Akon

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Not to be confused with Acon or A-Kon.


Akon
A picture of Akon wearing a suit
Akon in July 2015
Born
Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam

(1973-04-16) April 16, 1973 (age 50)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Other names
  • A-Kon
  • El Negreeto
EducationWilliam L. Dickinson High School
Clark Atlanta University
Occupation
Years active1996–present
OrganizationAkon Lighting Africa
AgentJohnny Wright
Children6
Parent(s)Mor Thiam (father)[1][2]
Kine Gueye Thiam (née Gueye, mother)[1][2]
AwardsFull list
Musical career
OriginNewark, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Instruments
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteakon.com
Akon Logo.png

Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (/ˈeɪkɒn/; born April 16, 1973), also known mononymously as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur from New Jersey. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up" (featuring Styles P), the first single from his debut album Trouble (2004), followed by the second single "Lonely".

He later founded two successful record labels, Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution. The labels served as home for many successful acts, such as Lady Gaga, T-Pain, R. City, Kardinal Offishall, Jeffree Star and Red Café, among others. His second album, Konvicted (2006), received three Grammy Award nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Smack That" (featuring Eminem) and "I Wanna Love You" (featuring Snoop Dogg). Both singles became Billboard Hot 100 top ten hits, followed up by "Don't Matter" and "Sorry, Blame It on Me". His third studio album Freedom (2008) was led by the single "Right Now (Na Na Na)".

He is the first solo artist to hold both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.[3] Akon has had four songs certified as 3× platinum, three songs certified as 2× platinum, more than ten songs certified as 1× platinum and more than ten songs certified as gold in digital sales. Akon has sung songs in other languages including Hindi and Spanish. He was listed by Guinness World Records as the number-one selling artist for master ringtones in the world.

Akon often provides vocals as a featured artist and is currently credited with over 300 guest appearances and more than 35 Billboard Hot 100 songs, resulting in five Grammy Award nominations. He has released six solo albums and has handled the majority of production on his solo work and guest features. Alongside his recording career, Akon has a concurrent career in producing records mainly for artists on his respective labels, as well as for other mainstream acts such as Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Sean Paul, and Whitney Houston.

Forbes ranked Akon 80th (Power Rank) in the Forbes Celebrity 100 in 2010[4] and 5th in the 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa list, in 2011.[5] Billboard ranked Akon No. 6 on the list of Top Digital Songs Artists of the decade.[6]

Early life[edit]

Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam was born on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri, to a Muslim family.[7][8][9] His father Mor Thiam was born to a Toucouleur family of Quranic scholars in Kaolack, Senegal.[1][2] He spent a significant part of his childhood in Senegal, which he described as his "hometown". A child of a dancer mother—Kine Gueye Thiam (née Gueye), and a percussionist father, Mor Thiam,[1][2] Akon learned to play five instruments, including drums, guitar and djembe.[10] At age seven, he moved with his family to Union City, New Jersey,[11][12] splitting his time between the United States and Senegal until settling in Newark, New Jersey.[10] Growing up in New Jersey, Akon had difficulties getting along with other children. When he and his older brother reached high school, his parents left them on their own in Jersey City and moved the rest of the family to Atlanta, Georgia.[13] Akon attended William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City.[14]

Music career[edit]

2003–05: Discovery and Trouble[edit]

Music mogul Devyne Stephens, the president of Upfront Megatainment, first heard about Akon when rapper Lil Zane brought him along to Stephens' rehearsal hall, a place that at the time saw talents such as Usher and TLC being developed. The relationship between Stephens and Akon began as a friendship and mentorship, with the young artist regularly stopping by to ask for advice, with Stephens eventually signing him to his production company and began grooming him professionally.[15] The songs Akon recorded with Stephens were brought to the attention of Universal's imprint SRC Records.[15] In an interview with HitQuarters SRC A&R Jerome "Knobody" Foster said, "What caught my attention right away was "Lonely", and I said, 'this kid is official – this is a huge record."[15] Foster and SRC CEO Steve Rifkind immediately boarded a private plane to Atlanta to meet the young artist.[15] Akon knew of Foster's work as producer Knobody and so there was a mutual respect for one another and the pair hit it off.[15]

Akon's solo debut album, Trouble, was released on June 29, 2004. It spawned the singles "Locked Up", "Lonely", "Belly Dancer (Bananza)", "Pot of Gold" and "Ghetto". "Locked Up" reached the number 8 position in the U.S. and number 5 in the UK. "Ghetto" became a radio hit when it was remixed by DJ Green Lantern to include verses from rappers 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. The album is a hybrid of Akon's silky, West African-styled vocals mixed with East Coast and Southern beats. Most of Akon's songs begin with the sound of the clank of a jail cell's door with him uttering the word "Konvict".[16]

In 2005, he released the single "Lonely" (which samples Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely"). The song reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the charts in Australia, the UK and Germany. His album also climbed to number one in the UK in April 2005. When music channel The Box had a top ten weekly chart, which was calculated by the number of video requests, Akon's "Lonely" became the longest-running single on the top of the chart, spanning over fifteen weeks. Akon was then featured on two other singles, P-Money's "Keep on Callin'" off the album Magic City, and the other with New Zealand rapper Savage with the single "Moonshine", which had become a success in both New Zealand and Australia, reaching number one in the New Zealand charts. A year later in 2005, he made his first critically acclaimed guest appearance on Young Jeezy's debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, with the song "Soul Survivor". In December the same year, his manager Robert Montanez was killed in a shooting after a dispute in New Jersey.

In 2006, Akon and Young Jeezy suggested plans for a collaborative album.[17][18]

2006–08: Konvicted[edit]

Akon performing at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte, 2007

Akon started his new record label KonLive Distribution under Interscope Records. His second album, Konvicted, was released in November 2006 and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 286,000 copies in its first week. After only six weeks, Konvicted sold more than one million records in the U.S. The album was certified platinum after seven weeks, and after sixteen weeks it was certified double platinum. It stayed in the top twenty of the Billboard 200 for 28 consecutive weeks and peaked at number two on four occasions. On November 20, 2007, the RIAA certified the album 'triple platinum' with 3 million units sold in the US.

The album included collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Styles P. The first single "Smack That" (featuring Eminem) was released in August 2006 and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks. On October 5, 2006, Akon broke a record on the Hot 100, as he achieved the largest climb in the chart's 48-year-history with "Smack That" jumping from number 95 to 7. The leap was fueled by its number six debut on Hot Digital Songs with 67,000 downloads. The record has since been broken several times. "Smack That" was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, but lost to Justin Timberlake and T.I.'s "My Love".[19]

"I Wanna Love You", featuring Snoop Dogg, was the second single released in September, it would go on to earn Akon his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and Snoop's second. "I Wanna Love You" topped the U.S. charts for two consecutive weeks. In January 2007, a third single "Don't Matter" which earned him his first solo number one and second consecutive Hot 100 chart-topper was released. "Mama Africa" was released as a European single in July 2007, making it the fourth overall single from the album. To coincide with the release of the deluxe edition of the album "Sorry, Blame It on Me" debuted in August 2007 on the Hot 100 at number seven.

In February 2007, Akon launched his clothing line Konvict Clothing. It features urban streetwear including denim jeans, hoodies, T-shirts and hats. Aliaune is the upscale version, or high-end line, for males and females, which includes blazers, denim jeans and other items.[20]

Akon performing with Gwen Stefani on The Sweet Escape Tour

He produced and featured on Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape" which has reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Akon performed at the American leg of Live Earth. He later recorded a remix of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by Michael Jackson for the 25th-anniversary rerelease of Jackson's Thriller. He also worked with bachata group Aventura and Reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel on All Up 2 You. The song received two nominations at the Premios Lo Nuestro 2010 for "Urban Song of the Year" and "Video Collaboration of the Year". He signed Jayko, a Hispanic R&B and Reggaeton artist, to his label.

2008–09: Freedom[edit]

Akon released his third album Freedom on December 2, 2008, which spawned four singles: "Right Now (Na Na Na)", "I'm So Paid" (featuring Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy), "Beautiful" (featuring Colby O'Donis and Kardinal Offishall) and "We Don't Care". Freedom was certified platinum in the US. Rap singer Nelly suggested that Akon, Pharrell, and T-Pain had talked about forming a rap supergroup in 2009.[21] Akon and Konvict Muzik produced hip hop/rock group Flipsyde's 2009 release, State of Survival, released via KonLive Distribution and Cherrytree Records.[22] He was also the executive producer of Kardinal Offishall's fourth solo album Not 4 Sale. The first single "Dangerous", which featured Akon peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. He co-wrote Kon Live artist Lady Gaga's hit "Just Dance", and which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

After the unexpected death of Michael Jackson, who Akon was working with, Akon released a tribute song called "Cry Out of Joy". Akon claimed to be close friends with Jackson near the end of Jackson's life in an interview with UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning 'Blues & Soul' in October 2008.[23] In July 2008, a song called "Hold My Hand", an R&B duet/collaboration between Michael Jackson and Akon, circulated the internet. It was not included in the tracklist for Freedom as Akon previously stated. During an interview with Tavis Smiley, Akon said that Jackson had planned on a high-profile release including a music video until the track had leaked. This is Jackson's last known song before he died on June 25, 2009. Akon finished work on the song for Jackson's posthumous album, Michael, and it was released as a single in November 2010.

Akon co-wrote and recorded "Put It on My Tab" with New Kids on the Block for their 2008 reunion album The Block.[24] He also co-wrote and produced Leona Lewis' single "Forgive Me" and worked with X Factor 2008 winner Alexandra Burke on her debut album. He later worked with Whitney Houston for her 2009 comeback album I Look to You, appearing on the track "Like I Never Left".[25] Akon collaborated with Pitbull on the single "Shut It Down" from the album "Rebelution" and worked with Matisyahu to remix his single "One Day" on his album Light.[26] He also co-produced singer Natalia Kills' debut single, "Mirrors", from her debut album, Perfectionist. IsThereSomethingICanDo.com, launched On March 25, 2009, The social action collaboration project between the artists Peter Buffett and Akon has partnered with DoSomething.org, to coincide with the release of "Blood Into Gold". The song focused on human trafficking and featured both artists.[27]

David Guetta collaborated with Akon in "Sexy Bitch", the first house track by Akon. The song reached number 1 in more than six countries and charted at 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. He produced and recorded "Oh Africa" for the 2010 World Cup with Pepsi.

According to Forbes, Akon grossed $13 million in 2011, $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008.

2010–18: Stadium and hiatus[edit]

A single, "Angel", produced by Guetta, was released in September 2010, which peaked at number 56 on the US Billboard charts, significantly lower than his previous outings.[28] Akon performed the song during the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.[29] Akon travelled to Jamaica to work with Damian, Julian and Stephen Marley.[30] Around the same time, Akon collaborated with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on "Kush", charting on number 36 on the Billboard charts. The single was first intended to from Dr. Dre's forthcoming album Detox; however, it was removed from the final album track list, with the album eventually being unreleased. He also contributed "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti", a charity single in aid of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. After an almost three-year hiatus from solo work, Akon released the promotional single "Dirty Work", featuring Wiz Khalifa, which was released in February 2013, peaking at number 31 on the Rhythmic Billboard charts.[31]

Later that year, on November 11, 2013, Akon released a standalone single titled "So Blue".[32]

On January 1, 2015, Akon released five singles from Stadium. He also announced that the album would be a quintuple album, broken up into five genres (Euro, Pop, Urban, Island & World).[33] All singles failed to chart.

In November 2015, Akon announced via his official website that he was planning to release his fourth album Stadium in four versions: Stadium-Island, Stadium-Urban, Stadium-World and Stadium-House.[34] These editions of the album will be available exclusively via the Stadium mobile app which is supported by ads but allows fans to stream the albums.[35] The album was indefinitely postponed, and might get released in the near future.[36]

In late 2015 and early 2016, Akon released the singles "Want Some", "Hypnotized" and "Good Girls Lie", upon striking a new record deal with Atlantic Records.[37] In April 2016, Akon appeared in the Chinese reality TV show I Am a Singer along with the Taiwanese singer Jeff Chang.[38] Later that year, he was featured on the remix of Joey Montana's single "Picky", and featured alongside Chris Brown on Gucci Mane's Michael Jackson tribute single "Moonwalk".

In late 2017, he released a collaborative mixtape with Konvict signees entitled Konvict Kartel Vol. 2.[39] In 2018, he collaborated with reggaeton singer Ozuna on the bilingual single "Coméntale", the first time that Akon sang in Spanish in a Latin song. At the time, he stated he had adopted the nickname "El Negreeto" and would be pursuing collaborations with other Spanish-language artists.[40]

2019–present: Return to music, Akonik Label Group, El Negreeto, Akonda and Konnect[edit]

Akon has announced his new record label Akonik Label Group and will release four studio albums in different genres. In May 2019, Akon released his first Latin single "Get Money", featuring Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA.[41][42] It was intended to be the lead single for his fourth album El Negreeto but didn't appear on the final version of the album. The album was expected to be released on August 30, 2019, but was pushed back and released on October 4, 2019. On September 6, 2019, Akon released "Cómo No" featuring Mexican-American singer Becky G, as the lead single from El Negreeto.[43] After that album, Akonda was released on October 25, 2019, serving as his fifth album and contain Afrobeats music.[44] The album's singles are "Low Key" and "Wakonda". Furthermore, Konnect will be released sometime in 2020,[45] which will serve as his sixth album and will contain Hip hop and R&B music like his previous albums.[46] The album's singles are "Benjamin" and "Can't Say No". He also announced that he had plans in 2021, to release a follow up album to Konnect, titled The Konnection, when asked about The Konnection in a 2020 interview, he said he could not spoil too much about it, but did say the album will contain elements of psychedelic rock, samba rock, pop, synth-pop, country rap, and R&B music unlike his previous albums.

Philanthropy[edit]

Main article: Akon Lighting Africa

Akon also started a project Akon Lighting Africa in 2014 which provides electricity in 15 countries of Africa.[47][48][49]

He also launched his own charity for underprivileged children in Africa called Konfidence Foundation.

Akon was included as a guest appearance in Pitbull's "I Believe That We Will Win (World Anthem)" official music video, in which all proceeds from the song's sales, streaming and views are being donated to Feeding America and the Anthony Robbins Foundation as relief to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[50]

Property development[edit]

Main article: Akon City, Senegal
Akon City
French: Ville d'Akon
Planned City
Motto: 
TBC
Country Senegal
RegionThiès Region
DepartmentM'bour Department
AnnouncementJune 26, 2018
Approval by the Senegalese governmentJanuary 13, 2020
Establishment2023 (planned first phrase)
Founded byAkon (creatively)
Senegalese government (fiscally)
Government
 • TypeTBC
 • TBCTBC
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT)
WebsiteAkon City official website

In 2018, Akon announced he was working with the Senegalese government to build a tourist-city with a cryptocurrency-based economy named Akon City. At the time, it was said that three square miles of land minutes from the Blaise Diagne International Airport and around 50 kilometres from the capital of Dakar was given to Akon by Senegal president Macky Sall. It is said to be currently under development and will be the first 100% crypto-based city with Akon's own cryptocurrency, Akoin, at the transactional center.[51]

On January 13, 2020, Akon shared on Twitter that the agreements for the city have been finalized and the project is underway. He captioned a photo of himself with Senegal president Macky Sall "Looking forward to hosting you there in the future."[52]

In June 2020, it was announced that the engineering and consulting firm KE International (the same firm responsible for building Mwale Medical and Technology City) had been awarded a $6 billion contract to build the city.[53] Phase 1 of construction, which is to be completed in 2023, is to include roads, a hospital, residences, hotels, a police station, a waste facility, a school, and a solar power plant.[53]

On September 1, Akon laid the first stone of the $6 billion city. Speaking four days after the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who starred in the film Black Panther, Akon stated that he was partially inspired by the film in his desire to teach African-Americans in the diaspora about African culture. He further stated: "As you come in from America, or Europe or anywhere in the diaspora, and you feel like you want to visit Africa, we want Senegal to be your first stop".[54]

Television and film[edit]

Akon has confirmed that a reality television show is in the works. It will be called My Brother's Keeper, and the point is that Akon's two nearly identical brothers will go around in Atlanta posing as him fooling people into thinking that it is in fact, Akon. They will try to get VIP treatment and freebies. Akon has claimed that people have mistaken his brothers for him many times in Atlanta, which is what the show is based on.[55]

In 2006, it was announced that Akon is planning to work on a full-length movie titled Illegal Alien, which will be based on his life.[56] Several sources have reported that actor Mekhi Phifer will portray Akon in the film.[57]

Akon confirmed in an August 2007 interview with the Polish website INTERIA.PL that he worked on a movie called "Cocaine Cowboys", which tells the story of Jon Roberts, the main pilot of the Medellín Cartel.[58]

On November 30, 2007, Akon entered the Big Brother house in Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2 as a guest. He also appeared on the edition of November 17, 2008, of WWE Raw, with Santino Marella citing him in his speech.

He collaborated with music director duo Vishal & Shekhar and the English and Hindi lyrics of "Chammak Challo" as a part of the soundtrack for the 2011 Bollywood film Ra.One.[59]

Akon made his acting debut appearing alongside an ensemble cast in the 2012 Nigerian-American film Black November. In 2014, he starred alongside Hayden Christensen and Adrien Brody in the action movie, American Heist,[60] directed by Sarik Andreasyan.

Personal life[edit]

Akon claims that he has six children with three women in an interview with Blender,[61] all of whom he has great relationships with. He says he wishes to keep his family protected from the public eye.[62]

Akon owns a diamond mine in South Africa and denies the existence of blood diamonds (also known as "conflict diamonds") saying, "I don't believe in conflict diamonds. That's just a movie. Think about it. Nobody thought or cared about conflict diamonds until Blood Diamond was released."[63] However, he has since stated that he does accept that blood diamonds exist and that he is partial-owner of an African mine that is dedicated to avoiding the use of blood diamonds while also donating profits to local communities.[64]

Akon appeared on the ITV2 show The Hot Desk. He stated on the show that he is a fan of the English Premier League club Chelsea F.C.

Legal issues[edit]

Akon has stated that he was part of an auto-theft ring and spent four years in prison from 1999 to 2002. However, in April 2008, The Smoking Gun website challenged his claim with court records and interviews with detectives involved in Akon's case, concluding that he was not convicted of any crime and did not serve time in prison.[65][66][67] Akon responded to the report by saying that he never spent 3 years in prison, but had many shorter sentences that add up to three years.[68]

In April 2007, Akon drew criticism for an onstage act which included simulated sex with Danah Alleyne — a 15-year-old girl at the time who is the daughter of a pastor and sister of Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne — at the Zen Nightclub in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago as part of a fake contest, despite the club's claim to have a 21 years and over age requirement.[69][70] The incident was filmed by Akon's crew and later uploaded to the Internet. On April 20, 2007, local media, channel CCN TV6, aired the video clip publicly. Amid criticism on the radio, television, and from the blogosphere, Verizon Wireless removed ringtones featuring Akon's songs. Verizon also decided not to sponsor The Sweet Escape Tour where Akon was to be the opening act for Gwen Stefani.[71] However, Universal Music Group did not take action against Akon, but rather simply ordered the video clip be removed from video-sharing site YouTube due to copyright infringement. Conservative commentator and Parents Television Council founder Brent Bozell called this "corporate irresponsibility".[72]

Right wing political commentators Michelle Malkin, Laura Ingraham, and Bill O'Reilly criticized Akon for "degrading women".[73][74] Malkin uploaded commentary about Akon to YouTube, using footage from music videos and the Trinidad concert, and Universal Music Group then forced its removal by issuing a DMCA takedown notice.[75] The Electronic Frontier Foundation joined Malkin in contesting the removal as a misuse of copyright law, citing fair use.[76] In May 2007, UMG rescinded its claim to the video, and the video returned to YouTube.

On June 3, 2007, at WSPK's KFEST concert at the Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, New York, a concert attendee threw an object towards Akon on stage. Akon asked the crowd to identify who threw the object and that he be brought on stage. Security staff grabbed the teen and took him up to the stage. Akon then pulled him up from the crowd and hoisted him across his shoulders. The singer then tossed the attendee back into the crowd from his shoulders. Video of the incident was reviewed by Fishkill police.[77][dead link] Akon has claimed that the incident was staged and that he in fact used the act to set up for the next record.[55][dead link][better source needed] Charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, a misdemeanor, and second-degree harassment, a violation, were filed, according to police Chief Donald F. Williams, and Akon was arraigned on the two charges on December 3, 2007, in the town of Fishkill Court.[78][dead link]

In 2010, Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka vehemently protested a planned concert by Akon, claiming his music video with Guetta for "Sexy Chick" insulted Buddhism because of the Buddha statue that can be seen several times in the background. Considering the allegations against Akon, the Sri Lankan Government decided not to issue him a visa to enter into Sri Lanka.[79]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Akon

Discography[edit]

Akon's general marketing logo, used from 2003 to 2007
Akon's general marketing logo, used since 2008
Main articles: Akon discography and Akon production discography

Filmography[edit]

Tours[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn; Fonseca, Anthony J.; Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia [2 volumes], ABC-CLIO (2018), p. 300, ISBN 9780313357596. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Léo Pajon, "Dix choses à savoir sur Akon, artiste multi-casquette", Jeune Afrique, July 3, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  3. ↑ Bronson, Fred. "Chart Beat Archived September 19, 2014, at the Wayback Machine", Billboard Magazine, April 5, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Akon". Forbes. April 18, 2012. Archived from the original on April 17, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Forbes releases "40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa" list | Channel O TV Online". Channelo.dstv.com. October 17, 2011. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Billboard – Music Charts, Music News, Artist Photo Gallery & Free Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Akon – Music Producer, Songwriter, Singer – Biography.com". Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Muslim celebrities". Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  9. ↑ "12 Black Celebrities Whose Real Names Will Surprise You". May 9, 2014. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bottomley, C. "Akon: Trouble No More Archived October 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine". VH1.com. May 2, 2005.
  11. ↑ "Deep Grooves" Archived January 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Billboard magazine. November 4, 2006. Page 36. Retrieved at Google Books, November 3, 2011.
  12. ↑ Kuperinksy, Amy (January 15, 2020). "Akon went from Union City to building his own city, Akon City, in Senegal". NJ.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  13. ↑ Jones, Steve (October 4, 2004). "Akon, not 'Trouble,' is his middle name". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 11, 2007. Retrieved June 12, 2007. Akon (real name: Allaune Thiam) is the son of acclaimed Senegalese percussionist Mor Thiam, who came to the USA to tour with dancers Katherine Dunham and Alvin Ailey. Growing up, Akon had a hard time getting along with kids in New Jersey. When he and his older brother reached high school, his parents left them on their own in Jersey City and moved the family to Atlanta
  14. ↑ Lin, Jonathan. "Akon stops by his Jersey City home away from home" Archived July 1, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, The Jersey Journal, November 17, 2013. Accessed July 1, 2019. "Akon said Costa helped keep him out of trouble during his rougher days in Jersey City, when he attended Dickinson High School on Palisade Avenue."
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 "Interview With Knobody". HitQuarters. September 27, 2005. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  16. ↑ Loftus, Johnny (2006). "Akon — Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
  17. ↑ Reid, Shaheem. Saga Of Young Jeezy, Akon Continues With Possible Duet LP Archived January 9, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, MTV News, June 15, 2006.
  18. ↑ Petipas, Jolene. Young Jeezy Teams With Akon For Collabo CD Archived January 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, SOHH, December 7, 2006.
  19. ↑ "Akon's "Smack That" receives Grammy nomination". Republic Records. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  20. ↑ Winning, Brolin. "Akon – Got It Locked", MP3.com, October 23, 2006. Archived July 22, 2007[Date mismatch], at WebCite
  21. ↑ Goldstein, Melissa (October 23, 2008). "Pharrell, T-Pain, Nelly, Akon Unite for Supergroup". Spin. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Flipsyde's Official MySpace". Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Akon interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' December 2008". Bluesandsoul.com. December 1, 2008. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
  24. ↑ "New Kids On The Block". Nkotb.com. August 1, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  25. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (July 28, 2008). "Whitney & AKon Collab". MTV. Archived from the original on July 22, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
  26. ↑ Ashley Iasimone (January 15, 2010). "Matisyahu, 'One Day' (Remix) Feat. Akon – New Song". Spinner. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Is There Something I Can Do?". March 25, 2009. Archived from the original on February 3, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 22, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  29. ↑ "Fashion Show Scoop: Akon". victoriassecret.com. October 22, 2010. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  30. ↑ "Akon in Jamaica hanging with the Marley brothers - Damien Marley". Zimbio. January 24, 2012. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Rhythmic Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  32. ↑ "iTunes - Music - So Blue - Single by Akon". iTunes. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Akon Announces New Quintuple Album 'Stadium'; Releases Five Songs - Fashionably-Early". Fashionably-Early. January 2, 2015. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  34. ↑ "STADIUM". October 30, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  36. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  37. ↑ "Akon Signs With Atlantic Records; Drops New Single 'Want Some' – Fashionably Early". Fashionably Early. December 11, 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  38. ↑ "我是歌手4张信哲帮帮唱嘉宾AKon阿肯个人资料". Archived from the original on April 10, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Konvict Kartel Vol. 2 Mixtape by Akon". DatPiff. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  40. ↑ Roiz, Jessica (September 27, 2018). "Akon Opens Up About His Comeback, Ozuna Collab and Special Connection With Latin Urban Music". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Premiere: Akon a.k.a. El Negreeto and Anuel AA Flex in "Get Money" Video". Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  42. ↑ "GET MONEY - Single by Akon & Anuel AA". Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  43. ↑ Alston, Trey. "Akon Breaks Down His Journey Into Reggaeton With Becky G And New Album El Negreeto". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  44. ↑ Magett, Sonya. "East Coast, West Coast, Worldwide: Akon's Business Ventures Are Legend, but His New Music Enterprise Is One of His Most Boundary Breaking Yet". The Grapevine. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "Things you didn't know about the African artist Akon". Chillout Radio. April 8, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  46. ↑ Diallo, Aziz Malick (November 27, 2019). "Akon assure qu'un collaboration est à venir avec Booba et... Gims" [Akon says a collaboration is coming up with Booba and... Gims]. Afrik (in français). Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  47. ↑ Insight, News (June 2, 2015). "Akon unveils new solar campaign for Africa". Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  48. ↑ "Akon lights Africa for better future". enca. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Musician Akon works to light up Africa". CNN. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Pitbull - I Believe That We Will Win". YouTube. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  51. ↑ Mary Meisenzahl (January 15, 2020). "Singer Akon has finalized plans to build a 2,000-acre city in Senegal that's powered by his cryptocurrency, Akoin". Business Insider. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  52. ↑ "Just finalized the agreement for AKON CITY in Senegal. Looking forward to hosting you there in the future". January 13, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "KE International awarded US $6 Billion construction contract for Akon City, Senegal". Cision PRWEB. June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  54. ↑ Okogba, Emmanuel (September 2, 2020). "Senegal: Singer Akon Plans $6bn City in Senegal Homeland". allAfrica.com. Vanguard. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Sawjani, Archna. Akon: Real Talk Archived July 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, AllHipHop.com, August 6, 2007.
  56. ↑ "TLC's Chilli Inks With Akon's Konvict Muzik". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  57. ↑ "Akon To Turn His Life Into A Movie". ContactMusic. October 10, 2006. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Akon intensywnie", INTERIA.PL, August 28, 2007.
  59. ↑ "Hip-hop meets Bollywood". Hollywood Reporter. April 16, 2010. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  60. ↑ Jack E Kent (January 15, 2015). "American Heist (2014)". IMDb. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  61. ↑ Who Does Akon Think He Is? Blender, September 19, 2007. Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  62. ↑ "Founders". Konfidence Foundation. Archived from the original on September 12, 2007.
  63. ↑ Egere-Cooper, Matilda. Akon: So what if I own a diamond mine? Archived August 17, 2017, at the Wayback Machine.Independent, February 16, 2007.
  64. ↑ "Akon Interview with Howard Stern part 4 of 4". Archived from the original on December 2, 2015. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  65. ↑ Sisario, Ben (April 17, 2008). "Akon's Rap Sheet Is Revealed". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  66. ↑ "Report: Akon Embellished Criminal History". Fox News. April 17, 2008. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  67. ↑ Akon's Con Job Archived September 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, The Smoking Gun, April 16, 2008.
  68. ↑ Harris, Chris (May 16, 2008). "Akon Responds To Smoking Gun Report That He Fabricated His Criminal Past: 'It Only Helps Me'". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 20, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  69. ↑ Telesford, Nigel. Akon 'cons' Trinidad Archived May 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Trinidad Express, April 14, 2007.
  70. ↑ Ramnarine, Kristy. Zen owner: for club Archived July 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Trinidad Express, April 20, 2007.
  71. ↑ Leeds, Jeff. Verizon Drops Pop Singer From Ads Archived February 2, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, New York Times, May 10, 2007.
  72. ↑ Bozell, L. Brent III. Rapper Not a "Perfect Gentleman" Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, ParentsTV.org, May 24, 2007.
  73. ↑ Malkin, Michelle. Look who's promoting a vulgar misogynist Archived November 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, MichelleMalkin.com, May 3, 2007.
  74. ↑ Pulse Report Archived September 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, SOHH.com, May 11, 2007.
  75. ↑ Malkin, Michelle. "Akon's record company abuses DMCA to stifle criticism on YouTube" Archived May 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, MichelleMalkin.com, May 3, 2007.
  76. ↑ "Malkin Fights Back Against Copyright Law Misuse by Universal Music Group" Archived July 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Electronic Frontier Foundation, May 9, 2007.
  77. ↑ Police: Akon investigation continues Archived January 16, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Poughkeepsie Journal, August 29, 2007.
  78. ↑ Akon Faces Charges, Poughkeepsie Journal, November 30, 2007.
  79. ↑ No Visa to Akon Archived July 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Ada Derana News
  80. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  81. ↑ Akon comes to region. All Africa Newswire, May 23, 2006.

External links[edit]

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