I thought the plane was a metal bird – Akon recalls his first time leaving Senegal

Akon recently shared his journey on The Sherri Show, as reported by MyNewsGh. He spoke about growing up in the small village of Kawak. Now, he is a global superstar.

“I feel blessed every single day I wake up,” Akon said. He reflected on how much his life has changed.

Akon recalled that he had no idea what America was as a child. “The concept of the United States wasn’t even in my mind,” he explained. He remembered thinking of himself as just a kid from Kawak.

His first flight was terrifying for him. “I was fighting everybody, thinking I was actually going into an actual bird,” he laughed. Coming from horses and carriages to an airplane was shocking.

When he landed in New York, he saw towering buildings. “I thought I died and went to heaven,” he said. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

His first meal in America also left an impression on him. “Frosted Flakes. The most delicious cereal,” he recalled with a smile.

These experiences have shaped Akon's mission in life. “I don’t think God put me on this earth to just sing and dance,” he stated. He believes there must be something bigger for him to do.

For Akon, that purpose is giving back to Africa. Through his Konfidence Foundation, he has remodeled schools and built playgrounds in rural areas. His efforts also include providing electricity to communities. “I feel like that’s my purpose — to help rebuild Africa,” he said.