Nigeria, July 16 -- Senegalese-American singer, songwriter and music executive Akon has credited Nigerian singer and entrepreneur Banky W with discovering Wizkid and playing a pivotal role in launching the Grammy-winning artist's career.

Speaking in a recent interview with The Shade Room, the Konvict Muzik founder recounted how his partnership with Banky W and Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) led to Wizkid's emergence on the international music scene.

Akon revealed that Banky W introduced the then-unknown singer to him during a visit to Nigeria in 2008, a meeting that eventually culminated in Wizkid signing with Konvict Muzik through a partnership with EME.

"Banky W discovered Wizkid. That's how that collaboration went. I went to Niger...