EXCLUSIVE: Akon: I Only Got $12K when I Signed My First Major Label Deal with SRC Records

Part 7: Akon & Vlad Get into Heated Debate Over Akon Doing 'Locked Up 2' with Tekashi
Part 7: Akon & Vlad Get into Heated Debate Over Akon Doing 'Locked Up 2' with Tekashi
Part 5: Akon on Getting Caught for Running Car Theft Ring, Gun Charge, Doing 3 Years
Part 1: Akon on Growing Up in Senegal, Vlad Crying When He Visited Slave Island

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While many people's introduction to Akon was "Locked Up," his first major appearance was on The Fugees' "Fu-Gee-La (Sly & Robbie Remix)." Akon described what it was like being apart of the Refugee Camp and admitted he was the one in the collective that always had one foot in and one foot out.The music artist also detailed what it was like witnessing The Fugees blow up while he was incarcerated, describing it as the biggest wake-up call.

Upon moving to Atlanta, Akon linked up with music executive Devyne Stephens and eventually signed with Steve Rifkind's SRC Records. He went on to confirm that he was on a promo tour for a year and a half before "Locked Up" finally took off. He also disclosed that he turned down four or five other offers to sign with SRC for only $12,000 because he felt like Rifkind truly believed in him.