Akon Details His Polyamorous Household and the Framework That Keeps It Running

Akon is shedding light on how his polyamorous household operates, sharing insights into the structure and principles that guide his relationships.

During an appearance on the We Need to Talk podcast on Tuesday, May 19, the 53-year-old "Smack That" artist discussed having multiple wives. Rather than specify an exact number, Akon suggested listeners use their "imagination," characterizing the arrangement as "entertainment."

The music producer emphasized that established guidelines form the backbone of his family dynamic. "Because of the rules that are set around us, we control that behavior to appease our partner because of the same rules that we're living by and that we're agreeing upon," he explained.

Akon touched on how commitment reshapes the nature of relationships and the expectations within them. "When you're single, it's not a problem. It's only when you are attached or you've promised someone that this is a relationship that we're supposed to hold in the rules that you decide to hold it in," he said.

The household includes nine children—seven sons and two daughters. Akon stressed that the success of such an arrangement hinges on clear dialogue and mutual understanding. "The setup all depends on the person and the understanding. It's communication. It's literally the answer and the solution. You got to be mature enough to know that, 'If this is the situation that I'm going to park in, I have to communicate,'" he noted.

According to Akon, his wives are prohibited from pursuing relationships with other people. His first wife holds a special status within the family structure, serving as his emergency contact and earning the titles "Wife No. 1" and "the queen." "Nobody violates Wife No. 1. The moment they violate, [they are] out the door," he stated.

He acknowledged the particular role his first wife plays, noting the adjustments she must navigate. "There's levels in the end, like, she's the one that's actually sacrificing in the end. With new people [joining] your family, there's going to be new attitudes, new mindsets, new behaviors and [the first wife has] to deal with that," Akon shared.

Akon contended that women benefit more from this lifestyle arrangement than men do. "Oftentimes when the family is united in that way, the benefit is more for the woman than it is for the man because the man actually has to take care of all of them. He has to treat them all equally and their responsibility bears on him as well," he concluded.