Akon signs Nigerian music video director

In a short video posted online, both men ride in a car as Akon introduces the Nigerian. “Patrick Elis…the official director of Konvict Africa, matter of fact for the continent,” says Akon.

“Your eyes can only see what is delivered to you and this man can deliver you the best, and he's getting very expensive, so if you gat a relationship, you might wanna keep that relationship. Because in a minute,” Akon adds, then yelps and laughs.

Although details of the deal have yet to emerge, the announcement is the latest episode in a series of moves seeing Akon associate increasingly with Africa and its resident artists. In 2012, he contributed a verse to the remix of the P-Square hit song ‘Chop My Money’.

Akon was also on the remix to ‘Roll It’ by Banky W and Wizkid. These collaborations notwithstanding, a rumoured deal involving the signing of some Nigerian artists to Akon’s Konvict Music label never quite became official. Nonetheless, Akon has been seen partying with some Nigerian artists.

Away from musical collaborations, Akon embarked on a project providing towns in some African countries with electricity. Since the project began in 2014, operations have started in about a dozen countries including Niger and Akon's home country Senegal.

Elis first drew attention for his work with Wizkid on the latter’s video for the 2010 song ‘Holla At Your Boy’. Since then, he has worked with a slew of Nigeria’s popular artists including, Timaya, Tekno and Kiss Daniel. Last year, he won the AFRIMMA award for Best Director.