Sharik's Adventures: Akon undressed and doused people with water at a concert in Moscow

American hip-hop artist Akon gave two concerts in Russia at once. On August 8, the 52-year—old rapper performed in Sochi, and the next day he rocked the capital's audience by singing nostalgic hits from the noughties Lonely, Smack That and Belly Dancer (Banaza), dancing bare-chested, riding over fans' heads in a transparent balloon and generously doused the crowd with water. About how it was — in the material of Izvestia.

How was the Akon concert in Moscow?

Akon arrived in Moscow almost right next to the CSKA Arena show, so he didn't really have time to explore the local sights and cuisine. The day before, he had given another concert in Sochi. There, however, they managed to introduce him to Russian hospitality — they greeted him with bread and salt to the accompaniment of folk music. In the evening of the same day, the hip-hop star turned on the local audience on the stage of the Iceberg Ice Sports Palace in the Olympic Park.

Akon gave a capital concert on the stage of the CSKA Arena. Fans started taking seats in the front rows a few hours before the start. And for good reason — those who were closer to the price were able to literally reach the star. In the midst of the show, during the performance of the hit Right Now (Na Na Na), the 52-year-old artist first bared his steel abs and threw a T-shirt into the audience, after which he went down to the audience to help fans take a spectacular selfie.

The arena was packed almost to capacity, and mostly with an adult audience. Akon is an R'n'B and hip-hop legend of the 2000s, especially familiar to the millennial generation. Among his nostalgic hits performed during the concert are Smack That, Lonely, Belly Dancer (Banaza), and his track record includes five Grammy nominations and collaborations with Michael Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Eminem, David Guetta, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and many other global show business stars.. In 2010, he became the singer of the anthem of the football championship in South Africa Oh Afrika.

— We are the Millennial generation, and we like it. It was my birthday on August 7th. I wanted to gather my closest friends today. I've been thinking for a long time about how to spend my time. And then she bought us all VIP tickets for Akon, one cost 30 thousand rubles. We listened to the songs before that, we were inspired — this is really our youth. We love R'n'B, rap, hip-hop, that's why we're here. It's not about nostalgia. It's always on trend," Margarita Vekhovanets, one of the viewers of the show, told Izvestia.

Among the guests of the evening was singer Margo, who recorded a joint track with Lil Pump this summer after his Moscow concert in June. She told Izvestia that she has no plans to work with Akon.

— I already went to his concert a few years ago. I really liked it! I'm not planning a creative collaboration with Akon. But if we can do it, I'd be glad to meet you and take a picture. I don't want to strain the artist, I know he's tired. And with Lil Pump, we're flying to shoot a music video in Dubai. It's a convenient location for both him and me. It's going to be a very funny, funny video! — the artist shared.

Akon rolled around the hall in a transparent balloon

In the middle of the show, Akon dived into the crowd in a huge transparent balloon and rolled through the hall, held by the hands of fans.

In the finale, the song Freedom was played, to which thousands of lanterns were lit. The show, however, did not end there — the Russian audience did not want to let the guest go so easily. The journalists were waiting for the performer for a short interview after the concert. The correspondents of one of the publications were preparing to meet in national costumes with a loaf and a glass of water (they decided to make immersion in culture smooth). But the artist did not come out to the press.

The fans occupied the service exit, where a minivan for the star had already been delivered. They brought records with them, hoping to snatch an autograph, dolls and flowers. Akon gave the audience a smile at parting, but he did not pick up the presents himself — he got into the car and left on that note.