Akon has defended himself after he received backlash for suggesting that poor people have much easier lives than the rich and famous.
After the death of his friend, Michael K Wiliams, Akon told TMZ that that actor’s death proves the rich and famous struggle more than the poor.
In a more recent interview with TMZ, he addressed the criticisms he received for his statement that “more money” equals “more problems”.
Akon said: “It’s not really more so a walk back, but what I do want to express is that sometimes when comments like that are made—I always speak according to what I’m personally going through myself.
“Nobody can sit there and tell me I didn’t go through poverty.
“I’m having more problems successfully dealing with all that comes with success than I had when I was poor. I was actually happier when I was poor.”
Watch him speak in the video below.