Akon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Akon
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Akon in 2019
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Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam
April 16, 1973 |
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| Years active | 1996–present |
| Organization | Akon Lighting Africa |
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| Children | 9 |
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| Awards | Full list |
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| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
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Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973), known as Akon, is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and businessman from Senegal and the United States. He is also a record producer and helps others through charity work. Akon became famous in 2004 with his song "Locked Up".
His first album, Trouble (2004), was a big success. It included the popular R&B song "Lonely". His second album, Konvicted (2006), continued his success. It was nominated for a Grammy Award. Songs like "I Wanna Love You" (with Snoop Dogg) and "Smack That" (with Eminem) were big hits.
Akon made history by having two songs in the top two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart twice. This happened with "Don't Matter" and his song with Gwen Stefani, "The Sweet Escape". His third album, Freedom (2008), featured the hit "Right Now (Na Na Na)". He later released El Negreeto (2019), which explored Latin music, and Akonda (2019), which featured Afrobeats.
Besides his own music, Akon has appeared on many songs for other artists. He also started two record labels, Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution. Through these labels, he helped artists like Lady Gaga and T-Pain become famous. Akon has also produced and written songs for many well-known artists, including Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
Akon is also known for his charity work. In 2014, he started Akon Lighting Africa, a project that brings electricity to many African countries. He also began building his own city in Senegal, called Akon City. Forbes magazine recognized Akon as one of the most powerful celebrities in Africa.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam was born on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri. His mother, Kine Gueye Thiam, was a dancer, and his father, Mor Thiam, was a percussionist. Akon spent much of his childhood in Senegal, which he considers his "hometown."
He learned to play five instruments, including drums, guitar, and djembe. When he was seven, his family moved to Union City, New Jersey. He split his time between the United States and Senegal before settling in Newark. Akon faced some challenges in his youth.
While in high school, Akon was part of the Refugee Camp, a music group connected to the Fugees. In 1996, he recorded a song called "Operations of Nature." This song led to a record deal, but it did not become a hit. Akon felt discouraged after this experience.
Akon's Discovery and First Album
Music executive Devyne Stephens heard about Akon through rapper Lil Zane. Stephens became Akon's friend and mentor. Akon would often visit Stephens for advice. Eventually, Stephens signed Akon to his production company.
The songs Akon recorded with Stephens caught the attention of Universal's label, SRC Records. Jerome "Knobody" Foster, an A&R at SRC, was impressed by Akon's song "Lonely." Foster and SRC CEO Steve Rifkind quickly traveled to Atlanta to meet Akon.
Akon's first album, Trouble, was released on June 29, 2004. It included popular songs like "Locked Up" and "Lonely". "Locked Up" reached number 8 in the US and number 5 in the UK. Many of Akon's songs start with the sound of a jail cell door closing and him saying "Konvict."
In 2005, his song "Lonely" became a huge hit. It reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 and was number one in Australia, the UK, and Germany. His album also reached number one in the UK in April 2005. Akon also worked with other artists, like Savage on the song "Moonshine."
Music Success and Konvicted
Akon started his own record label, KonLive Distribution, under Interscope Records. His second album, Konvicted, came out in November 2006. It sold 286,000 copies in its first week and reached number two on the Billboard 200. Within seven weeks, Konvicted was certified platinum, meaning it sold over one million copies in the US.
The album featured collaborations with famous artists like Eminem and Snoop Dogg. The first song, "Smack That" (with Eminem), was released in August 2006. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. "Smack That" was nominated for a Grammy Award.
"I Wanna Love You" (with Snoop Dogg) was the second song from the album. It became Akon's first number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100. In January 2007, "Don't Matter" was released. This song became his first solo number-one hit.
In February 2007, Akon launched his clothing line called Konvict Clothing. It includes urban streetwear like jeans, hoodies, and T-shirts. He also has an upscale line called Aliaune for both men and women.
Akon produced and was featured on Gwen Stefani's song "The Sweet Escape." This song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also worked on a remix of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by Michael Jackson for the 25th-anniversary release of Jackson's Thriller album.
Freedom and Other Projects
Akon released his third album, Freedom, on December 2, 2008. This album included four popular songs: "Right Now (Na Na Na)", "I'm So Paid" (with Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy), "Beautiful" (with Colby O'Donis and Kardinal Offishall), and "We Don't Care". Freedom was certified platinum in the US.
Akon and his label, Konvict Muzik, produced the hip-hop/rock group Flipsyde's album State of Survival in 2009. He also helped produce Kardinal Offishall's album Not 4 Sale. Akon co-wrote Lady Gaga's hit song "Just Dance", which was nominated for a Grammy Award.
After Michael Jackson passed away, Akon released a tribute song called "Cry Out of Joy." Akon had been working with Jackson and said they were close friends. A song called "Hold My Hand", a duet between Michael Jackson and Akon, was released as a single in November 2010. Akon finished the song for Jackson's album, Michael.
Akon also worked with other famous artists. He co-wrote "Put It on My Tab" with New Kids on the Block. He also co-wrote and produced Leona Lewis's song "Forgive Me". Akon collaborated with Whitney Houston on her album I Look to You and with Pitbull on the song "Shut It Down".
..... This song reached number 1 in many countries. Akon also produced and recorded "Oh Africa" for the 2010 World Cup.
Recent Music and New Labels
Akon released the song "Angel" in September 2010. He performed this song at the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Akon also worked with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on the song "Kush". He contributed to "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti", a charity song to help those affected by the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
In November 2013, Akon released a song called "So Blue". In January 2015, Akon released five songs from his album Stadium. He announced that the album would have five different genres: Euro, Pop, Urban, Island, and World. These songs were available through a special mobile app.
In late 2015 and early 2016, Akon released new songs like "Want Some" and "Hypnotized" after signing a new deal with Atlantic Records. In 2016, he appeared on the Chinese TV show I Am a Singer. He also worked with Joey Montana on a remix of "Picky" and with Gucci Mane and Chris Brown on "Moonwalk."
In late 2017, Akon released a mixtape with artists from his Konvict label called Konvict Kartel Vol. 2. In 2018, he collaborated with reggaeton singer Ozuna on the song "Coméntale". This was Akon's first time singing in Spanish in a Latin song.
In May 2019, Akon released his first Latin song, "Get Money," featuring Anuel AA. His fourth album, El Negreeto, was released on October 4, 2019. He also released the album Akonda on October 25, 2019.
A remix of "Locked Up" by Steve Aoki, Trinix, and Akon was released in August 2023. .....
Philanthropy and Akon City
Akon Lighting Africa
Akon is very active in charity work. In 2014, he started a project called Akon Lighting Africa. This project provides electricity to homes and communities in 15 countries across Africa. It helps people get access to power for lights, charging phones, and other needs.
He also created his own charity called Konfidence Foundation. This foundation helps children in Africa who are in need. Akon was also part of Pitbull's charity song "I Believe That We Will Win (World Anthem)." All the money from this song went to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Akon City Development
In 2018, Akon announced an exciting project: building a new city in Senegal. This city is called Akon City. It is planned to be a tourist city with its own digital currency, Akoin, for transactions.
On January 13, 2020, Akon shared that the plans for the city were complete. He posted a photo with Senegal's president, Macky Sall, saying he looked forward to hosting people there. In June 2020, a company called KE International was chosen to build the city.
The first part of construction was planned to include roads, a hospital, homes, hotels, a police station, a waste facility, a school, and a solar power plant. Akon laid the first stone for the city on September 1, 2020. However, as of July 2025, construction has not fully begun, and local people are concerned about the lack of progress.
Television and Film Appearances
Akon has also appeared on television and in movies. On November 30, 2007, he was a guest in the Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2 house. He also appeared on WWE Raw in November 2008.
He worked with music directors Vishal–Shekhar on the song "Chammak Challo" for the 2011 Bollywood film Ra.One. Akon made his acting debut in the 2012 film Black November. In 2014, he starred in the action movie American Heist with Hayden Christensen and Adrien Brody. He also appeared in the 2016 film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.
Personal Life
Akon has nine children. ..... Akon has spoken about his involvement in an African mine. He stated that this mine works to avoid using "conflict diamonds" and gives profits to local communities. He also shared that he is a fan of the English football club Chelsea F.C..
Awards and Nominations
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
- Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania One-off Concert (2006)
- Konvicted Tour (2007–2008)
- The Sweet Escape Tour with Gwen Stefani (2007)
- Good Girl Gone Bad Tour with Rihanna (Canadian-leg only, 2008)
- Konvict Muzik Tour with T-Pain (Australia only, 2009)
- Summer Tour (Brazil-leg only, 2010)
- OMG Tour with Usher (North America Second Leg, 2011)
See also
In Spanish: Akon para niños
- List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones
- List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
- List of artists who have had number-one singles on the UK Official Download Chart
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
