Akon is mourning the loss of his “really good friend” Michael K. Williams, who tragically passed away earlier this week. As reported by REVOLT, “The Wire” star was found dead in his Brooklyn, New York apartment. He was 54 years old.

“He was actually a really good friend. Amazing person, super funny. Super talented as you know already,” Akon told TMZ on Wednesday (Sept. 8).

“There’s just too many of us going down like that and I think when moments like this happen we all got to reflect ‘cause we’re all going through things in our lives and making decisions that actually affect not only us, but everyone in our lives – everyone who surrounds us [and] looks up to us,” he added.

The 48-year-old said he and Williams hadn’t seen each other since before the pandemic.

“That’s another reason it hurts so much,” he added.

Akon further said that Williams’ death is a reminder to “reach out and check on each other.”

“We never really know what each other is going through,” he explained. “This business creates this environment where everyone’s wearing a mask. No one tells [each other] what’s really going on their life, so real friends can’t even advise you ‘cause they don’t really know what’s happening.”

“We put on this façade of success, but yet behind the façade, there’s so much happening,” he added.

According to The New York Post, drug paraphernalia was found in Williams’ apartment when he died.

“The famous and the rich go through more issues than the poor,” Akon concluded. “More money more problems – that’s a real thing.”

Since news of Williams’ death broke on Monday (Sept. 6), countless fans and colleagues have paid their respects online.

“Shocked and saddened by the death of Michael K. Williams,” actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. previously tweeted. “One of the nicest brothers on the planet with the biggest heart. An amazing actor and soul. May you RIP. God bless.”

See Akon’s full interview with TMZ below.