Akon appeared to be making his way toward the barricaded VIP section, trying to interact with the rowdy crowd. In seconds, things escalated: instead of handshakes, a few of the people up front started tugging hard at Akon's pants. (Image Source: Instagram/zumairkhaja)
Akon's much-talked-about India Tour took a wrong turn on his November 14 stop in Bengaluru, creating an uproar on social media.
What was supposed to be a high-energy show became awkward for the world-renowned singer, especially during his hit song 'Sexy Bitch.'
The fallout began after a video of the concert surfaced online and showed the awkward exchange.
Akon appeared to be making his way toward the barricaded VIP section, trying to interact with the rowdy crowd. In seconds, things escalated: instead of handshakes, a few of the people up front started tugging hard at Akon's pants.
The viral clip unmistakably reveals how the artist tried to be professional even as he was simultaneously dealing with the unsolicited physical contact.
Akon can be visibly seen readjusting his clothing multiple times throughout the brief interaction, conveying his discomfort at the incident, even as he continued to sing.
This moment from the Bengaluru show has attracted a great deal of online attention and debate, somewhat overshadowing the otherwise positive reception his other performances in India received.
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Akon, real name Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, burst into the international music scene in the mid-2000s, performing a type of R&B and hip-hop influenced by West African music. His discography includes numerous chart-topping hits around the world, easily recognizable.
Some of his most famous and celebrated songs are the following:
The artist has previously traveled to India. Notably, Akon's biggest previous visit was in 2011, when he performed in multiple cities, including Gurgaon (now Gurugram) and Bengaluru.
Besides, he has strong musical ties with the Indian film industry, having collaborated on popular Bollywood tracks.
Most famously, he sang the hit track 'Chammak Challo' for the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Ra.One in 2011, bringing his music to an even wider Indian audience.
The Bengaluru concert offered up an unfortunate viral moment, but Akon's decades-long affinity for his Indian audience is clearly still intact, and he continues to be among the most recognizable international artists to tour the country.
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