Akon Axed by Verizon Over Simulated Rape

Rapper Akon has been fired by Verizon -- and is being threatened with prosecution -- after he reportedly simulated a rape of a 15-year-old on stage during a concert in Trinidad a few weeks ago.

Verizon promoted Akon as one of the musicians on its mobile-phone music service, and said it would no longer sponsor the Gwen Stefani tour in which Akon, who recently performed on "American Idol," is the opening act.

The rapper invited 15-year-old Danah Alleyne onto the stage, and the girl obliged, thinking that she was entering a dance contest to win a "trip to Africa," as Akon promised. But when Alleyne "won" the contest, the "trip to Africa" turned out to be an on-stage encounter with Akon during which her "head was hitting the floor, said Alleyne to the Trinidad Express (via FOX News).

In its account of the incident, the Trinidad Express said that the "Smack That" rapper was "turning, twisting and even flipping [the girl's] body," while "mimicking sexual positions" and sandwiching the girl with the assistance of another performer. The Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said, in FOX News' report, that Akon should be prosecuted.

This isn't the first time Akon has done some sketchy work on stage. TMZ obtained exclusive footage of Tara Reid getting the Akon treatment during a party at the Sundance Film Festival.

A rep for Verizon told TMZ they were sponsoring Akon and made a decision this week to end the relationship for, as they called it, "reasons." Beyond that, the rep would not elaborate.

Filed under: Music

Reader Comments

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91. My best friends daughter went to a Tulsa concert, she is 12, my best friend did not know anything about Akon and her little sister (which is 22) asked if she could go with her so my best friend said yes. Well Akon announced that he was picking the 5 hottest girls in the audience and this 12 year old was one that he picked. She is tall for her age, but wasn't dressed provacatively, she was in jeans and a regular shirt and she has braces on her teeth. She too was sandwiched and had her butt smacked to the smack that song, And then was invited back to the hotel room for a after party. She said "no thank you, when asked why she wouldn't accept she told them that her mom wouldn't allow it. I was shocked when I found out about all of this and I can assure you that it is all true. This all happened about a month ago, my best friend and her husband did not report it.

Posted at 8:03AM on May 5th 2007 by Jill

92. akon is disgusting

Posted at 11:02AM on May 5th 2007 by shelana

93. The pig should be thrown in a cell with some guy named Bubba and then he can play simulated sex with him. Good luck with that. The fact that she was only 15 years old doesn't matter. Rape is rape. Just more proof that these rap artists should be censored. If you cannot write or perform in a tasteful manner, then perhaps you should find a new career, you know, one that you actually have talent in.

Posted at 12:55PM on May 5th 2007 by Gary

94. She should not have even been in the club, story is her mother brought to the club and was present during the show. It is not his job to ID her, that should have taken place at the club door not by Akon. I understand 15 is 15, but how was he to know that, he is performing at a 18 and up and a parent decided to bring a 15 year old.

Posted at 1:55PM on May 5th 2007 by joanna

95. LOL...LOL.. THAT GIRL IS REALLY ENJOYING GETTING HUMP AND BUMP SHE LOVES IT SHE IS HAVING FUN AND REALLY KNOW'S HOW TO PUT HER TWO LEGS UP IN A POSITION TO HAVE SEX.. SHE KNOW'S .. LOL AND ABOUT TARA SHE'S IS NO INNOCENT CHILD, SHE THE BIGGEST HOE IN HOLLYWOOD...

Posted at 2:44PM on May 5th 2007 by GABRIELLA

96. Americans don't really understand how much more ribald shows can be in a culture like those of the Caribbean. Their understanding of sexuality is also very different from our culture. Overall, Americans are more prudish than many other nation's peoples. No use to argue otherwise, that girl was having a ball! Sex is different than rape, too. That footage did not resemble rape, in my opinion. Does this mean that I condone Akon's act? No, it is disgusting to me, (as I am like most Americans). Like Imus, in my opinion, Akon is free to do his shtick. However, if they get the boot from CBS, or Verizon, it doesn't bother me, since they are not obliged to condone these edgy acts. If they go too far, or offend too many, then it is their own damned fault. People have freedom of speech and expression, and likewise, corporations have the freedom to pull the plug. It is great that they wish to raise the bar above the lowest common denominator and take a stand, for a change.

Posted at 4:36PM on May 5th 2007 by random

97. I feel especially bad for Gwen Stefani. She is an innocent person in all of this and now her tour is no longer being sponsored by Verizon because Akon has to be a royal moron and do that to that girl. Granted, she was there illegally, but that shouldn't be done to ANYONE on stage. It's degrading. Gwen, I still love ya, and loved you in Phoenix last week!

Posted at 5:02PM on May 5th 2007 by Leslie S.

98. Firstly we need to clarify a host of nasty butchering of an entertainer who did nothing wrong.
1.This girl told her parents she was going to get ice-cream with friends.
2.This girl has reported pornographic material previously on the internet.
3.This girl was allowed into an adult pary-this is the problem!

akon had no idea this was an underage girl because she is very well endowed. He was entertaing a crowd for adults and it was entertainment.Secondly in Trinidad and Tobago we dance like Akon .It is called winning(movemnts of the hips).it is very cultural and we have this for Carnival. Thus the whole island would be charged with rape. This idiotic statement has no base as this was a problem that stemmed from management and Akon was unaware of the deceptiveness of this experinced lady. this society is fillef with people who are eager to devour anyone with no substantial evidence. Verizon should be sued together with the manager of the pub for lack of information and carelessness. This is destroying a fine young man with talent.

Posted at 5:54PM on May 5th 2007 by mary justice

99. I want to deeply apologise what i have said sueing verizon and the manager of the club. I know that verizion is a reputable company and the decision would not have been done if it was not a moral issue. Also the young lady i do not know who she is and all what i said are unfounded because they are just rumors(lies). I want to have my statemnt retracted because it is all inaccurate and i have offened so many people and are disappointed in myself. I did not intend for it to come across maliciously. also i had no information to prove my statements.I do apologise and please disregard the above comment.

Posted at 6:41PM on May 5th 2007 by mary justice

100. Great! I hope this sends a message to these nasty rascals. Akon's behavior was filthy. On top of that, he can't sing. I can't stand the sound of his voice.

Posted at 7:31PM on May 5th 2007 by Debra

101. this has been the big story here in trinidad for the last few weeks.
questions...
1. what was a 15yr old doing in that club?
2. what was the daughter of a pastor doing there?
3. why do "superstars' feel they can do what they want?
4. why do we accept this and let them get away with it?

way to verizon...at least someone is standing up to this crap.

Posted at 7:49PM on May 5th 2007 by azeem

102. Al Sharpton is an @$$.He will stick his big nose into this and blame it on racism as always.Hes a total fool,i cant stand him.He sucks.Hes a dirty bum.

Posted at 8:26PM on May 5th 2007 by Muhamad Bygon Choka

103. Shonny / Jessica and anyone else who thinks she didn't seem to upset or look like a 15 year old.

It really doesn't matter if she appeared to be enjoying it or not. The point is WHY would you simulate raping anyone? That is just stupid. It doesn't matter what color she is, how old she is OR what color he is. The sad part is he had already done this to Tara Reid and someone should have screamed when he violated her. Degrading anyone is not the behavior we as a society should put up with. Rape is a violent act, not one of sex or pleasure.

Her age or dress should not be the issue. The issue is his behavior is unacceptable and people should stop buying his music and radio stations should ban playing his music.

Posted at 9:54PM on May 5th 2007 by Movie Me

104. a trip to africa wtf? dumb bitches will believe anything.

Posted at 11:04PM on May 5th 2007 by jeff

105. What a piece of garbage! Maybe the slime will go to jail again...and see how he likes it when someone there lets him win a "trip to Africa"....

Posted at 4:23AM on May 6th 2007 by ellie

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