Akon Backstage: 9 Kids, 50 Adopted, and Why "Wife ≠ Girlfriend"

Summary

Podcast Summary: BILFPOD with Akon

Episode: Akon Backstage: 9 Kids, 50 Adopted, and Why "Wife ≠ Girlfriend"
Host: Mara Dorne
Date: July 30, 2026

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Overview

This episode of BILFPOD features a vibrant and candid backstage conversation between host Mara Dorne and global music icon Akon. Broadcasting live from Tampa, Mara dives into Akon’s whirlwind tour life, fatherhood (including his nine biological children and 50 adopted children), and his upcoming projects—both musical and on television. The highlight of the discussion is Akon’s soon-to-launch reality series, "How to Be a Wife and Not a Girlfriend," prompting lively reflections on the dynamic between relationships and modern expectations. Akon’s infectious positivity, humility, and humor are evident throughout this engaging episode.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Life on Tour: Then vs. Now

• Tour Vibes & Audience Diversity
  • Akon reflects on how touring now feels similar, but more comfortable, thanks to experience. The audience now spans three generations: "You got the daughter, the mom, and the grandma. Like, they all come out and it's the best." (03:48)
  • The demographics of his crowd: "It's a well-versed audience. Yeah, very, very versed... it's United Nations out there." (04:04-04:12)
• Notable Shows
  • Standout cities include Raleigh ("Raleigh was crazy." 05:42) and a wild Atlanta show: "Atlanta was so crazy. It was a thunderstorm. It still was jam packed... people were like two inches of flood. And it didn't even stop the show." (05:54-06:18)
• Touring with Ne-Yo
  • Akon describes touring with Ne-Yo as smooth and joyful: "No problems, no issues, no E. It’s like, 'Yo, what you need? What you got?'... nothing but love." (04:46-04:57)

Family, Kids, and Legacy

• Akon on Being a Father
  • Akon shares, almost in passing, the scale of his family: "Yeah, I got nine all together. Seven boys." (00:00, 06:46)
  • Regarding his adopted children: "My adoptations are 50. I adopted 50 kids... they're in Africa." (00:03, 06:49)
• Involving Family in Tour Life
  • Some of his own kids join him on the road; others are pursuing their own paths (e.g., "My two daughters are not here because one is at an acapella academy... my other daughter’s getting ready for college." 06:32-06:44)
  • On children’s pride and individuality: "They love it. They loving it, man... They think they better." (07:29-07:34)
  • On his eldest daughter heading to college: "It's new. It's a little scary though... She's going to Alabama." (07:55-08:02)
  • Approach to parenting independence: "Once you go outside the premises, it's real life." (08:37)

Touring Routine and Mindset

• Tour Schedule
  • "So far we've done 35 cities... pretty much one every day, and then in between... one every other day, depending on the distance." (08:47-09:04)
• Keeping the Peace
  • Akon finds touring peaceful: "No one can get a hold of you because you're always on the bus." (09:07)
  • Rituals before going on stage: "On this one... mainly World Cup season, so I've been watching all the games... that's been my ritual." (09:29-09:37)
• Fitness
  • "The stage now becomes the workout every day. I'm... hitting that cardio." (09:14, 09:22)

Creativity and Future Plans

• Performing Old & New
  • "I'm doing all the hits... we prioritize the hits, 'cause that's what they out here [for]." (04:18-04:20)
  • On favorite song to perform: "I mean, I like all of them. You're gonna see tonight—top to bottom—it's gonna be nonstop." (11:05)
• New Album and Beyond
  • On upcoming projects: "New album... I'm already working on the new album... we're already working on Iconic." (10:08-10:23)
  • Tours will continue: "This is just gonna be the beginning of more tours." (10:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Identity & Public Perception
  • "Everyone thinks I'm short until they meet me and be like, 'I didn’t know you were so tall.'" (12:11)
  • Mara: "And you're amazing and super sweet and humble." (12:25)
  • Akon: "I appreciate it." (12:27)
• On Longevity in Music
  • Akon: "It's literally like I just dropped again for the first time, like as a brand new artist... it don’t even feel like I’m seasoned. It feels like this is my first ever opportunity again." (11:50, 12:04)
• On Going to Disney World
  • Akon: "Nah, we ain't got time." (10:31)
  • Mara: "Did you want to go there?"
  • Akon: "No. I know my earlier life there... I loved it." (10:32-10:41)
  • Mara: "I hate Disney... it's hot and there’s lots of kids screaming everywhere." (10:41)

Upcoming Reality TV: "How to Be a Wife and Not a Girlfriend"

• Akon is producing a show on modern relationships: "It's called how to be a Wife and not a Girlfriend... Women want to be wives, but they don't know quite how to be one. And they think being a good girlfriend is being alike. It's two different possibilities." (12:49-12:59)
• He elaborates: "They treat the girlfriend aspect as if they're already married... you have all these marriage rules in a regular relationship... it just doesn’t work." (13:08)
• Mara sums up: "You're gonna educate." (13:08)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Akon on his 9 biological children and 50 children he’s adopted
• 03:48 – On multigenerational fans and the diversity of the audience
• 05:54 – Atlanta show chaos and commitment to the fans, rain or shine
• 06:29 – Touring with his family, individual paths of his kids
• 07:55 – Reflections on his eldest daughter going to college
• 09:07 – Life on tour and finding peace, decompressing post-show
• 10:08 – Work on new music and upcoming albums
• 12:11 – The misconception that Akon is short
• 12:49 – Details about "How to Be a Wife and Not a Girlfriend"

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Tone and Final Impressions

The tone is fun, raw, supportive, and full of humor. Mara and Akon share an authentic rapport, with Akon balancing his legendary status and relatable stories about parenting, performance, and perception. The episode offers practical, inspiring insights for dreamers, creators, parents, and fans.

Memorable Sign-off
Mara: "I came out because I said I would. I’m a woman of my word." (13:25)
Akon: "I appreciate that... you can document it." (13:29-13:31)

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For Listeners

Whether you’re tuning in for Akon’s music, his views on modern relationships, or just an off-the-cuff look into the real life of a superstar, this episode will leave you grinning, nodding, and maybe rethinking your own definitions of success, family, and fun.

Transcript

[A]

Yeah, I got nine all together. Seven boys.

[B]

Nine. But then you have all the kids that you didn't.

[A]

Oh, yeah, my adoptations are 50. I adopted 50 kids. No, no, they're. They're in Africa. Atlanta was. Was nuts. It was a thunderstorm. It still was jam packed. Mind your amphitheater's indoor and outdoor. Outdoor was raining cats and dogs. And then inside, where the seats were, it was flooded. So people were like two inches of flood. And it didn't even stop the show.

[B]

Nothing. It was just.

[A]

It didn't stop the show. Everyone thinks I'm short until they meet me. Like, I didn't know you were so tall.

[B]

Yeah, you're very tall.

[A]

That.

[B]

That is so crazy. I don't know.

[A]

This is probably going to be the biggest thing. It's called how to be a Wife and not a Girlfriend.

[B]

How to be a wife and not a Girlfriend.

[A]

That's the thing right now. Women want. They all want to be wise, but they don't know quite how to be wise. How's it going? Hey, how's it going? Good. Set? Yeah. Good to meet you. Set. Hey, how's it going?

[B]

Hi.

[A]

Hey, what's up?

[B]

Hey.

[A]

Nice. All right.

[B]

Why? She got a better greeting than I got.

[A]

I wasn't expecting her.

[B]

What was.

[A]

I wasn't expecting her. No.

[B]

Hi, baby. How are you? Oh, my God. Yes. How are you?

[A]

Unbelievable.

[B]

You look really good. You've been working out on this too? You've been working out big time, huh? Here, swap with me. Swap? This is a bodyguard. He's the godfather.

[A]

Look at him right now.

[B]

Straight from Israel, right here. He loves Israel. Adam loves Israel.

[A]

Detect you on the throw over there, huh? Yeah, we trying to put it together now. We actually had one set up before the conference started.

[B]

Are you excited for tonight?

[A]

Well, you know, to me it's just another day in office.

[B]

I know.

[A]

It's like asking you, are you excited for the interviews? So you made it out? Let me find out.

[B]

She's going to school next month.

[A]

Oh, really?

[B]

Yeah. In New York.

[A]

Sheesh.

[B]

Can you believe it?

[A]

That's crazy.

[B]

I was just there last week. Are you ready to do this?

[A]

Yeah, let's go.

[B]

But you already got this. Cuz we. We've done this before.

[A]

Yeah, this is easy.

[B]

I know. I already know what I can ask. All right. I got this. All right. Welcome back to the bill pod, where authenticity trumps authority. I am here on location like promised. I told you I was. I tell you I was showing up.

[A]

You sure did.

[B]

I.

[A]

And you showed up, though.

[B]

It's so hot here in Tampa.

[A]

Super hot.

[B]

So I'm dying right now. But I am here with the one, the only, the iconic Akon.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

I'm just excited to see you. I can mess. We could just do a whole podcast on how excited we are right now.

[A]

100%.

[B]

All right, so I got to ask follow up questions. So when I saw you, your album hadn't released yet, right? Album released. How'd you feel about that?

[A]

No, I feel good about it. I feel really, really good about this release. It's going really well.

[B]

Don't forget the credit for the next of the rebirth. That's my shit.

[A]

Yeah, it feels amazing.

[B]

So you're on tour right now. You're in your. Your seasoned.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

A lot different than where you were at many years ago. How does it feel being on tour season versus last time?

[A]

It actually, it feels the same, to be honest. You know, last time, obviously I did more touring internationally than I did here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But for the most part, man, it's been unbelievable.

[B]

That's because you look the same.

[A]

It's been.

[B]

You have an age. That's the pro. That's what it is. You have an age. So feel if we look the same, it feels like we just, you know, it's nostalgic for you.

[A]

No, it's been amazing.

[B]

So what was like the biggest thing that surprised you doing this?

[A]

Nothing surprises me on the road.

[B]

What about the love from the fans? Still big.

[A]

That. I mean, I kind of expect that maybe I'm just being naive or entitled to love for my fans. Right. But I love them and I hope they still love me. Right. So I don't think that they will come out and spend money to see me if they did love me. Right. So. But I think the one thing that I can say that, that actually made me feel so good and changed the perspective is the generations that come out. This is like three generations. Right.

[B]

I got. I got. No, she was every single one of you.

[A]

It's so crazy. So you got the. The daughter, the mom and the grandma. Like they all come out and it's the best.

[B]

What is like the. The mix of the crowd? Is it like. Is it predominantly white people, black people? All kinds of people? What is it?

[A]

Yeah, it's mainly a. It's a well versed audience.

[B]

I can imagine.

[A]

Yeah, very, very versed.

[B]

Everybody knows your song.

[A]

It's. Yeah, it's United nations out there.

[B]

What are you doing right now as far as your. Your repertoire? Are you doing a little bit from the old school, a little bit of new school.

[A]

I'm just. I'm doing all the hits.

[B]

I love that.

[A]

Like we, we prioritize the hits, cuz that's what they out here. I'm staying watching. No, you. Yo, listen, I'm saying to watch. You're going to have an amazing time.

[B]

I'm so excited.

[A]

Yeah, you're going to have.

[B]

I came here to watch. I told you I was coming. I'm coming. I'm so. Don't.

[A]

I'mma make it well worth your trip.

[B]

Don't be disappointing me today.

[A]

I'm going make it well worth your trip.

[B]

How does it feel being on tour with Neo? Did you know him?

[A]

Yeah, me and NEO go back 20 years.

[B]

Oh, so you know.

[A]

Yeah, that's. That's my dog, man. I love that, man.

[B]

So it's like on tour with your homie.

[A]

Yeah. Seriously, no problems, no issues, no E. It's like, yo, what you need? What you got? You got it. You good? It's been just nothing but love the whole time and back and forth. Vice versa as well.

[B]

What do you think is the biggest difference between now and then?

[A]

The biggest difference? Probably just our age. That's it.

[B]

Does that make you less able? Like, do you feel like you can't do something like you.

[A]

No, it makes me more experienced. I mean, I feel more comfortable. I've been there, done that. Just ain't the first rodeo, so. And then it gives me a better perspective of how the younger generation is grabbing, gravitating. So it seems like it's brand new for me because even the audience feels brand new because it's like their first experience seeing it. You know what I mean?

[B]

I could definitely.

[A]

Yeah. So yeah, it's almost like a rebirth. Like as if I just dropped my record for the first time.

[B]

Rebirth. There we go with the rebirth. But you know, it's because I'm telling you, look so young. That's why nothing's changed for you. So what was your favorite city so far?

[A]

So far I would probably say when we just started in the U.S. but man, Raleigh was crazy.

[B]

Raleigh.

[A]

That was the first night.

[B]

Raleigh.

[A]

Raleigh was. Did Atlanta. Atlanta was. Atlanta was nuts. And it was. Listen, Atlanta was so crazy. It was a thunderstorm. It still was jam packed. Mind your amphitheater's indoor and outdoor. Outdoor was raining cats and dogs. And then inside where the seats were, it was flooded because the rain was coming downhill. So people were like two inches of flood. And it didn't even stop the show.

[B]

Nothing. They were just sitting.

[A]

It didn't stop the show.

[B]

And you didn't stop either, I'm sure.

[A]

Absolutely not.

[B]

No, you didn't.

[A]

Because Atlanta was a zoo.

[B]

That is so crazy. Did you bring the kids? Because last time when I saw you in la, you had all the kids coming.

[A]

Yeah, they're out here. They don't hear stop.

[B]

You brought all of them?

[A]

All of mixed up. Well, the two. My two daughters are not here because one is at a acapella academy in la, so she's going to make the west coast run. And my other daughter's getting ready for college, so she went to Alabama to go visit her dorms and all that stuff. But she's going to meet me in New York, though.

[B]

That is. How many kids?

[A]

Yeah, I got nine all together, seven boys.

[B]

But then you have all the kids that you didn't.

[A]

Oh, yeah. My adoptations are 50. I got adopted 50 kids and not know they're.

[B]

They're in Africa because that was incredible too.

[A]

But they came out to the European shows, though.

[B]

Amazing. Did you. So now being on tour, what would you say is like something new that you brought in this time that you probably weren't doing before, but maybe something new to change it up a little bit.

[A]

I got my twins. Less twins.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So they out here with me. They kept choreographed everything that you saw. And they gave me a few dance steps too, so you'll see me, right?

[B]

And then you get this. This is like when I bring Lily around, it's I around and then she's teaching me stuff. I'm like, wait, hold up.

[A]

Let's. Twins got me dancing on stage for the first time.

[B]

Are the kids so proud of you?

[A]

No, they love it. They loving it, man.

[B]

Are they like, dad, you're like, this is. Dad, you're amazing.

[A]

Well, they're old enough now. They don't. They keep their own ego. They think. They think they. Yeah, they think they. They better.

[B]

They're trying to get their own class.

[A]

They should.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, to feel that they better.

[B]

No, I don't want. I don't want the lady to feel herself. No. Know where. Where she came from. She need to know where she.

[A]

I think she. I think she knows. She just want to let you know that.

[B]

Yeah, she did. Now you have a daughter going to college. What does that feel like?

[A]

A. It's new. It's a little scary, though. It's a little scary. Yes. You're my oldest. Yeah.

[B]

Where's she going?

[A]

She's going to Alabama.

[B]

Alabama?

[A]

Yeah. So, I mean, we'll see. You know how it is. You give and she's out there. Dorman, first time own spot, you know, you know how that gets.

[B]

Oh, I know. I know.

[A]

I'm going through it everything.

[B]

I know. I am a little nervous. I don't love the idea.

[A]

I got spies out there, so they gonna do me. She don't like.

[B]

I think Lily's going to New York.

[A]

Yeah, the first year and a half, two years. Gotta have a spies out.

[B]

What do you mean? Yes, she can't come home. Are you letting your daughter.

[A]

If she does, she's living.

[B]

If she doesn't like it, are you gonna let her come back?

[A]

No, no, she can. I mean, it's up. But she. She has no choice. She chose to go out there, so she got to stay out there.

[B]

Lily, you heard that. Just so you heard it.

[A]

I mean, you can. You can stay home in Atlanta, then you come home every day, every weekend. But yeah, when you. Once you go outside the premises, it's real life.

[B]

How. How many cities have you done so far?

[A]

So far we've done 35 cities.

[B]

35 cities, but what does that look like day to day? Are you doing like one every other day? Are you doing five?

[A]

Yes, it's pretty much one every day, and then in between those, one every day is one every other day, depending on the distance of how far we got to travel on the bus.

[B]

So real question. How are you keeping your peace? That's a lot.

[A]

Oh, no, this is. This is the most peaceful thing ever. No one can get a hold of you because you're always on the bus stop.

[B]

So. But what do you do to decompress after you're done?

[A]

Oh, the performance and then the. The tour bus. Well, the stage now becomes the workout every day. I'm. Yeah. Hitting that cardio.

[B]

That is.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

So what are. Tell me some rituals you do before you get on stage. Anything. Do you.

[A]

Well, this. This. On this one. It was mainly World cup season, so I've been watching all the games, keeping track of all of that. That's been my ritual, just watching the games before I go on stage.

[B]

Who are you rooting for today?

[A]

I'm rooting for France.

[B]

France?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Have you been to any of the world cups?

[A]

I've been four of them so far. I went to both Senegalese games, and then I went to the last France. And who's that they beat? Well, whoever that was.

[B]

Do you. I know you want to go watch the game, so I'm gonna wrap it up.

[A]

Oh, no, you're good.

[B]

Do you foresee yourself going on another tour after this?

[A]

Yeah. This is just gonna be the beginning of more tours.

[B]

Started again.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. It's like. It's like I just dropped a new record charge for you. 100.

[B]

So what are you doing? What are you working on right now?

[A]

New album.

[B]

A new album? Yeah. You have the new album. Then you're gonna do one right after.

[A]

No, I'm already working on the new album.

[B]

You're always ahead of you.

[A]

I'm already working on the new hour.

[B]

Because you're an overachiever.

[A]

We're already working on iconic.

[B]

You are a. Of course. We already know. We already know who you are. I can't. I cannot wait. Are you going to Disney World? Hell no. I hate.

[A]

Nah, we ain't got time.

[B]

Did you want to go there?

[A]

No. No. You know, I was raised. I know my earlier life there. So it's like.

[B]

Remember I told you I hate Disney?

[A]

I know. And I loved it.

[B]

I know. I hate it.

[A]

But it was your experience.

[B]

No, I just don't like it. It's so hot and there's lots of kids screaming everywhere. No, I don't.

[A]

Exactly your experience.

[B]

Yeah, I guess you're right. And I live right over there. That name. I'm not. Definitely not. Akon, you are for real legendary. But what is when you're on stage, what is like your favorite, favorite song to do when you're up there?

[A]

Favorite song to do?

[B]

You can do it from the new album and the old album.

[A]

I mean. Nah, but I like all of them. I mean like literally every song. I mean, you're gonna see tonight from top to bottom. It's gonna be non stop.

[B]

Who goes on? Do you on first or Neil goes on first?

[A]

I kno. Goes on first. And then I come on right behind him.

[B]

Awesome.

[A]

And then we go back and forth.

[B]

Of course. And then of course you steal the show. Of course.

[A]

I wouldn't say that. Neil got an amazing show.

[B]

Yeah. I've never seen him just.

[A]

He has an amazing show.

[B]

I'm excited for tonight. If there's one thing you want to let the audience know about you and what you're doing and the way that you feel, give them something.

[A]

You gotta. I can't. It's hard to explain. Like, you gotta come out. There's no other way.

[B]

Like, are you just like when you go out there, are you just in awe sometimes? Like, holy. Like, this is. I'm doing this. But the funniest thing is, like, you're doing this 20 years later.

[A]

Right? That's. What's the.

[B]

That's insane.

[A]

That's the all. Because it's literally like as if. It's literally like I just dropped again for the first time, like as a brand new artist. And that says so it don't even feel like I'm seasoned. It feels like this is my first ever opportunity again.

[B]

Amazing.

[A]

You know, which is dope. I love that.

[B]

What's the biggest misconception people think about you right now? That I'm sure that you're short.

[A]

Yeah, I get that every. I get that everywhere I go that you're short. Yes. Everyone thinks I'm short until they meet me and be like, I didn't know you were so tall.

[B]

Yeah, you're very soft. That is so crazy. I don't know.

[A]

Like, every fan from the moment, they'd be like, I thought you were short.

[B]

And you're amazing and super sweet and humble.

[A]

I appreciate it.

[B]

So crazy.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

What are you about to do right now?

[A]

I'm about to go. I got some couple phoners to knock out. Then I got the meet and greet and then we get ready for the show.

[B]

All right, well, we'll do your thing.

[A]

You got it.

[B]

Bother you? I appreciate you.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Are you doing any more reality tv? Are you gonna do any reality TV or No, I don't think I'm gonna

[A]

do any reality TVs, but personally. But I'm. I'm most producing a few.

[B]

You are?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What are you doing?

[A]

I got one that's. That's about company, about the lunch. So you think it's probably gonna be the biggest thing. It's called how to be a wife and not a girlfriend. Sorry.

[B]

How to be a wife and not a girlfriend. Okay, Tell me.

[A]

That's the thing right now. Women want. They all want to be wise, but they don't know quite how to be one. And they think being a good girlfriend is being alike. It's two different possibilities.

[B]

Oh, okay. So you're gonna educate.

[A]

They treat the girlfriend aspect as if they're already married. So you have all these marriage rules in a regular relationship and expecting to be. Yeah, it just doesn't work.

[B]

I think it's this generation marriage using

[A]

the same rules in your marriage. And then you're like, listen, I'm not

[B]

going to keep you anymore. I just want to say thank you. I came out because I said I would. I'm a woman of my work.

[A]

I appreciate that.

[B]

I love seeing you.

[A]

Your body, you can document it.

[B]

That was amazing. Yeah, I appreciate you.

[A]

No, thank you.