Viral ‘It’s a Beautiful Day’ singer Rushawn Ewears denies receiving $1 Million from Akon

Rushawn Ewears, the Jamaican teen whose classroom performance of “It’s a Beautiful Day” became a viral feel-good moment online, is publicly asking Akon to stop claiming he gifted him $1 million for a remix of the song, saying the narrative is false and has created serious safety risks for him at home.

In a video posted on Instagram, Ewears directly addressed the rumors that have circulated for more than a year following Akon’s release of Beautiful Day, a remix that sampled Ewears’ viral vocals. “I did not receive any money from anyone except Jermaine Edwards who wrote ‘It’s a Beautiful Day,’” Ewears said. “It was not a demo, and I didn’t receive no one million US dollars from Akon. False statements like these is putting my life in danger.”

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The clip, which has drawn widespread attention online, alternates between Ewears’ present-day message and footage of his original school performance—an innocent, heartfelt rendition that helped the gospel song reach a global audience.

“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. Ewears’ performance was a school cover, not an original recording or a demo connected to Akon.

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Akon released his remix in 2024, reigniting interest in the song and leading to interviews in which he suggested the viral clip stemmed from a leaked demo he had recorded years earlier. In multiple appearances, Akon implied that the collaboration resulted in life-changing compensation for the young singer, fueling online claims that Ewears received up to $1 million.

Both Ewears and Edwards have denied those assertions. Edwards addressed the issue again on Jan. 19, saying the misinformation has had dangerous real-world consequences. “It’s actually putting my friend’s life in danger,” Edwards wrote on Instagram, explaining that people in Ewears’ community believe he has access to vast wealth and are pressuring him because of it. “Please stop doing it.”

According to Ewears, he has never been contacted by Akon and has received no payment from him. There is no public evidence of any contract, payment, or direct communication between the two.

As of now, Akon has not publicly responded to the latest statements.

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 scree