Akon has officially joined the billion-views club once again, as his 2008 hit Right Now (Na Na Na) surpasses one billion views on YouTube. This marks the fourth time the R&B star has reached this milestone, following Lonely (2004), Smack That (2006) featuring Eminem, and Play Hard (2011), his collaboration with David Guetta and Ne-Yo.
Another Billion-View Hit on the Horizon
Right Now (Na Na Na) was part of Akon’s third studio album, Freedom, released in 2008. Meanwhile, his 2007 single Don’t Matter is also gaining traction, currently sitting at over 700 million views, making it a strong candidate to become his next song to hit the billion mark.
Classic Hits Continue to Break Records
In recent years, several iconic songs have also crossed the billion-view threshold on YouTube. These include Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Still D.R.E. by Dr. Dre, Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, and Bodak Yellow by Cardi B.
King Krule’s Unexpected Akon Tribute
Interestingly, at last year’s G festival, King Krule performed a brief cover of Don’t Matter, surprising fans with his choice. This wasn’t his first public connection to Akon—back in 2018, while intoxicated, King Krule (real name Archie Marshall) jokingly claimed in an interview that Akon had written the theme song for Sonic the Hedgehog.
Akon on the Emotional Impact of His Music
In a 2023 interview with NME, Akon revealed that Lonely is the song that still brings him to tears.
“I was incredibly lonely when I wrote it—true story,” he shared. “At the time, the only person who supported me was no longer there because of my own mistakes and decisions. But for me, writing a song like this is a form of therapy. As soon as I write it, I feel so much better. And it feels even better when I see other people relate to it.”
He also reflected on another track from Freedom, titled Freedom, explaining how it holds deep personal significance.
“It reminds me of both my home in the USA and my home in Africa. When I wrote that song, it was very much about my personal story, but from the perspective of my mother and father,” he told NME.
"It’s about their journey and how they came to the United States seeking freedom. When we got here, I faced a lot of difficulties trying to adapt—both as a teenager and because of culture shock. When I finally felt comfortable in the USA, I realized the injustices and disadvantages that minorities experience here. So, I always fought for that freedom, and that’s still the feeling that this song gives me."
