Viral ‘It’s a Beautiful Day’ Singer Denies Akon’s $1 Million Claim, Cites Safety Fears

Rushawn Ewears, the Jamaican teenager whose joyful classroom performance of the gospel song “It’s a Beautiful Day” captured global attention, has publicly denied claims that he received one million US dollars from international star Akon, saying the story is untrue and has placed his personal safety at risk.

In a video posted to Instagram, Ewears addressed rumors that have circulated for more than a year following Akon’s 2024 release of “Beautiful Day,” a remix that sampled vocals from the viral clip. Ewears said he never received money from Akon and warned that repeated claims of a large payout have created dangerous expectations within his community.

“I did not receive any money from anyone except Jermaine Edwards who wrote ‘It’s a Beautiful Day.’ It was not a demo, and I didn’t receive one million US dollars from Akon. False statements like these are putting my life in danger,” Ewears said.

The video combines Ewears’ present-day message with footage of his original school performance, a simple and heartfelt cover that helped propel the gospel song to international audiences. The contrast underscores how a moment of innocence has evolved into a source of stress and fear for the young singer.

“It’s a Beautiful Day” was written and recorded by Jamaican gospel artist Jermaine Edwards, who has consistently stated that he is the sole writer and rights holder of the song. Edwards has emphasized that Ewears’ performance was a school cover, not an original recording, demo, or commercial collaboration.

After releasing his remix, Akon suggested in interviews that the viral clip originated from a leaked demo recorded years earlier, and implied that the young singer had received life-changing compensation. Those comments fueled widespread online claims that Ewears was paid as much as one million dollars.

Both Ewears and Edwards have repeatedly denied the narrative. Edwards recently warned that the misinformation has real-world consequences, saying people believe Ewears has access to significant wealth and are pressuring him because of it.

Akon has not responded, and no evidence of payment has emerged.

The situation has sparked renewed discussion online about the impact of celebrity narratives and viral misinformation, particularly when they involve minors from vulnerable communities. What began as a joyful classroom moment has now become a cautionary example of how unchecked claims can carry serious consequences beyond the screen.