(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Akon says people shouldnt limit their music tastes.

The American R&B artist shot to fame in 2004 following the release of his first single Locked Up from his debut album Trouble.

The Grammy-award nominated star insists its important for people to embrace other music genres, and think outside of the box when it comes to inspiration.

There are people who only listen to urban music and nothing outside of that. They dont listen to reggae, rock, dance or house music. To me thats bad for the music business and artists, he said in an interview with Vibe magazine.

The 38-year-old likes the fact that musicians are introducing new sounds into the charts. Akon, real name Aliaune Badara Akon Thiam, believes it is important for artists to branch outside of their own cultures and tastes.

Is Euro pop hurting R&B? No... I think its great that people want to try new things. Why limit yourself? The world is bigger than just America, he added. (C) Cover Media