For the past decade, Akon has been on a mission to transform his legacy. The onetime purveyor of problematically titled pop anthems—from "Smack That" to "Sexybytch"—is now a social entrepreneur and even a potential presidential candidate.
Already, his four-year-old solar panel initiative, Akon Lighting Africa, has brought electricity to hundreds of communities in 15 countries, including Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal, where the St. Louis, Missouri native spent much of his childhood.
Newsweek talked to Akon about his plans for his city and going head-to-head with President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
You have a lot of grand plans. Are you going to run for president?
I've been thinking about running for 2020 very seriously. But I didn't want to just do it because I feel like I want to continue doing what I'm doing and hope that builds me enough momentum [for people] to say, "You know what, if you run we'll support you."
Akon is 'very seriously' considering taking on Trump in 2020 presidential race
Konvict Muuuuuuuuuusiiiick



