing to put in work in the studio. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on the other hand seems to be dedicating a great deal of his time and energy into building a successful label, and has spoken before about his desire to create superstars and earn a powerful reputation in the music industry. Only time will tell if Boogie is able to sustain his career and the careers of those he represents during this tumultuous time in history.
Dancehall hitmaker Stylo G adds CPL legend Chris Gayle to his impressive list of remix collaborators.
If there’s anything Stylo G has mastered in his short time on the scene, it’s unique, magnetic riddims and star power remixes. The newcomer has secured celebrity medleys with industry heavy-hitters Vybz Kartel & Nicki Minaj on 2018’s “Mmhmm” and Sean Paul & Spice on the party anthem “Dumplin.” He recently turned his sights to the sporting arena for some legendary talent to amp up his pre-summer smash “Too Hot,” originally released back in April. The remix features none other than former West Indies Cricket Captain Chris Gayle, who takes a swing at his first record after an impressive T20 career. The visuals combine sultry neon lit scenes with sunny, outdoor party vibes, plus an all female cricket match with the “six machine” sportsman as the watchful umpire.
Playing up his longtime moniker, “Universe Boss” the former batsman drops some serious bars, bowling us over with some clever punchlines on his extravagant, hard-hitting lifestyle: Ah di millionaire laugh/ Chris Gayle, di Universe Boss/ Man hotta dan a pepper inna pot/ Stylo time fi shoot di verse fast/ Nah stop ah four, mi ah slap dem fi six/ Mi nuh waste time check di watch pon mi wrist/ Deh pon di road like tyre, ova di worl’ man hot like fire/ Mi ah get gyal long before cricket, she book it, nuh miss it, first class ticket/ She see mi style an mi neva haffi trick it/ Di same night mi haffi bowl out di wicket..” he spits.
Stylo delivers with his usual grit and genius, stunting like the remix boss that he’s proven to be time after time. There’s no doubt among fans that this one will steal the season, batting away the competition as it climbs the charts.
“‘Same Prayer’ is, in part, a prayer for the younger generation to reflect on internally.”
Do not be deceived by the gorgeous vistas of Jamaican mountainscape displayed in the visuals for Chronixx’s “Same Prayer.”
The subtly crafted song is more concerned with navigating the treacherous terrain of humanity’s inner landscape than enjoying the view outside. And it’s definitely not all zen, yoga, and spirulina. “There’s so much good in the world,” Chronixx sings, “and still evil a lurk.” The song finds him beseeching the Almighty (Jah) to protect him and his loved ones (I and I) “from the ones who nuh care ’bout the fact we share the same air / and the blood that we bleed is alike.” In other words, it’s a song for this exact moment—when people are dying every day and nobody seems to have the answers. A time when we all do what we need to do. Seen? By the end of the third verse, Chronixx is left crying a river of tears and hoping Jah Jah hears. Then it’s time to touch the road—”Tuck it inna me waist and start up the bike.” Today Boomshots and VIBE proudly premiere the official visuals for “Same Prayer.”
This is the second song we’ve heard from Dela Splash, the follow-up to Chronixx’s Grammy-nominated debut Chronology. Where “Dela Move” explored fast-forward flows and trap-influenced drum patterns, the newly released Zion I Kings–produced track is grounded within the ancient traditions of the Niyabinghi order.
Judging by the first fruits of Chronixx’s labor, the sonic palette of the new album will be diverse and the mindset noticeably hardened. Sorta like when 3 Feet High & Rising gave way to De La Soul Is Dead. While any similarities between the Long Island rap trio De La Soul and Jamar McNaughton’s beloved De La Vega City may be coincidental, both artists are attuned to Da Inner Sound Y’all.
“‘Same Prayer’ is, in part, a prayer for the younger generation to reflect on internally,” Chronixx explains to Boomshots. “It’s also a reminder that there is a greater power directing things in the physical space.” On the timeless tune “Exodus,” Bob Marley challenged listeners to “open your eyes and look within.” Chronixx approaches his latest release with similar introspection: “Instead of looking for solutions in our material lives,” he advises, “we can both reach out to this higher power and look deep within ourselves.”
The Chron Dada is joined on this one by longtime sparring partner Kabaka Pyramid. “It seems only a divine Power can help humanity at this point,” says Kabaka. “This song is a call to reach deeply within oneself to find that Power, and ask It to guide and protect against the unknown elements along the way. So many things happening in realms that we are not yet able to perceive with our limited senses. Until we reach that stage we must trust the process with faith and determination.”
The creative chemistry between these two artists is bubbling as usual, although Kabaka is better known for rattling off bar after bar of deadly wordplay, “Same Prayer” finds him in a more melodic mood. “Give thanks for this work of art Chronixx,” he says, “I’m glad to lend some smooth vocals to it 😅” Don’t get it misconstrued though, Kabaka’s lyrics are as accurate as ever. When he declares himself to be “confident in the victory,” he’s quoting Haile Selassie I by way of Bob Marley’s classic anti-racist anthem “War.”
Kabaka first met Chronixx in April 2011 while celebrating his earthstrong (Rasta slang for “birthday”) at Protoje’s house in Kingston. “At the time I was recording my first reggae EP Rebel Music,” Kabaka recalls, “and Protoje had given me some beats produced by Chronixx and Teflon (Zincfence). Our mutual respect was instant and still remains years later.” Since then the pair have given us memorable musical moments like “Mi Alright” and “Blessed is the Man.”
“It’s always a joy to collaborate with Chronman because he’s simply a genius in the studio,” says Kabaka. “Everything he does somehow just works. On ‘Same Prayer’ I wrote my verse and he recorded and coached my vocals at Skyline Levels studio. You can give him a lot of the credit for the sweet vocals I delivered—haha.”
