Akon/Trinidad debacle

This happened almost a month ago, but its turning out to be a big big deal.

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Here is the article in case you have no idea what I'm talking about:


DROPPED: Akon

Verizon Wireless has pulled its sponsorship of R&B/hip-hop artiste Akon, Jim Gerace, the company's corporate strategy, policy manager, confirmed yesterday.

"We didn't provide a statement or have one. I simply told Fox that we decided this week to stop sponsoring Akon. That's all we have to say about it," Gerace said.

When asked about the reason for the end of the Verizon/Akon partnership, Gerace told the Express: "We did not give them (Fox) a reason. We made the decision this week is all we are saying."

According to a Fox News report, the partnership was ended because of the star's recent simulated sex dance with 15-year-old Danah Alleyne at the Zen nightclub in Port of Spain.

"This week the partnership ended," Fox News reported Verizon as saying of the decision.

"We have music services on our cellphone service and we were promoting him as one of the artists. The other part of the sponsorship was the Gwen Stefani tour, of which he was an opening act. We are no longer sponsoring the tour."

Akon was scheduled to perform at Gwen Stefani's tour, The Sweet Escape.

The 40-stop tour, which is in support of Stefani's second solo album, kicked off on April 22 and is scheduled to end on June 23 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, California.

Akon was scheduled to perform at some of the biggest arenas in the United States, including Giants Stadium. His ringtones have already been removed by the Verizon Wireless website.

To date Akon has released two albums, Trouble and Konvicted, each of which has produced huge hit singles, including "Don't Matter", "I Wanna Love You", "Smack That", and "Locked Up".

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What's your take?

OK, the girl was NOT supposed to be in an over-18 nightclub, and better precautions should be taken to prevent that in the future, but over 18 or not, what Akon did is DISGUSTING and VULGAR - my God, I can't even imagine how she feels...its like being raped with your clothes on

THE VIDEO, if you want to watch it. Warning - quite graphic.

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

Vulgar, to say the least. Not only was is completely inappropriate and served no purpose but he looked like he was throwing her around and was borderline violent. I couldn't see how she was reacting but I can't imagine that she was in any way comfortable with what he was doing. IMO regardless of her age, he is way out of line, minor or adult, he has no right to treat any woman this way.

Has he said anything about this?

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

sorry, this is really disturbing to me. The fact that the crowd was cheering while this insanity was going on amazes me. I guess people find that entertaining or something.

I agree with Verizons decision, I just hope they'd respond the same way if it happened with an adult woman. This garbage has to stop already.

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

Someone should have turned a hose on him!

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

Seriously- I'm sure he has a tour manager - they allow that?!?!

Wendy, you said it right. He is VIOLENT - after he's done humping her like a dog, he throws her down on the stage, turns his back, and walks away.

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

I cannot imagine that this is the first time he did this. But regardless, itis vile behavior.

Plenty of very popular artists bring fans on stage and this doesnt happen.

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I was at a Janet Jackson concert at MSG in 2003....she called a guy up on the stage, strapped him to a table, and proceeded to drag herself all over him. IMO, that was a little inappropriate and I couldn't believe she did that with all the pre-teen fans she had in the audience, but it was NOTHING like this - not even close.

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

It takes a lot to shock me... but that really went too far..

it WAS violent and vulgar and not remotely 'sexual' or provacative.. just disgusting IMO

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There must be something really wrong with me because I don't think it's that bad, aside from the fact that she is 15 of course. But she sure doesn't look 15 and I wonder how is he supposed to know she is underage if she is in an 18 and over club?

Message edited 5/6/2007 11:55:51 PM.

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

Posted by evenedan

There must be something really wrong with me because I don't think it's that bad, aside from the fact that she is 15 of course. But she sure doesn't look 15 and I wonder how is he supposed to know she is underage if she is in an 18 and over club?

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

That is absolutely DISGUSTING. I used to like him...NO MORE! PIG!!!!!!!!!

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That was absolutely disgusting! Women are not a piece of meat you drag all over and then walk away from when you're finished. He did the same thing to Tara Reid a while back only there were 2 men doing it.

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

Posted by evenedan

There must be something really wrong with me because I don't think it's that bad, aside from the fact that she is 15 of course. But she sure doesn't look 15 and I wonder how is he supposed to know she is underage if she is in an 18 and over club?

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

Posted by Jessica

Posted by evenedan

There must be something really wrong with me because I don't think it's that bad, aside from the fact that she is 15 of course. But she sure doesn't look 15 and I wonder how is he supposed to know she is underage if she is in an 18 and over club?

DITTO!!!!!

im sorry, but i bet after he did that other women were dying to get on stage for him to do that to them!!!

its not his fault shes 15

Other celebrities do worse

HELLO!!!Billy idol licked a girls privates at a concert 2 years ago
theres even a video of that on you tube

Re: Akon/Trinidad debacle

I think its vulgar, however in that community, that culture, it might not be seen as abnormal! I just saw a video on the MTV, the Cupids Chokehold one and the little kids playing Cupid are dancing in (what I think) is an inappropriate manner (pelvises flying all over the place...) I think part of the issue is that in the west indies, perhaps, its acceptable. But not if it were my daughter. And I am pretty live and let live.

Don't know if they should have taken away his sponsorship though...