T-Pain took issue with a Vlad TV interview in which Akon assessed the AutoTune purveyor’s career. The multi-platinum selling singer responded to his former boss’ remarks about him plateauing in the music industry on Wednesday (August 26).
“The very ppl that held me back is tellin y’all how I could’ve been bigger,” T-Pain wrote via Twitter.
He added, “I’m not angry at all. I’ve grown. I’ve learned how to keep moving forward and not look back. Some ppl don’t and that’s ok. They’ll get there at their pace. But I’m no longer gonna to allow my past to determine my future. I’m in control. See y’all on the brighter side. Love y’all.”
T-Pain signed with Akon’s Konvict Muzik in 2005 for the release of his debut album Rappa Ternt Sanga. He released four more albums through the imprint before dropping 2019’s 1Up. The project marked the first LP that Pain didn’t release under Akon’s label.
In an interview with DJ Vlad, Akon claimed T-Pain’s success in music stalled because the Tallahassee native didn’t try to expand into other genres.
“T-Pain never left the hood,” Akon said. “He just confined his music to urban music. ‘Cause I saw T-Pain as another me to be able to cross outside of urban, go into pop, go into EDM, go into Latin. I still think to this day he could do it. I would enter through the Latin side today though because he could definitely do it. But that was the only reason [he didn’t].”
T-Pain Announces New Career Chapter & Motivation For All
He continued, “Urban audiences aren’t loyal. Every year there’s a new nigga. So, you gotta take full advantage, maximize your urban presence and then right as that new side nigga coming, you exit. Give him his space. ‘Cause if not, that’s just how it is. And some people try so hard to hold on, but Hip Hop is a sticker and mover. It don’t stick around long enough unless you continue to reinvent yourself.”
Listen to what Akon had to say about T-Pain below.
Hmm Eminem ..Jay..Nas..Kendrick..Cole..I really could go on about the guys who actually didn’t reinvent but just mastered their craft. Akon isn’t as musically inclined as I originally thought..first he says Drake sounded like Em that’s why he passed..and now this? Because of you really think about all rappers use AUTOTUNE no need to crossover when you’re literally in the most stream genre and wtf he’s talking about urban..you fool suburban kids are the one eating this shit up ..going to the concerts etc. Rappers are becoming like rock bands of old..all of them are gaining loyalist following ..look at fucking playboi carti he hasn’t dropped in forever but his fans cling to him ..Akon is out of touch and Lowkey sounds like a sellout..bruh keep building up your city in Africa with the money CHINA loaned you ..right.
BINGO my man. Mic drop! 100 fires for this comment
I mean he says T-pain should have moved on from urban music like he did, but I feel like T-pain is more relevant in 2020. I could be wrong, I don’t really keep up anymore, but I haven’t heard a new Akon feature in years.
You will soon enough. Tekashi 6ix9ine new album is to be released on september 4th, 2020. And on that album, you got a track “Locked Up Part 2” featuring Akon.
“Urban audiences” = Black people.
Translation: “Black people aren’t loyal”
i see what akon is saying but he kinda sold out to get that pop/edm audience…something I don’t think tpain was quite willing to do. i think tpain was concerned with his own integrity rather than simply chase the bag….i will say this…akon is right about hiphop being fickle..especially in this day in age…ppl forget about you in a week…its all clout chasing
I think what happened with T-pain was he started off as the auto tune guy and it was new and fresh and dope but but once hip hop caught on and every one was doing it . He ain’t really stand out no more and his sound started to sound like that old t pain . He probably should re invented his sound some how but he never did and he got left behind