Hip-hop/R&B star Akon has once again found himself at the center of a controversy after the artist was caught on tape hurling a concertgoer from the stage during a show in upstate New York over the weekend.
While Akon was performing at KFEST in Fishkill, New York on Sunday, someone in the crowd apparently threw an object at the stage in the direction of the singer. Akon instructed the crowd to point out the individual and ordered security to bring the audience member on stage.
As security ushered the teen to the stage, Akon took of his jewelry and his shirt and when the concertgoer, later identified as a 15-year-old male, was brought to the stage, Akon picked up, hoisted him over his shoulders and hurled the teen back into the crowd.
As he was waiting, Akon tells the teen “You made a big mistake today.”
Video of the incident was posted onYouTube.
A rep for Akon released the following statement to Access Hollywood:
“Given the information that we have reviewed to date, it does not appear to us that Akon was involved in any criminal conduct whatsoever.We are prepared to fully cooperate with any law enforcement agency that may be investigating this incident. We are confident that after a thorough investigation it will be apparent that no criminal prosecution of Akon is warranted.”
Local police have reportedly been looking for the concertgoer since Monday, to see if he wanted to pursue criminal charges against Akon, whose latest album has sold more than a million records and who is currently on tour opening for Gwen Stefani.
Access Hollywood contacted the Fishkill Police Department and a spokesperson said they had “identified the individual” involved.
The spokesperson declined to give any further information.
According to a report in the Poughkeepsie Journal, the teen’s mother contacted police and gave them her son’s name after the incident. As of now, no charges have been filed, according to the report.
Akon, whose album “Konvicted” has sold more than 1 million copies, recently made headlines after a video posted online showed the singer simulating a graphic sex scene with a 14-year-old girl during a concert in Trinidad. As a result, Verizon withdrew its sponsorship of the tour.
Following the incident, Akon said he didn’t realize the girl was underage and the club wasn’t supposed to admit anyone under 18.
Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.