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 | 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 simply as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. He is also a businessman and helps others through his charity work.
Akon became famous in 2004 with his song "Locked Up". This song was part of his first album, Trouble (2004). His next big hit was the R&B song "Lonely" in 2005.
His second album, Konvicted (2006), was also very successful. It was nominated for a Grammy Award. Songs like "I Wanna Love You" (with Snoop Dogg) and "Smack That" (with Eminem) were huge hits. These songs reached the top spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Akon was the first solo artist to have two songs in the top two spots at the same time, twice!
His third album, Freedom (2008), featured popular songs like "Right Now (Na Na Na)" and "Beautiful". Later, his albums El Negreeto (2019) and Akonda (2019) explored different music styles like reggaeton and Afrobeats.
Besides his own music, Akon has sung on many songs for other artists. He has also started his own record labels, Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution. Through these labels, he helped launch the careers of artists like Lady Gaga and T-Pain. Akon has also written and produced songs for famous artists like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
Akon is also known for his charity work. In 2014, he started Akon Lighting Africa, which brings electricity to many countries in Africa. He is also working on building his own city in Senegal, called Akon City. Forbes magazine has recognized Akon as one of the most powerful celebrities in Africa.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam was born on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. His family is Muslim. His mother, Kine Gueye Thiam, was a dancer. His father, Mor Thiam, was a percussionist from Senegal.
Akon spent a lot of his childhood in Senegal, which he calls his "hometown". He learned to play five instruments, including drums and guitar. When he was seven, his family moved to Union City, New Jersey. He spent his time between the U.S. and Senegal before settling in Newark. Akon went to William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City.
Discovering His Sound
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 led to a deal with Elektra Records. However, the song did not become popular in the U.S., and the record deal ended.
Later, music expert Devyne Stephens heard about Akon. Stephens signed Akon to his company and helped him develop his music. Akon's songs caught the attention of Universal's label, SRC Records. They were especially impressed by his song "Lonely".
Music Career Highlights
Trouble and Early Success
Akon's first solo album, Trouble, came out on June 29, 2004. It included popular songs like "Locked Up" and "Lonely". "Locked Up" reached number 8 in the U.S. and number 5 in the UK.
In 2005, his song "Lonely" became a huge hit. It used a sample from Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely". The song reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the charts in Australia, the UK, and Germany. His album Trouble also reached number one in the UK.
Akon also appeared on other artists' songs. He was featured on P-Money's "Keep on Callin'" and Savage's "Moonshine". In 2005, he was on Young Jeezy's song "Soul Survivor".
Konvicted and Global Fame
Akon started his new record label, KonLive Distribution, in 2006. His second album, Konvicted, was released in November 2006. It quickly sold over one million copies in the U.S. and was certified double platinum.
The album featured collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Styles P. The first single, "Smack That" (with Eminem), reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It was nominated for a Grammy Award.
"I Wanna Love You", featuring Snoop Dogg, became Akon's first number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100. In January 2007, "Don't Matter" became his first solo number-one hit.
In February 2007, Akon launched his clothing line, Konvict Clothing. It includes urban streetwear and a more upscale line called Aliaune.
He also produced and was featured on Gwen Stefani's song "The Sweet Escape", which reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Akon performed at the Live Earth concert in New York City. He also worked with Michael Jackson on a remix of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" for the 25th anniversary of Jackson's album Thriller.
Freedom and New Projects
Akon released his third album, Freedom, on December 2, 2008. It included hit singles like "Right Now (Na Na Na)" and "Beautiful". Freedom was certified platinum in the U.S.
Akon and his label, Konvict Muzik, helped produce music for other artists. He was also an executive producer for Kardinal Offishall's album Not 4 Sale. Akon also helped write Lady Gaga's hit song "Just Dance".
After Michael Jackson passed away, Akon released a tribute song called "Cry Out of Joy". He also finished a song called "Hold My Hand" for Jackson's album, Michael. This song was released as a single in November 2010.
Akon also worked with many other famous singers. He co-wrote songs for New Kids on the Block and Leona Lewis. He also worked with Whitney Houston on her album I Look to You. Akon collaborated with Pitbull and Matisyahu. He also produced "Oh Africa" for the 2010 World Cup with Pepsi.
Later Music and New Labels
In September 2010, Akon released the single "Angel". He also worked with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on the song "Kush". Akon also contributed to "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti", a charity song to help those affected by the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
After a break from solo music, Akon released "Dirty Work" in 2013, featuring Wiz Khalifa. In 2015, Akon announced his album Stadium would be released in five different versions, each for a different music style. However, the album was postponed.
In 2016, Akon released singles like "Want Some" and "Hypnotized". He also appeared on the Chinese TV show I Am a Singer. In 2018, he collaborated with reggaeton singer Ozuna on the song "Coméntale". This was his first time singing in Spanish in a Latin song.
In 2019, Akon announced his new record label, Akonik Label Group. He planned to release four albums in different genres. He released his first Latin single, "Get Money", with Anuel AA. His album El Negreeto was released in October 2019. He also released the album Akonda later that month.
Helping Others
Akon started a project called Akon Lighting Africa in 2014. This project provides electricity to 15 countries in Africa.
He also created his own charity, the Konfidence Foundation. This foundation helps children in Africa who are in need.
Akon was part of Pitbull's music video for "I Believe That We Will Win (World Anthem)". All the money from this song goes to charities like Feeding America to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Akon City Project
In 2018, Akon announced a big plan to build a city in Senegal. It would be a tourist city with its own digital money system called Akoin.
On January 13, 2020, Akon shared that the plans for the city were complete. He posted a photo with Senegal's president, Macky Sall. In June 2020, a company was hired to build the city. The first part of construction was planned to include roads, a hospital, homes, hotels, and a solar power plant.
However, the project has faced delays. Locals have expressed concerns about the lack of progress. In August 2024, the government of Senegal gave Akon an ultimatum: start building or lose most of the land for the project.
Television and Film Appearances
Akon has been involved in television and film projects. He confirmed a reality TV show called My Brother's Keeper. In the show, Akon's two brothers pretend to be him in Atlanta to see if they can get special treatment.
In 2006, it was announced that Akon was planning a movie about his life called Illegal Alien. He also appeared as a guest on Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2 in 2007.
Akon sang English and Hindi lyrics for the song "Chammak Challo" in the 2011 Bollywood film Ra.One.
He made his acting debut in the 2012 Nigerian-American film Black November. In 2014, he starred in the action movie American Heist.
Personal Life
Akon has nine children and four wives. He prefers to keep his family life private. Akon is a Muslim.
He once owned a diamond mine in South Africa. He has spoken about his efforts to ensure his mine avoided "blood diamonds" and that profits helped local communities. He later decided to step away from the diamond business.
Akon 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
