Akon recently sat down with Angie Martinez of Hot 97 and talked about growing up in a household that practiced polygamy. He said his father had about 4 wives, and he knew them all as his mom. According to him, ALL Africans believe in polygamy. I know Bouga is going to have something to say about that!
According to VIBE CONFIDENTIAL, Akon also admitted that he was running his own ‘multi-monogamous’ household down in the Atlanta. But I guess they snipped out that part in the interview I listened to, because I didn’t hear him say that.
*LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW*
Check for Akon’s new album, hitting stores on November 21st. Also, check out the exclusive Akon DVD trailer after the jump.
Shout out to Daniel Pappas for the link
Posted in NEWS/STORIES
Oh my goodness!! It’s my first time to leave a comment on concreteloop! and to top it all off, I’m FIRST!!
It’s certainly not true that all Africans believe in Polygamy. Just because he grew up in such a household does’nt mean that everyone is living that way. In most parts of Africa polygamy is none existent and prohibited. He should get his facts staight before he starts talking s%#&!
Yola,South Africa
I feel you Yola.
I’m from South Africa too and not every household practises polygamy.
My father had two wives and his brother had 4 wives. Things have changed though, you don’t find guys having many wives anymore, at least not from my family anymore.
Yeah what Yola said!!
Akon needs to stop with the SWEEPING generalisations.
Hmm only 2 comments!!
I guess the AFRICAN Americans aren’t particularly interested in this issue…..can we figure beyonce into the mix!!!!
*wandsworth shakes head*
This is the problem…
Beyonce is more important than issues concerning the diaspora
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For y’all that dont know
Diaspora: A dispersion of a people from their original homeland.
Yeah Angel, you are right, I do have something to say to Akon. He must stop generalising. We have so many and different cultures in Africa and what works for one particular person doesn’t work for another, even if you fall under the same cultural boundaries or beliefs or system. Basically, it’s what floats your boat.
*SIGH*
Akon seriously needs to shut the f*ck up with that mess!
he has an opportunity to educate peoples who know little or nothing about africa and africans and he what does he do?! he encourages foolish stereotypes and starts peddling dumb ass generalisations about us and how we do.
NOT ALL AFRICANS PRACTICE POLYGAMY.
damn akon!
He should defineitely not generalize people don’t know enough about Africa as it is, and it seems that he may be one of them. lol. There are plenty of culture that do not practice it.
Some of the reasons why it’s on the decline is because the shifting economy and the changing roles of women. Even when certain groups want to practice polygamy they find can’t afford it. Plus women weren’t allowed to get educations or work outside of the family. More and more women have to work in order to support their families and women are getting more opportunities to go to school, thus decreasing their need to find a husband to support them.
As for his situation in the ATL, more power to him – he can afford it! Most dudes now a days complain that you’re a goldigger if you ask them to take you out to eat let alone support more than one famiily. Can you imagine the health insurance alone would be bananas.
Me personally I could never share someone I truly love, I’d want to give 100% and would need to receive 100%. But I guess there are some chicks who can live with it and aparently Akon found ‘em,
the more the merrier
u can hav 6000000 wives if ur making alot of money by selling alot of records and singing hooks on other people’s songs (needless to say he can only afford to hav 2 on his meager income lol)
anyway i dun hav a prob w/ polygamy, if thats ur culture wuh right do we have to come in and look down on them??
and he does need to get his facts str8t there are over 7,000 cultures/tribes in africa (according to my anthropology teacher) anyway now he’s gonna make a gross generalization about everyone of them??
Am African and looking at my lineage..my parents & their parents & their parents parents..weren’t practising polygamy. Such practices were not always existent and even then, they are slowly fading out.
As pinkcashmerelee said, he should use such opportunities to educate people who dont know much about Africa and not encourage the stereotyping of African’s
Yeah cause on my wedding day my African husband bought along his other 6 wives to watch. And his mama bought his dads other wives for the day too. HA I aint a fan of Akon and I definately am not now. ALL Africans – whatever. And all white people are racists too. huh. ha ha.
As well as behaving as though he’s the first and only person to ever go to prison, he’s now acting like he’s the one and only African in the Western world. He’s making us sound so primitive. Use your cultural knowledge for good, for goodness sake!!
First who the hell would want to see an Akon DVD. He ain’t hardly that interesting to me.
Nasty old bastard. He needs to realize he is not in Africa anymore, so if he does have 4 wives, it’s illegal. And not all Africans have many wives, so he is stereotyping, too.
Akon’s doing what he knows will get him into the news, and we can’t hate him for that (we must just pray he doesn’t get himself infected with HIV). Anyone with half a brain knows that!
As an African, I know some people practice polygamy and that’s alright, I personally wouldn’t. Some things we shouldn’t take so seriously!
On a completely unrelated subject, what’s up with all the Genevieve Jones buzz?
‘Scuse me, but could we really put things in perspective. When someone generalizes, why can’t the reader take it for what it is. You cannot speak for all of any race or group of people, because you don’t know everyone in a group or class. No one can speak for everyone, don’t we know that already? Don’t get your panties in a wad, keep your shirt on. People speak about what they know. No one cannot possibly say all black people, all Chinese, all politicians, all Republicans and mean it. What they mean is the ones they know. Use your intelligence. Nobody knows everybody, and we know that. Generalizing all into a category is kinda ignorant and getting pissed off about it is even moreso. If you’re African and you know that not to be the case, then he obviously ain’t talking about you, right? Does Akon KNOW every African? No.
I think I just lost my apetite.
ITS NOT TRUE THAT ALL AFRICANS PRACTISE POLYGAMY I STRONGLY DISAGREE..I MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT THE WHOLE OF AFRICA…BUT IN SOUTH AFRICA THE PRACTICE IS SLOWLY WITHERING…I KNOW ONLY A FEW SUCH FAMILIES..
HEY BOUGA WSUP…
I read this a few days ago on some blog…and all I have to say is the more power to them. If these women want to marry a man with 4-6 wives hey what can u say…really who cares?lol
I mean alot of women share the same dude, know about each other, and then have kids by the guy. The biggest difference is they don’t have a wedding ring…
Co-sign with 5. After hearing this, I will never cop any CD he’s affiliated with. His comments are disgusting.
Of course Akon doesn’t know every one, so he mustn’t speak for everyone especially when AFRICANS are already so heavily stereotyped. Many people {including black americans as much as other races} continue to refer to Africa as if it were a country, assume that we are uneducated, live in huts and play with elephants!!!! Personally I am SO SICK of being asked ignorant questions.
A person in his postion has alot of responsibility to educate and elimate these harmful stereotypes. Instead, he chooses to further create more outrageous generalisations.
Now don’t get me wrong I’m not saying all Africans practice polygamy…we all know that is some bullshyt but I’m not surprised that some people (including all nationalities) wanna practice polygamy.
Alot of people subconsciously do it anyways…
I have been dealing with a guy who is African for about three years. I have been around his friends who are also African. Even though they are not marry to all of these females, it seems like they all have a wife but also have their girlfriends on the side and the wives know about these females. you might as well say they are practicing polygamy in their own way. Matter affect alot of Americans are doing the samething as well!
My ex was African and I can definitely say that Akon’s comments are the most offensive…I know my ex’s family were definitely not into polygamy and totally would be offended by his ignorance.
multi-monogamous?
GTFOH.
i wonder if “i’m part african” will become an excuse for cheating the way “glaucoma” became one for smoking weed….
Bouga:
You are CUTE!!!
He needs to shut up! I’m African and I feel insulted for him making such a stupid generalization. I was raised in a Christian household so how in the hell would I practice polygamy? He needs to stop making excuses for his behavior and fess up to being irresponsible…dumbass!
This is sad and it is good that other Africans are that have commented has disspelled this untruth.
I’ve heard stuff like this before but honestly what woman would want to share her man like that. Then the mom’s are like best friends. I couldn’t imagine living like that. Call me selfish but I want my man all to myself.
How many people actually listened to the interview instead of just going off of what Angel wrote?
I listened to the miss Info interview over the weekend and he NEVER said ALL AFRICANS practice polygamy….HE NEVER SAID THAT.
He said it is known to be a part of the culture “BUT NOT EVERYONE PRACTICES IT!”
Whether its because of his culture or religion I don’t have a problem with him having more than one wife. To those that said oh he’s in America and callin him a nasty bastard that shows that if we had the chance we would probably do exactly what Europeans did the blacks in the slave trade. We were the barbaric ones with our many gods, dark skin, strange language and different cultural practices.
You may not agree with someone’s culture but it is quite imperialistic to say he should not be able to practice it.
As for being illegal. I’m sure that he isn’t legally married to more than one person, probably just his 1st wife (if at all legally), but they all know that they are his wives and he also acknowleges that.
I am not African, I’m not a polygamist and neither am I Muslim but some of the intolerant opinions here…anyways what did I expect its CL lol
#13 I feel ya I read 2 articles about Genevieve Jones “rise thru the ranks of fashion”
A black it girl without a trust fund…interesting. I wonder how much long she will last of if she will snag the endorsement deal she is hoping for….who knows but if I heard about her she def. has buzz.
Yea, I heard him say that he is praticing a similar belief in ATL w/ his gf and Angie asked him if the woman was from Africa and he said, “No, she’s from South Carolina”….it was on the Miss Info Podcast of the Angie M. interview. Also, Miss Info made a good point—-polygamy is illegal in the US, so he might have serveral girlfriends, but NOT several wives!
***I am not African, but I hope that for his sake, he was just kidding when he said “all Africans believe in it—unless they found an American woman first….*** that is VERY general, Akon! lol
But, I am African American and I know that I hate it when ppl generalize about “us” (I know that African American is African, but I mean to say that I was not born there, have never been there—but would like to visit somewhere in Africa—-and that I am not a citizen of Africa)— so I can see why this is so upsetting to many.
I thought Akon was Haitian.
Anyway, he’s just trying to extend his 21 minutes of fame. Since he got some coins, let him do what he do. In ten years will be a legend? Probably not.
At least he marry the women instead of having a bunch of baby mommas, but above all, it’s consentual.
Isn’t polygamy illegal in the US?
To everyone saying that Akon is “generalizing”:
I’m sitting here thinking, first cannibalism and now polygamy! Damn, what’s next? I agree that Akon shouldn’t make ‘generalizations’, but my ancestors are starting to scare the $#!T outta me!
You see, when there is polygamy, there is usually incest! And, where there is incest, there is child abuse! Polygamy is the fire that fuels the spread of deseases like HIV!
Apartheid and AIDS hit our people harder than any other place in the world! It sounds like you need money to hold down multiple wives!
There are people in Utah who practice pologamy! They make up only a small portion of the Morman community and they are considered to be outcast! Nonetheless, they are alive and well and other Mormans all know about it as well as the rest of the world.
Why should we minimizes their existance? The Morman church rarely addresses their problem! Catholics try to hide the rape of alter boys by the priest! Why is it human nature to pretend that problems don’t exist and that they will just go away…but they don’t go away without confrontation and exposure!
So, what other dirty little practices are there in the Motherland? Voodoo? Sacrafices? Beasting? Gang rapes? I’m glad to hear Bouga say that things are getting better and not the way rumors portray, but damn, I thank God that He saw fit to bring a remnant of us to America!
Now, we’re not saints here in America either! And, Katrina was a wake-up call and curse to black people whether we admit it or not! Thank God, there are some good things to come from tragedies and disasters, but there are some things that we can do for ourselves. One thing we can do is to expose the truth about cultural sickness and abuses!
Everyone says that Akon is making ‘generalizations’ and in the next breath, most people speak of personal experience or knowledge of family members who practiced polygamy!
I’ve heard of more cases just this morning, than I ever seen growing up! I’m kinda shocked, but disappointed with the contradictions of first-hand knowledge and exposure! I’d rather hear that things are being done to end the pactice than hearing that Akon is overstating the exception and not the rule!
Developing…
To kuliokat (#19). I Was born in america, my parents the west indies and america and I Consider myself an African person first and foremost.
I HATE when our people say “OH I’m not African, I’m American or I’m BLACK” You never see an Asian person saying “Oh I’m not asian, I’m Yellow” They are obviously Asian, NO MATTER WHERE they were BORN. Anyone can LOOK at me and know that my great great great parents are from AFRICA. Unfortunately I dont know which country for obvious reasons.
And I FEEL you, I would NEVER ask you such silly questions. And actually it pisses me off as well when people joke about their own ancestry.
And AKON can do whatever he wants with his 20 GIRLFRIENDS. Thats his biz…He Didnt say All Africans practice polygamy. Listen to the audio folks.
This is just an excuse for him to be a ‘ho.
#27 please do yourself a favor and listen to the interview which is posted on the angie martinez podcast section. brotha man said LOUD n CLEAR ‘all AFRICANS…i know cos im african’
My dad practice “polygny” and he has two wives. We all grew up together, and respect each other. I really don’t have a problem with it if it’s done right. I also don’t see what the big deal is, because most of my America uncles are married and have girlfriends on the side or had one or two or sometimes three and all of the girlfriends knew they were married.
Alot of women want to pretend they can’t take polygny, but after finding their husbands cheating they don’t leave them. We call that polygny without responsiblity.
Also, we find the societies in Africa that practice “polygny” and not “polygamy” have the lowest Aids rate. They did a study and found that most men here in the United States like 90% if they could get away with being a polygynist would marry more then two wives. Oh! life in the West…it’s more to it then meets the eye. This explains the affairs, the growing sexual transmitted diseases.
I’m from Senegal where polygny is the norm, and Senegal just happens to be a country where Aids is relatively unheard of. They did a PBS special about it.
http://www.pbs.org/newsho...jan-june01/aids_5-17.html
http://www.newsrx.com/new...05-03/050320043332AW.html
Meatloaf is Bill Cosby…LOL!
Kidding. I respect your thoughts.
Now stop giving women drug-laced muffins…LOL!
I have dated several men that are African and none of them believed that. I guess different strokes for different folks, but he shouldn’t say ALL AFRICANS believe something.
I agree that some people are jumping to conclusions, and saying that they’ll stop supporting him is a bit harsh. And Bonifant is right. He never said all Africans PRACTICE polygamy. He said, “All Africans believe in it.” That’s when Angie says, “You can’t say all.” He then says, Naw, they all BELIEVE in it. Trust me. I know.”
He made a sweeping generalization and that was dumb as hell on his part. But people have to look at the source. Akon is not a scholar and he said nothing less ignorant than 99% of the rappers out there say on 99% of their records. Even Cam’ron, Dame Dash and I believe Jim Jones went on national TV (Bill O’Reilly Factor) and was talking about how all blacks do this and that and how all whites are such and such. (This was some time last year).
Anyway, my point is that we are quick to condemn artists for saying dumb things in an interview but then we’ll be in the club shaking our asses to “Get Low” from the Ying Yang Twins. Although Akon’s statements are just as offensive, he is speaking from his individual experience. Like someone else said, Akon can’t possibly speak for every African because he’s not every African. He can only speak for himself. But let’s not all rally to boycott Akon just because he’s perpetuating yet another stereotype when we still shake that ass to music just because it has a good beat.
If you really hate generalizations, be just as quick to condemn artists when they say the same type of ignorant sh!t on their records. When the next rapper decides to yell “Beyotches and hoes love money and clothes” get your picket signs ready.
The Ying Yang Twins made a lot of bullshit records, but “Get Low” wasn’t one of them that was Li’l Jon and the Eastside Boyz. And yes, I did shake my ass to it in the club that beat was ridiculous. But yeah, I was ashamed of myself.
Y’all killing me with the self-righteous American bias…Like black men in this country don’t practice polygamy. Like they don’t have girls on the side and other FAMILIES. Certainly not all, but enough to make it pretty common.
In my experience, I’d say just about every African brother I’ve come into contact with who lives in this country esp. if they are 30 plus has a wife there and a woman or wife here, too. My girlfriend married an African, my braider was African, my mother’s man of 20 years is African, so I have some experience. It’s not like its uncommon. I don’t know what Akon said, but there it is.
^ My bad MissTee. I guess I need to email Yahoo and tell them to stop giving the Ying Yangs credit for “Get Low” also. Thanks for the correction. smh.
Boooo hooooo! Awww, the babies wanna cry because Akon is generalizing. Give me a break! I have to agree with Ms Mac1. Next time a rapper generalizes and disrespects females I hope you’ll have the same energy towards them as well.
NOT SURPRISED…NEXT
Angel.la said:
*Wednesday: October 4, 2006
AKON BELIEVES/PRACTICES POLYGAMY
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Akon recently sat down with Angie Martinez of Hot 97 and talked about growing up in a household that practiced polygamy. He said his father had about 4 wives, and he knew them all as his mom. According to him, ALL Africans believe in polygamy. I know Bouga is going to have something to say about that!
According to VIBE CONFIDENTIAL, Akon also admitted that he was running his own ‘multi-monogamous’ household down in the Atlanta. But I guess they snipped out that part in the interview I listened to, because I didn’t hear him say that.
Bill Said:
Polygamy is illegal in The United States Right ???
Why is Akron stating that he has a Multi monogamous household in Atlanta ? That is a dumb that to say..Does he want the Fed’s to visit his house ???
Some people say things just to get attention.
I have difficulty believing that Akron has the ability to ATTRACT more than one woman at a time…He isn’t the most attractive person in the world, and he says dumb things..
Why people continue to put their personnel business out like that is beyond me…..
This is all so dumb..
I have difficulty maintaing ONE relationship…
I ain’t trying to have 5 wives & 50 children…
That a very expensive propatition, and a LOT of energy expanded !!.
I couldn’t imagine making love to five different women in one week.
Man, African Men has a lot of energy & mojo…
I’m getting tired just thinking about this subject !
I don’t agree with polygamy(Akon is gross)but if you think about it, it’s going on in urban areas (and suburbs for that matter) all the time. How many men do you know that have 2 or more baby momma’s? The only difference is that he hasn’t married them and probably never will. He continues to jump from one baby momma to the next…that’s just nasty ya’ll!!!
Sizzle:
Chile, you are right…. These Baby Mama dramas is the SAME thing…..all of it aint nothing but the devil
on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 @ 11:35 am
Sizzle said:
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I don’t agree with polygamy(Akon is gross)but if you think about it, it’s going on in urban areas (and suburbs for that matter) all the time. How many men do you know that have 2 or more baby momma’s? The only difference is that he hasn’t married them and probably never will. He continues to jump from one baby momma to the next…that’s just nasty ya’ll!!!
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on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 @ 11:42 am
Lilly said:
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Sizzle:
Chile, you are right…. These Baby Mama dramas is the SAME thing…..all of it aint nothing but the devil
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Bill Said:
Lily & Sizzle,
Your BOTH right…
Polygamy is just a nice word for a Male Hoe !!
I have an associate who has children with two sisters and one cousin
*3 kids total by assorted family members….
Woman are quick to say that because of the lack of “qualified” black men
*qualified = those who are expert in laying pipe !!! that they don’t have much options, so this type of behavior is excused and even glorified
** the so called PIMP phenomenon…
I believe that if you attempt to stick your pee pee in strange & various pootang, it will shivel up & fall off !
Man..I’m too scared to even consider this nonsense…
Wifey told me should would cut it off, and I’m certain she would !
You all are raising some good points!
Questions, does anyone here watch “Big Love” besides me? When I saw this post that’s what I immediately thought of.
I don’t think I can personally share my man with one woman let alone 3 or 4, but I don’t know if it’s really my place to judge other’s who can? I do believe homosexuals should be allowed to marry each other so why then should polygamist not be allowed to do their thing as well? Of course both of these things are illegal in the U.S., but the post just made me think about it ?
I think people in general overestimate the intention of marriage. “Marrying for love” is a relatively new concept in the history of the world and for some people that idea is still a novelty whether that be here in America or in Senegal or wherever. Marriage is a social construct, it’s a legal arrangement and for every culture that arrangement means something different whether that be having a vehicle for creating a family, building wealth etc.
At the end of the day Akon is just a celeb and not the spokesperson for the entire African continent. I think his quote did exactly what he wanted it to…people are talking about him.
where’s AKon from? Ghana? He looks it. Anyway, not ALL Africans practice polygamy!!
#37 Girlblue~
That $#!T ain’t funny! I resemble that remark! My muffins are all freshly baked with only the finest ingredients!
#36 Kine ~
I do respect that you’re man enough to speak the truth! However, why must the lion always attack the “American uncles” when he is cornered! This isn’t about Tyrone, its about Akon and the African polynigs!
The American society does not condone the behavior you described! And, although a polygamist’s sex partners are numbered, its the “polyniggas” in-training who are spreading the deseases and abusing women and children! Senegal has been spared the desease of other societies because of its economic stability! Senegal is like Utah! “Close knit” and mated from within! Very few outside influences! That still doesn’t make the dirty little habits okay!
So, don’t boast, because your day is coming! You are no better than the Keyians or Etheopians…you’re just more materialistic and controlled within the Senegal enviornment! Senegal is like the city of Babylon! A man who sleeps with his sisters, his children and his children’s children, will probably not catch AIDS!
AKON is a damn fool!!!!! All Africans do not believe in polygamy. The majority do not. As an African I find his generalizations very offensive and frankly uneducated. No one in my family practices any type of polygamy. Not the ones in Canada, the US, or the UK and sure as hell not the ones in Nigeria.
If I saw that fool I would seriously slap his uneducated ass!
#49 chillin in ny said: “Marriage is a social construct”
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If you know anything about God, you’d know that marriage is more than just a social construct! That’s what non-believers try and deduce it too, but a believer knows that it is a sacred Holy institution ordained by God!
And you talked about, “marrying for love”!
Well, most men have to learn to love their wives as Christ loved the church! I suggest that you marry for compatibility, committment, caring and in time you will grow in love! Then, love will keep you together and cause you to make major sacrafices for each other!
I need to hear your definition of love????
#52 miss_rere~
I believe Akon is saying that polygamy can be found in every country and society with the African Continent! “All of Africa”…not “All Africans”!
You cleverly stopped short of saying that you don’t know of any polygamist in Nigeria! Only that no one in you’re family does! So, are you saying that there are no polygamist in Nigeria? I didn’t think so!
Now, be up front and tell the true reason why none of your family has ever practiced the dirty deed! Ministers…? Too poor? Done on the DL? What?
Im surprised to hear him speak in generalizations because most of the people that I know from Africa(who actually grew up there)don’t speak like that. I hear Americans generalize but not people from other places. That makes me believe that although he may be Senegalese he was probably born and bred in America.
I’ve never heard anyone from East or West Africa put themselves in a group together and say they all do the same thing. In fact, I know most would get offended by that.
Mo Women, More PROBLEMS !!
What man in their RIGHT MIND would WANT to have more than ONE WIFE at a time ????
Man..That would be just to confusing…
Do you have a chart on the wall that tells you which wife needs to be “attended to” on any given night ??
Have many wives get made “love” to on any given night ?
Is there a Ginsing Dispenser in the Bedroom ???
* I personaly recommend JOLT Soda, the Preferred Soda of Programmers & College Student’s !!!
I watch Flavor of Love every week, and personally can’t figure out HOW Flavor Flav can REMEMBER all those different chicks names, much less have TIME & energy to “spend time with them”.
Man..That would be to much work for me
And FORGET about having Multiple women living in the same house together..Those girls on Flavor of Love are Fighting each other every week, cussing each other out..I could only imagine how 5 wives (BLACK WOMEN) would act towards each other…….
Polygamy is for a Young 18 year old boy with plenty of free time on his hand….
He should be glad he can pull one wife, let alone several wives.
I know he’s of African descent, but wasn’t he born & raised in New Jersey? Someone let me know.
lol, whoever said polygamy is none existent in most parts of africa is seriously dreaming.
it is very much in existence and in practice whether hidden (wives dont know about each other) or out in the open, but NOT EVERYONE DOES IT.
and being polygamous has nothign to do with being civilised. psshw
lol i guess if you allow gay marriage you’re civilized but it you allow polygyny you’re not. the mind does boggle
@jewel, just cause he was born and raised in NJ (which i doubt, i think he was raised in senegal) doesnt make him any less african. its all about who you chose to identify with. being born and raised in the us doesnt make you any less jewish (if you are)
Gigi, my point was how the hell was his dad running around legally with 4 wives in Jersey? I know about Utah. If his pops had 4 wives in the crib, then that’s craaaaaaazy.
I’m definitely not saying it makes him less African.