Verizon Drops Akon
Fox News breaks the News
Just when you thought this Danah Alleyne thing was about to disappear here comes this breaking news that came over the TV on the Fox News Channel no less. Apparently sponsor Verizon has ended its partnership with Akon over the simulated sex scene on stage at the Concert in Zen last month. They have even backed out of sponsorship for his and Gwen Stefani’s Sweet Escape Tour.
In a statement issued to the Fox News Channel, Verizon announced “This week the partnership ended. We have music services on our cellphone service and we were promoting him as one of the artists. The other part of the sponsorship was the Gwen Stefani tour, of which he was an opening act. We are no longer sponsoring the tour.”
Fox News shows stills, but not video of the act.Well this is huge news and it’s no wonder now that Universal Music was so busy sending YouTube Cease & Desist e-mails. I think Fox News referring to it as a simulated rape may be a stretch, but it’s Fox News so keep that in mind.
Whatever it is, it’s probably not the last we’re going to hear about this.
P.S. – I feel it’s important for me to say here that I never watch Fox News Channel. The guys on Power 102FM broke the news here.
12 Responses to “Verizon Drops Akon”
By IZATRINI.com on May 4, 2007 | Reply
Mani, glad to know you don’t watch Fox News
Good to hear also that Akon is facing the consequences of his actions in Trini and feeling it in his pocket, if even a small pinch.
By D Trini in Me on May 5, 2007 | Reply
GOOD!
By Crankyputz on May 5, 2007 | Reply
How can they say it was simulating rape, when missy was smiling from ear to ear? That’s just going over board….
By Anonymous on May 6, 2007 | Reply
verzion wireless was wrong. this was a 18 and over club so how would he know she was under 18. this is how grown women like it. if your a women 18 and over you know this. call verizon and tell them. 1-800-922-0204
By The TriniGourmet on May 6, 2007 | Reply
i ain’t calling verizon and telling them jack. speak for yourself. as a woman WAY over 18 i think it was despicable conduct on akon’s part, regardless of the age of the participant. hopefully this will be part of the discourse on how willing women are to degrade themselves and support their own degradation to fill the pockets of so-called entertainers. Good on verizon.
By Silk Cotton Jumbie on May 6, 2007 | Reply
This is a real callaloo mess. First Danah slip when she sneak out to go clubbing, then she slide downhill after.
I don’t see how Akon can be blamed for what he did to Danah specifically, as he’d have no idea she was a minor. He can argue that the club was responsible to screen the entrants.
On the other hand, what he did was appalling, even to treat ANY woman in this manner.
But it is a subculture that seems to be growing, and we accept it as a whole so any blame should be apportioned to each of us.
I recall a few years ago, before I stopped looking at television, there was a wrestler on WWE called the Godfather or Pimp or something, who brought women onstage and called them hos etc, and paid pitifully small sums of money to female audience members to degrade them. No difference back then to now if you ask me.
Much as I respect the female contributors to this and other blogs, I realise you are judging according to your own standards of morality. Not everyone is adherent to such. So maybe Danahs and Tara Reids will always accept that treatment, and go back for more, just because the perpetrator is ‘famous’.
Verizon is protecting a company image, nothing more.
By YouKnowMe on May 7, 2007 | Reply
I must say that I DO watch Fox News, and I find the popular “disdain” for Fox to be overbearing (to restrain myself).
That said, this comes as no surprise to anyone who knows anything about how the US seems to work (along these lines)these days.
I still have yet to see the video–although not for lack of trying.
By YouKnowMe on May 7, 2007 | Reply
P.S. Is Akon a “rapper” now?
By boysieringo on May 7, 2007 | Reply
A much needed disclaimer Mani because foxnews is neo-con-nazi at best. Try reading newshounds instead. Happy to see Verizon jump ship but anxious to see who they latch onto next.
By Jamila on May 8, 2007 | Reply
Mani and have you heard her brother, he is such a dissapoiting older sibling to have. Is it me or is he living in a bubble
By Youknowme on May 11, 2007 | Reply
See what I mean?
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boysieringo said…
A much needed disclaimer Mani because foxnews is neo-con-nazi at best. Try reading newshounds instead. Happy to see Verizon jump ship but anxious to see who they latch onto next.
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Wow…
Ok. No fighting.
By Vami on May 28, 2007 | Reply
Fox news airs Papa Bear. enough said…
can you guess now why I heard the news on the radio????