Akon Explains Why He Passed On Signing Drake

Fat Joe, who turned down Eminem multiple times, certainly isn't the only label boss to pass on someone who went on to great things.

Akon had a chance to sign Drake after the youngster was brought to him by Canadian rapper-producer Kardinal Offishall. He didn't. Unlike Fat Joe, who says missing out on Shady was the biggest regret of his career, Akon seems comfortable with his fateful decision, which he discussed with Montreality.

"I honestly did pass on [Drake] because at the time, he didn’t sound like what he sounded like today,” Akon told Montreality. "The ‘Best I Ever Had,' it wasn’t even close to what that sounded like. I think he was at a position where he was finding himself. And I kind of heard it in the music, but ultimately, as time goes, people develop and they get better and they become the best because of things like that." I think his confidence has grown a lot," he continued. "You can see it on stage now. He’s fully-developed. Right now, I just feel like he’s the top at what he do."

Do you think Drake would have had turned into Drake if he was signed by Akon, and not Lil Wayne and Baby?