Why pulling down Akon's pants mid-concert in India isn't a cool fan move

Say it with me: It is not cool to pull down Akon’s pants.

You’re not in a schoolyard, and you’re definitely not a bully—so why behave like one at a concert?

Akon’s Bengaluru show should have been about the music, the energy, and the thrill of seeing an international star light up the stage. Instead, it turned into an unfortunate lesson in how not to behave as a fan. A viral video from the November 14 concert shows several concertgoers tugging at Akon’s pants while he performed his hit song near the VIP barricade. Yes, you read that right—grown adults pulling at a performer’s clothing like it was recess and someone dared them.

And here’s the thing: this isn’t fandom. This is heckling. This is harassment. And it’s absolutely not okay.

Akon, ever the professional, kept performing, calmly tugging his white jeans back up as he continued the song. But no artist—international or local—should have to deal with that kind of behaviour. It isn’t playful. It isn’t “love.” And it certainly isn’t the cultural pride many claim to feel when big names come to perform in another country.

Yet the reactions online were a mix of horror and misplaced humour. Some laughed it off, others brushed it aside, and a few even framed it as enthusiasm. Let’s be clear: calling this “affection” is not just tone-deaf—it’s embarrassing.

Respecting an artist doesn’t end with buying a ticket. It’s about understanding boundaries. It’s about realising that performers aren’t props for you to grab at. It’s about knowing the difference between cheering someone on and making them uncomfortable onstage in front of thousands.

One commenter put it bluntly: “This is sad… he’s an international artist performing for them, and they’re harassing him.” Another wrote, “Not funny at all. This is how we treat guests? Really?”

They’re right. This is bigger than Akon’s pants—it’s about dignity, about public behaviour, about being better hosts and better fans.

Akon heads to Mumbai next for the final show of his tour. One can only hope the crowd shows him the respect he deserves. Because supporting an artist is easy. Not heckling them should be even easier.

Akon’s experience now joins the unfortunate hall of fame of artists who were heckled, harassed, or disrespected by the very crowds they came to entertain.