Akon: I Knew Something Was Wrong When They Wanted to Shoot ‘Chop My Money’ Without May D
By Emmanuel Daniji
American-Senegalese music star Akon has opened up about his experience working with Nigerian singer May D and the Northside Entertainment crew during the production of the visuals for their hit collaboration, “Chop My Money.”
According to Akon, he immediately sensed that something was wrong when he was informed that May D would not appear in the music video, despite contributing his vocals to the song.
Akon described the decision as unprofessional and said he felt particularly uncomfortable with the idea of creating visuals for a successful record without allowing one of the artists whose voice featured prominently on the song to be part of the video.
“I first sensed something was wrong when management told me that May D would not appear in the video for a hit record that carried his golden voice,” Akon reportedly said.
The music star said he sympathised with May D, noting that an artist could find it painful to hear their voice become part of a successful record while being denied the opportunity to appear in its visuals.
‘I Insisted May D Be Brought to America’
Akon said he eventually insisted that May D be brought to the United States for the video shoot.
For him, the issue went beyond simply appearing in a music video.
He believed that an artist whose talent was contributing to a successful record should also have the opportunity to benefit from the visibility that comes with it.
“I insisted that May D be brought to America because I believe anyone whose talent is being heard deserves the opportunity to be seen,” he said.
“That is what fame is supposed to be about — opening doors, not closing them.”
The decision, according to Akon, gave him the opportunity to meet May D personally and gain a better understanding of the singer and his situation.
Akon Says He Saw Potential in May D
Akon said that when he eventually met May D, he saw a young artist with genuine musical potential.
However, he also believed that the singer lacked a strong understanding of the business side of the music industry.
“I saw a young man with genuine musical potential. But I also realized that, while he understood music, he didn’t fully understand the business behind it,” Akon said.
The observation reportedly prompted Akon to make May D a private offer that he believed could potentially help the Nigerian singer gain greater independence in his career.
‘It Was a Possible Ticket to His Freedom’
According to Akon, the offer was not intended as charity or a personal favour.
Rather, he saw it as an opportunity that could potentially help May D gain more control over his career.
“I felt for him. So I made him a private offer — not as a favor, but as a possible ticket to his freedom,” he said.
However, Akon claimed that the situation took an unexpected turn when May D allegedly shared details of the private offer with the person Akon believed was preventing him from achieving that freedom.
“Sadly, he turned around and shared that offer with the very person I believed was standing between him and that freedom,” he said.
‘Talent Can Open the Door’
For Akon, the experience became a lesson about the importance of understanding the business side of entertainment.
He suggested that having musical talent alone is not always enough to guarantee success or independence in the industry.
“Talent can open the door, but ignorance can keep you trapped outside it,” he said.
The comments have renewed attention on the complicated circumstances surrounding May D’s career and his association with the Northside Entertainment camp, particularly during the period when he was gaining recognition for his music.
The experience, as recalled by Akon, also highlights a broader challenge faced by emerging artists: navigating contracts, management relationships, ownership, visibility and the commercial side of the music business while trying to focus on their creative work.
For many musicians, the lesson is as important as the music itself—having a voice that people want to hear is only one part of building a successful career; knowing how to protect, position and profit from that talent can be just as important.
