In the music video for the 2005 song “Lonely”, the scene begins with Akon basking in the adoration of his fans as they give him a standing ovation at his concert. Nevertheless, the applause gradually diminishes, and Akon finds himself standing solitary on the stage. Although a friend extends an invitation to join a gathering of friends, he graciously refuses, preoccupied by a multitude of thoughts.
The video then transitions to scenes of Akon reflecting on the actions that led his girlfriend, portrayed by actress Kat Graham from The Vampire Diaries, to abruptly leave him without explanation. As Akon wanders through the town, visiting an abandoned video game arcade and strolling down a bustling boulevard, Graham is depicted crying in separate scenes. She takes a plane ticket, packs her bags, and departs from the home she shared with the singer. The visual concludes with Graham arriving in a taxi and warmly greeting a man who is not Akon with a hug. “Lonely” served as the third single from Akon’s debut studio album, Trouble. The track achieved a peak position of No. 4 and spent a remarkable 20 weeks on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Akon’s third solo entry on the chart. “Lonely” now joins the prestigious Billion Views Club on YouTube, following the success of Akon’s “Smack That (feat. Eminem)” with 1.1 billion views and David Guetta’s “Play Hard,” in which Akon featured alongside Ne-Yo, also with 1.1 billion views.
“Akon’s “lonely” video Joins YouTube’s Billion Views Club”. Billboard.com. September 27, 2023. September 28, 2023.
