Akon

Akon
Akon
Born	Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam; April 16, 1973 (age 53); St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist
Years active	1996–present
Known for	Music career, founding Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution record labels, philanthropy (Akon Lighting Africa)
Notable work	Trouble (2004), Konvicted (2006), Freedom (2008)

Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973), widely recognized simply as Akon (), is a Senegalese-American artist known for his work as a singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He gained widespread attention in 2004 with the release of his single "Locked Up" featuring Styles P, which served as the lead track for his debut album Trouble (2004). This album marked the beginning of his commercial breakthrough and featured the successful R&B track "Lonely".

His follow-up album, Konvicted (2006), received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album. The album’s prominent singles, "I Wanna Love You" featuring Snoop Dogg and "Smack That" featuring Eminem, were both nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and achieved peak positions at numbers one and two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Akon made history as the first solo artist to hold the top two spots on the chart simultaneously on two occasions, with later hits such as "Don't Matter" and "The Sweet Escape" alongside Gwen Stefani. His third studio effort, Freedom (2008), included the top ten hit "Right Now (Na Na Na)" along with other charting singles.

In 2019, Akon released two albums: El Negreeto, which delved into reggaeton and Latin genres, and Akonda, centered around Afrobeats; however, neither album appeared on major charts. Beyond his solo projects, Akon has been featured on 23 additional tracks that entered the Billboard Hot 100 and has garnered two more Grammy nominations through these collaborations.

Akon established the record labels Konvict Muzik in 2004 and KonLive Distribution in 2007, signing notable artists including Lady Gaga, T-Pain, R. City, Kardinal Offishall, Jeffree Star, and French Montana. His extensive production and songwriting credits extend across artists signed to his labels as well as others such as Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Sean Paul, Whitney Houston, Mario, and Estelle.

On the philanthropic front, Akon launched the non-profit organization Akon Lighting Africa in 2014 and is actively involved in developing a futuristic city project in Senegal, with plans for completion by 2028. In 2010, Forbes ranked him 80th on its Celebrity 100 list and placed him fifth among Africa’s Most Powerful Celebrities in 2011. Billboard recognized him as sixth on its Top Digital Songs Artists of the decade ranking. Additionally, he holds a Guinness World Record as the best-selling master ringtone artist worldwide, having sold 11 million units by December 2007.

Early life

Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam was born on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri, into a Muslim household. His mother, Kine Gueye Thiam (née Gueye), was a dancer, while his father, percussionist Mor Thiam, hailed from a Quranic scholar lineage among the Toucouleur community in Kaolack, Senegal. Akon spent a significant portion of his youth in Senegal—whom he regards as his "hometown"—and mastered five instruments including drums, guitar, and the traditional djembe. At age seven, his family relocated to Union City, New Jersey, dividing their time between Senegal and the United States before settling permanently in Newark. During his upbringing in New Jersey, Akon faced challenges with peer relationships. When he and his younger brother, Bu Thiam, entered high school years, their parents moved most of the family to Atlanta, Georgia but left them to live independently in Jersey City. He attended William L. Dickinson High School there.

Akon has publicly stated involvement with an auto-theft ring and claimed to have served three years incarcerated between 1999 and 2002; however, court documents and investigative reports from 2008 disputed this assertion by indicating no conviction or continuous imprisonment during that timeframe. In response, Akon clarified that although he did not serve three consecutive years behind bars, he underwent several shorter sentences cumulatively totaling three years.

1996–2005: Early beginnings and Trouble

While still attending high school, Akon became part of the Refugee Camp, an extended musical collective affiliated with the Fugees. In 1996, he recorded "Operations of Nature," which secured a contract with Elektra Records. Despite this opportunity, the single did not achieve commercial success in the United States, resulting in the termination of his contract. This experience proved to be a pivotal moment in his artistic journey.

Devyne Stephens, president of Upfront Megatainment, discovered Akon through rapper Lil Zane. Stephens took on a mentorship role and signed Akon to his production company, helping to refine his skills professionally. Their collaboration attracted the attention of Universal's SRC Records. Jerome "Knobody" Foster, an A&R executive at SRC, recognized Akon's track "Lonely" as a potential breakout hit, leading SRC CEO Steve Rifkind to arrange a meeting with Akon in Atlanta. This encounter quickly led to a productive working relationship between Akon and Foster.

Akon's debut album, Trouble, was released on June 29, 2004, and included singles such as "Locked Up," "Lonely," "Belly Dancer (Bananza)," "Pot of Gold," and "Ghetto." The single "Locked Up" achieved notable chart positions, reaching number 8 in the US and number 5 in the UK. The album combined Akon's West African vocal influences with East Coast and Southern hip-hop beats, frequently opening tracks with jail cell sound effects and featuring his distinctive "Konvict" signature tag.

In 2005, the single "Lonely," which sampled Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely," gained international acclaim by topping charts in Australia, the UK, and Germany while also reaching the top five on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album itself reached number one on the UK charts. The music video for "Lonely" dominated The Box’s weekly rankings for over fifteen weeks. That year, Akon was featured on P-Money's track "Keep on Callin'" and Savage's "Moonshine," both of which achieved number one status in New Zealand. He further elevated his profile by appearing on Young Jeezy's debut album Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 on the song "Soul Survivor." In December 2005, Akon's manager Robert Montanez was tragically killed in New Jersey.

In 2006, Akon and Young Jeezy announced plans to collaborate on a joint album project.

2006–2008: Konvicted

Akon established his own record label, KonLive Distribution, operating under Interscope Records. His sophomore album, Konvicted, was released in November 2006 and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 286,000 copies. Within six weeks, it surpassed one million copies sold in the US and earned platinum certification after seven weeks; it later achieved double platinum status by week sixteen. The album maintained a presence in the top twenty for 28 consecutive weeks and peaked at number two on four occasions. By November 2007, it had been certified triple platinum with three million units sold domestically.

The record featured collaborations with prominent artists including Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Styles P. Its lead single "Smack That" featuring Eminem was released in August 2006 and held the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks. Notably, it set a then-record for the largest leap on the Hot 100 chart by jumping from number 95 to number 7 due to strong digital sales momentum. The track earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

The follow-up single "I Wanna Love You," featuring Snoop Dogg, marked Akon's first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, maintaining that position for two weeks. In January 2007, "Don't Matter" became his first solo chart-topper and second consecutive Hot 100 number one. Additional singles from the album included "Mama Africa," released primarily in Europe, and "Sorry, Blame It on Me," which debuted at number seven on the Hot 100 alongside a deluxe edition of the album.

In February 2007, Akon ventured into fashion by launching Konvict Clothing, an urban streetwear line featuring denim jeans, hoodies, T-shirts, and caps. Alongside this was the upscale Aliaune collection targeting premium markets with items like blazers and high-quality denim.

In April 2007, controversy arose when Akon performed an act involving a minor during a concert in Trinidad and Tobago. As a result of this incident, Verizon Wireless removed ringtones containing his songs from their offerings and withdrew sponsorship from The Sweet Escape Tour, where Akon was scheduled as an opening act for Gwen Stefani. Conservative commentators criticized him for allegedly promoting misogynistic themes.

Akon produced and appeared on Gwen Stefani’s hit single "The Sweet Escape," which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He also performed during Live Earth's American leg and contributed vocals to Michael Jackson’s remix of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" for Thriller’s 25th anniversary edition. Collaborations with bachata group Aventura and reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel resulted in the track "All Up 2 You," which received nominations at Premios Lo Nuestro 2010. Additionally, he signed Hispanic R&B/reggaeton artist Jayko to his label roster.

On June 3, 2007, during a concert at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, New York, Akon reacted to an object thrown onto the stage by lifting a teenager onto his shoulders and tossing him back into the audience. Law enforcement reviewed footage of this event; Akon later explained that it was part of a staged promotional stunt. He faced charges including endangering a minor and harassment but ultimately pled guilty solely to harassment in 2008. His sentence included community service and a monetary fine without incarceration.

2008–2009: Freedom

On December 2, 2008, Akon unveiled his third studio album, Freedom, which included four singles: "Right Now (Na Na Na)", "I'm So Paid" featuring Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy, "Beautiful" with Colby O'Donis and Kardinal Offishall, and "We Don't Care". This album achieved platinum certification in the United States. In 2009, rapper Nelly indicated that Akon, Pharrell, and T-Pain were contemplating forming a rap supergroup. Akon, along with Konvict Muzik, produced the 2009 album State of Survival for the hip-hop/rock band Flipsyde, released through KonLive Distribution and Cherrytree Records. Additionally, he served as executive producer for Kardinal Offishall's fourth solo project Not 4 Sale, whose lead single "Dangerous" featuring Akon climbed to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Akon also co-wrote the hit "Just Dance" for Kon Live artist Lady Gaga, a track that garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording.

In response to the passing of Michael Jackson, with whom Akon had been collaborating, he released a tribute titled "Cry Out of Joy". Akon maintained a close relationship with Jackson during his final days. The duet "Hold My Hand" leaked online in July 2008 but was excluded from the Freedom album. Akon disclosed that Jackson had intended for a major release prior to the leak; this recording became Jackson’s last known work before his death in June 2009. Akon finalized the track for inclusion on Jackson’s posthumous album Michael, which was issued as a single in November 2010.

Akon contributed as a co-writer on "Put It on My Tab" for New Kids on the Block's 2008 reunion album The Block. He also co-wrote and produced Leona Lewis’s single "Forgive Me" and collaborated with 2008 X Factor winner Alexandra Burke on her debut record. In 2009, Akon worked alongside Whitney Houston on her comeback album I Look to You, featuring on the track "Like I Never Left". He partnered with Pitbull for the single "Shut It Down" from the album Rebelution and created a remix of Matisyahu’s single "One Day". Moreover, he co-produced singer Natalia Kills’ debut single "Mirrors" from her record Perfectionist.

On March 25, 2009, Akon joined forces with Peter Buffett on the social initiative IsThereSomethingICanDo.com, collaborating with DoSomething.org to raise awareness about human trafficking through their song "Blood Into Gold".

Marking his entry into house music, Akon teamed up with David Guetta on "Sexy Bitch", which topped charts in more than six countries and reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also produced and recorded "Oh Africa" in support of the 2010 World Cup in partnership with Pepsi.

According to figures reported by Forbes, Akon's annual earnings were $12 million in 2008, rose to $20 million in 2009, increased slightly to $21 million in 2010, and then declined to $13 million in 2011.

2010–2018: Shelved Stadium album and period of inactivity

In September 2010, Akon unveiled the single "Angel", produced by Guetta, which reached number 56 on the US Billboard charts, falling short of the success of his previous hits. He showcased this track during the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. During this period, Akon collaborated with Damian, Julian, and Stephen Marley in Jamaica and partnered with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on "Kush", which climbed to number 36 on the Billboard charts. This song was intended for Dr. Dre's unreleased album Detox. Additionally, Akon participated in the charity single "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti" in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. After nearly three years without solo releases, he made a comeback in February 2013 with "Dirty Work" featuring Wiz Khalifa, which peaked at number 31 on the Rhythmic Billboard chart.

In 2010, a scheduled concert in Sri Lanka was canceled amid protests concerning his music video for "Sexy Chick", which included Buddha statues; consequently, the Sri Lankan authorities refused to grant him a visa.

On November 11, 2013, Akon released the single "So Blue". On January 1, 2015, he announced his fourth album, Stadium, envisioned as a five-part project covering five genres: Euro, Pop, Urban, Island, and World. He simultaneously released five singles from this project; however, none managed to chart. Later that year, he disclosed plans to offer Stadium in four versions—Stadium-Island, Stadium-Urban, Stadium-World, and Stadium-House—available exclusively through a mobile app supported by advertisements for streaming purposes. Ultimately, the album was postponed indefinitely.

Following a new contract with Atlantic Records, Akon released singles "Want Some," "Hypnotized," and "Good Girls Lie" between late 2015 and early 2016. In April 2016, he appeared on the Chinese reality competition show I Am a Singer. That same year, he featured on Joey Montana's remix of "Picky" as well as alongside Chris Brown on Gucci Mane's tribute track to Michael Jackson titled "Moonwalk."

Towards the end of 2017, Akon dropped the collaborative mixtape Konvict Kartel Vol. 2, featuring artists signed to his label. In 2018, he ventured into Latin music by teaming up with reggaeton artist Ozuna on the bilingual single "Coméntale", marking his debut performance in Spanish. Embracing the moniker "El Negreeto," Akon expressed ambitions to further explore collaborations within Latin urban genres.

2019–present: Musical resurgence, Akonik Label Group, El Negreeto, Akonda, and Konnect

Akon established his record company Akonik Label Group with intentions to release four studio albums spanning various musical styles. In May 2019, he introduced his first Latin single "Get Money," featuring Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA. Although this track was meant to serve as the lead single for his fourth album El Negreeto, it was ultimately excluded from the final tracklist. Initially slated for release on August 30, 2019, the album was postponed and eventually launched on October 4, 2019. On September 6, 2019, Akon released "Cómo No" featuring Mexican-American singer Becky G as the primary single from El Negreeto. Subsequently, he released the album Akonda on October 25, 2019. The sixth album titled Konnect was announced for December 2019 but never materialized.

In August 2023, a remix of Akon's classic "Locked Up" by Steve Aoki and Trinix was issued. Looking ahead to 2025, Akon collaborated with Canadian country musician Josh Ross on "Drunk Right Now (Na Na Na)", a reworked version of Akon's original "Right Now (Na Na Na)".

Philanthropic Initiatives

In 2014, Akon initiated Akon Lighting Africa, a program aimed at supplying electricity to 15 African nations. He also established the Konfidence Foundation, which focuses on aiding disadvantaged children throughout Africa.

Akon featured in Pitbull's music video for "I Believe That We Will Win (World Anthem)," with all proceeds directed to Feeding America and the Anthony Robbins Foundation to support COVID-19 relief efforts.

Akon City

In 2018, Akon collaborated with Senegal's government to create Akon City, envisioned as a tourism destination fueled by his cryptocurrency, Akoin. By January 2020, formal agreements were secured to advance the development.

In June 2020, KE International was awarded a $6 billion contract to execute Phase 1 of the project, which includes building essential infrastructure such as roads, a hospital, residential units, hotels, a police station, waste management facilities, a school, and a solar energy plant. Construction was planned for 2023 through 2026.

Nonetheless, the project's advancement has been notably slow. Although Akon announced the groundbreaking in September 2020, the location remains mostly undeveloped, prompting concerns among local stakeholders.

Legal disputes arose when Devyne Stephens filed a lawsuit in the United States against Akon, alleging nearly $4 million was borrowed for the venture and accusing Akon City and Akoin of fraudulent activities.

In August 2024, Sapco-Senegal, a state-owned development firm, issued a deadline requiring construction to commence or risk losing 90% of the land designated for Akon City.

Television and Film

On November 30, 2007, Akon appeared as a guest on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2. He also made an appearance on WWE Raw on November 17, 2008, where Santino Marella referenced him.

He worked alongside music directors Vishal–Shekhar on the bilingual song "Chammak Challo" for the Bollywood movie Ra.One released in 2011.

Akon’s acting debut came with the 2012 Nigerian-American film Black November. In 2014, he played a role in the action movie American Heist, directed by Sarik Andreasyan, starring alongside Hayden Christensen and Adrien Brody.

Personal Life

Akon is known to practice polygamy. In 2007, he revealed having five children with three different women and being married to one. By December 2022, his number of children had increased to nine. In 2023, one of his wives publicly confirmed that he maintains four spouses residing in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Africa.

He follows the Muslim faith and abstains from alcohol as a teetotaler.

Previously owning a diamond mine in South Africa, Akon initially denied the existence of blood diamonds, attributing such claims to media exaggeration. Subsequently, he acknowledged their reality and stated partial ownership of a mine committed to ethical standards and community welfare. In 2020, he exited the diamond industry due to its extreme difficulties, describing it as "worse than the drug business."

Akon is also an avid supporter of English Premier League club Chelsea F.C..

Discography

Studio albums

Trouble (2004)
Konvicted (2006)
Freedom (2008)
El Negreeto (2019)
Akonda (2019)

Filmography

Black November (2012)
American Heist (2014)
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

Tours

One-time concert in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania (2006)
Konvicted Tour (July to September 2007; additional shows in 2008)
The Sweet Escape Tour alongside Gwen Stefani (April through July 2007)
Good Girl Gone Bad Tour supporting Rihanna (Canadian segment, September to December 2008)
Konvict Muzik Tour with T-Pain (Australia, October 26–27, 2009)
Summer Tour (Brazil portion, January to February 2010)
OMG Tour featuring Usher (North American second leg, April to June 2011)

External links