Akon
Akon has denied reports that he rejected dark-skinned girls for a music video shoot in Ghana.

Akon has rebutted reports that he turned away dark-skinned black models from his recent music video shoot in Ghana.

The hip-hop star told TMZ that the claims were "absolutely not true". He loved all shades of black women, he said.

It had been reported that Senegalese-born Akon and Nigerian Wizkid had requested "light-skinned and half-caste"' Ghanaian models ahead of the shoot in Accra.

The apparent discrimination quickly became a major topic of discussion within the African community, with some critics claiming that Akon and Wizkid were guilty of self-hatred. Akon said the accusations "made no sense at all".

One fan said: "White men tend to find darker skin attractive if they are interested in dating out of their race. Light skin is no big deal to them, they see that all the time in their own women. Many times, whites appreciate dark skin more than blacks do. Please! We hate ourselves."

Akon refused to let the scandal stop him from preparing for the "show of a lifetime" for Ghanaian fans when he headlines the Guinness Big Eruption Concert on 30 November.

The Konvict Music boss said: "Ghanaian fans, I am so excited to be here, I'm so excited to be performing for you guys. Just make sure you are there. I promise you if you don't you will miss a huge concert that will be talked about for years."