Concert Review - “Superfan Tour” by Akon

If you’re not giving your fans an hour and a half to two hours of straight hits, what are you touring for?

Akon had no problem fulfilling this task at the Super Fan Tour when he made his stop in Detroit. This show was good for the soul! The show opened with DJ Nektunez giving us a nice lengthy set with classic Hip-Hop and R&B, mixing with energetic music from around the world.

As I watched from the pit as the crowd packed inside for the sold-out show, he kept us dancing, singing, and having good vibes.

I was preparing to take my photos, and it was time. The lights went dim, and Akon’s DJ, Benny Demus, stepped out on stage with a blinged see-out mask on(that I loved) and proceeded behind his turntables. To my surprise, he JUMPED from behind them and came center stage to kick off the show and get the crowd hype to receive Akon.

His energy and whole aura were like something you’ve never seen before from a DJ, and he was by far the greatest hype man I have ever witnessed. He kept this precedence and stayed beside Akon throughout the entire night. He did not slow down.

Akon hit the stage with one goal and one goal only, delivering the fan-favorite hits. He did just that and more as he transported us back to the good ole days, moving effortlessly through genres with an all-you-can-eat buffet of hits as the diverse crowd sang word for word. Akon is the original Mr. Features; before there was T-pain (who was signed by Akon), Akon was the one who was on everybody and anybody’s track, giving us a hook or a verse on timeless songs like “Soul Survivor,” “Bartender," “Play hard,” and “Out here Grinding.”

He performed those and a bunch of other features along with his solo chart toppers, “I’m So Paid,” "I Wanna Love You," “Beautiful,” Hypnotized,” and “Smack That,” the list never stopped. I didn’t remember how extensive Akon’s catalog was until I was in the crowd reciting song after song as the lyrics vomited out my mouth as if my mind palace door that holds these songs had just been unlocked and was spilling out everywhere. I love island music (I’m an island girl), so once he made his way into the international part of the night, I for sure felt like I was on somebodies island on vacation chilling, vibing, and dancing my butt off to “ Danza Kuduro,” and “Mama Africa.”

It goes without saying that I’m looking to book my next vacation. Akon gave us good vibes with high energy the entire night, with the party continuously building. From multiple outfit changes, “When I switch outfits that means the last part of the show ended, and the next party began,” playing the Bongo drums, spraying the crowd with water, and a special appearance from Konvict Kultures own “Amirror” as she performed her single “Move” and new single “Far Away” with Akon, there was always a level up of excitement that the crowd couldn’t get enough of.

What I loved most about the night was the message he was promoting: hope, happiness, love, peace, and togetherness, and reminding us that music has a powerful impact and that it brings us all together.

Behind the performance of “I Tried.” He addressed the crowd, and the overall message was how he never gave up and for us to continue pushing, keep our heads up, and keep grinding, amongst other heart-hitting reflecting words. Someone definitely walked out feeling lighter. Akon is an icon, and the night was nothing short of amazing as he took us on this powerful journey of music. He ended the night by giving us an exclusive listen to his new song “Bar,” which is a continuation of “Bartender” by T-Pain, asking the crowd if T-Pain should feature on the track, and the answer was yes.