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And Finally Artist News
Akon wants to be Kanye’s Vice President in 2024
By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 20 November 2019
We’re barely into the campaign for the US 2020 presidential election (ohgodohgodohgod) and already things are heating up for 2024. Mainly due to Kanye West’s decision not to run in 2020, as he had originally said he would back in 2015.
Seemingly this is because he doesn’t want to run against his great mate Donald Trump, who is standing for a second and final term. But even without Trump in his way should he choose to compete in the 2024 race, Akon reckons West would still need help in any bid to become America’s Commander In Chief. And he knows who should provide it.
Cornered by a TMZ reporter outside an LA restaurant, Akon was challenged over comments he had made on US daytime TV show ‘The Real’ about his own plans to run for political office in 2024. Specifically, the musician was asked why he’d said that West is “crazy” and “possibly unfit” to run for President.
“No, I said he wasn’t crazy”, countered Akon. “I didn’t say he was possibly unfit either. I said whether or not he’s unfit is a different conversation. I think he’s fine, but the world may think different”.
Akon is correct. He did not say West was “crazy” or “unfit”. In fact, what he said on ‘The Real’ was: “Kanye is not crazy, he’s just been awakened from a spiritual state. I just feel like he’s awake now. Now, he’s the most amazing marketer in the world. He understands his audience, but he’s definitely not crazy, he knows what he’s doing”.
“My thing is”, Akon added, “if he does run [for President], it’s great for the culture. Now, if you think he’s not fit, that’s another thing, that’s why you got me as another choice”.
That there sounds very much like Mr Akon is planning to run for the US’s top job himself, pitting himself against West in 2024. What a battle that would be! But, sadly, it’s not one you’re going to see. Akon sees himself as more of a Kanye ally than a rival.
“I didn’t [say I’d run against him]”, insisted Akon in the newer interview. “Anything could happen. To me it’s not a competition, it’s a matter of what God wills it to be. But I think the combination [of the two musicians together in political office] could be something. You just never know, you have to wait until that time comes and see”.
But, he confirmed: “I would [run as West’s Vice President]. One thousand percent”.
This doesn’t overcome the fact that the two men’s politics are somewhat at odds – particularly when it comes to West’s support of Donald Trump. This shouldn’t be an issue though, reckons Akon. In fact, it could be a benefit.
He went on: “Me, I’m nowhere near aligned with Trump. I think if it came to it and we went head-to-head, that would be a small conversation in a back room. ‘Look, you hold this position, I hold this position, and that’s what makes us strong, the fact that we both disagree’. So, working together, we can now fulfil the overall play of what the American people are looking for. And I think would be a great combo”.
I’m not sure Akon has really understood the two-party political system, but collaborative politics probably is better than adversarial, so maybe he’s onto something. Still, this is all something of a turnaround. Last year, Akon said that he would attempt to stand against Trump in 2020, and that he would accept no less than to be in the running for President.
Back then he was hoping that Mark Zuckerberg would be his Vice President – although perhaps seeing Zuckerberg’s recent performance in Congress put him off that idea.
