Lock Up or Release, the Remix?

6.8.20

Akon, Tekashi 6ix9ine

Back in middle school, Akon had to be one of my favorite artists. ‘Locked Up’ I think was the first song I ever heard by Akon. From this, to ‘Ghetto,’ ‘Bananza,’ ‘Shake That’ and so many more, I’d say I looked to Akon as one of the greatest - before he got into all kinds of trouble with females. I saw him live in concert twice as birthday presents. I bought the physicals to all his CDs. Now, he is giving one of my favorite songs, to one of my least favorite rappers.

I get that industry money does not last. Likely, Akon is looking to get in his bag and realizes that with all eyes on Tekashi 6ix9ine, love him or hate him, he is going to get steams. But does he know what he is doing right now? Does Akon’s resume give him a free ride? Or is he now labeled as a clown, as 6ix9ine is?

Over the weekend, 6ix9ine posted a video of him, singing over the ‘Locked Up’ beat, with Akon right by his side, cheering him on. Snitching aside, it was cool seeing Akon in this element. He was wearing a tracksuit and matching baseball cap, looking like a whole dad. Playing the part, it was like an old industry head, shedding knowledge to the youth. It just hurts to see that out of everyone doing their thing right now, one of the greats is going to the worst.

Tory Lanez is upset about this, and I wonder how he is really doing emotionally, right now. After hearing the news about 6ix9ine getting the ‘Locked Up’ sample, Tory Lanez shared a tweet, addressing the situation, enraged that he did not receive the sample to this track. To make matters worse for Tory, prior to 6ix9ine’s release from prison, he held the record for the most viewers on Instagram Live at one time. He had two million viewers tuned into Quarantine Radio at once, only to be beaten by 6ix9ine the weekend he was released from prison, holding three million live viewers. This record has actually been broken once again over the past few weeks, but poor Tory. He got stepped over twice in a row, by a rat with rainbow hair.

Simply listening to the sample, it sounds like 6ix9ine is taking a break from his aggressive screaming and blurting out nonsense on a track. He appears to be singing, and speaking on the serious realities his life has been the past year and a half. It is interesting, but do people even want this from 6ix9ine? In my opinion, I think the OGs are mad at Akon and not going to listen. Then, I think the young kids who still ride for this man are going to hate that it is not the typical, ignorant Tekashi. I also am not sure they’ll appreciate this sample, for what it is.

Overall, I am quite surprised Akon is teaming up with 6ix9ine. However, he was always questionable after the first two albums.