Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Senegalese-American artist extraordinaire Akon has two decades under his belt as a global tastemaker in styles as widespread as R&B, hip-hop, EDM, dance and pop, selling over 35 million albums, amassing 45 Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers and logging an astounding 300 guest appearances alongside Michael Jackson, Eminem, Gwen Stefani, Lil’ Wayne and David Guetta, to name a handful.

He’s also a producer, entrepreneur, actor and humanitarian whose tremendous impact on all facets of culture cannot be overstated, and when it came to “The Superfan” Tour populating the relatively new multipurpose club Radius, neither could a magnetic ability to entertain a diverse audience, who basically sang in unison the entire duration.

In fact, from the moment the multiple Grammy nominee entered the double level stage, backed by a bassist, drummer, diamond-masked DJ and video wall, it was a constantly-building party that never let up until the very last second.

Fans’ voracious reaction may have had a bit to do with a lengthy local absence since the B96 Pepsi Summer Bash in 2007, but then again, Akon is a “Soul Survivor” with a stacked songbook always in frequent circulation.

He nonetheless made up for lost time and then some, not only dropping two post-hiatus projects in 2019, “El Negreeto” and “Akonda,” but opening up the floodgates for a series of single and EP releases, which coupled with all the previous radio regulars, made for quite a detailed overview.

“Bartender” and “Hypnotized” were particularly lit in the front half as the headliner worked the mic, plus he got behind the bongos on a few percussive occasions to fuel more international flavors.

Ballads such as “I Tried,” “Sorry, Blame It On Me” and “Lonely” presented Akon’s sensitive side, prior to building the pace back up towards “Smack That” and “Enjoy That” as he playfully waved a white flag and advanced the celebratory tone.

The headliner even surprised everyone by introducing his latest protege, Amirror, for their sizzling collaboration “Far Away,” while “The Sweet Escape,” “Right Now (Na Na Na)” and “Play Hard” furthered the communal feeling in the consistently positive and euphoric evening.

For additional information on Akon, visit Akon.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Radius include Kaskade (Nov. 17); Sara Landry (Nov. 18); Afrojack (Nov. 18); Konstantinos Argiros (Nov. 22); Troyboy (Dec. 1); August Burns Red (Dec. 5); LSDREAM (Dec. 8); Honey Dijon (Dec. 9); Elrow (Dec. 16); Tchami x Malaa (Dec. 27); Purple Disco Machine (Dec. 28); Fisher (Dec. 29); James Hype x Meduza (Dec. 30); Hot Since 82 (Dec. 31) and Gorgon City (Dec. 31). For additional details, visit Radius-Chicago.com.

Related Articles

In Super Bowl-sized streak, Mary J. Blige sells out United Center, says “Good Morning Gorgeous” From “Call Me Maybe” to “The Loneliest Time,” Carly Rae Jepsen “So Nice” to sold out Aragon 50 Cent revisits “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” for “The Final Lap” around United Center with Busta, Jeremih Carly Rae Jepsen: “So Nice” Tour at Aragon Ballroom Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, De La Soul, guests get United Center into “N.Y. State Of Mind” as hip-hop turns 50 Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa host Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre’s hip-hop “High School Reunion” Allstate Arena bounces to the Jingle Ball beats of Pitbull, Khalid, Jack Harlow, Macklemore Back to Chicago Theatre, Dave Koz and company host a collaborative, jazzy silver anniversary