Not really sure what’s going on with Akon lately, but his managerial issues seemed to have gotten worse. The latest and most public dispute is between Akon and Mateo (Matthew “Mateo†Rajkumar) of the American Talent Agency.
Akon alleges that Mateo’s American Talent Agency has been booking shows and taking payment without his approval. He says that ATA continues to claim him even though he fired them in September ‘10, and that they owe him $750k in back payment. Mateo’s reps at the Chambers Group, replied with an official response statement, claiming something different. Check it out after the jump…
“American Talent Agency was instrumental in building Akon’s international brand over their four year long relationship with him, including lucrative cellular company launches in Uganda and Guinea, The MTV Africa Music Awards in Kenya and a performance in Dubai, which was Akon’s highest paid performance to date.
Akon’s accusations of failure to pay earned performance fees and bookings of unapproved appearances and performances are untrue. Furthermore, the accusations that ATA continued to book Akon post termination in September 2010 are at odds with the fact that Akon willingly performed on the SummerBeatz Festival in Australia in November 2010, a booking secured through American Talent Agency.
In actuality, there are many performances for which Akon and Kon Live Touring Inc. owe American Talent Agency several thousands dollars in fees for dates booked by ATA and also several thousands of dollars for costs in connection with performances booked by ATA for which Akon unilaterally canceled or failed to appear, which American Talent Agency has had to absorb on behalf of Akon/Kon Live Touring Inc.
American Talent Agency does not think it appropriate to discuss in the press the financial numbers submitted by Akon in his claims, but vehemently deny the allegations set forth by Akon. ATA will vigorously defend the allegations made against them and will be bringing claims against Kon Live Touring Inc. and Akon individually.”
Source: MissInfo
