R&B singer Akon is being accused of going to extreme measures in order to prevent contracting Ebola during a recent concert in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On Sept. 28, the 41 year old climbed inside a giant, airtight blow-up bubble during a performance in Goma to crowd-surf. Akon, whose real name Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Bongo Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, was pushed along by 60,000 screaming fans.
Media reports have denounced the St. Louis-native for his creative tactic, but possibly without merit. However, the five-time Grammy nominee performed inside the bubble on a number of occasions, including in Perth and Dubai. Neither of those countries were battling Ebola outbreaks at the time.
[Image: AFP]
The “Locked Up” singer frequently travels to Africa, where he is one of the most celebrated and admired artist. In 2011, Forbes ranked him fifth amongst the most powerful celebrities in Africa, citing his own Konfidence Foundation, a charity for underprivileged children, and his diamond mine in South Africa.
The performance was a part of a free concert sponsored by the charity, Peace One Day, to help promote the United Nations International Day of Peace.
Forty-two people have died in DR Congo since the Ebola outbreak erupted in West Africa six months ago.
[Image: AFP]