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Akon

Akon Biography


Akon

Profile>>Akon

Full Name: Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam

 Born : April 30, 1973

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Nationality: American

Religion: Islam

Origin: Senegal,Africa

Spouse: Tomeka Akon

Occupations:Singer, songwriter, record producer

Famous as : R&B  & hip hop singer

Years active:2003–present
Labels:Konvict Muzik, Kon Live Distribution, Republic Records (current)
Universal, SRC, UpFront (former)
Associated acts: David Guetta, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Young Jeezy
Claim to fame : Debut album"Trouble" (2004)

  • ZODIAC SIGN: Aries
  • EDUCATION: Clark Atlanta University

  • Website: akon.com

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DID YOU KNOW? Senegalese-American vocalist Akon has collaborated with a wide range of performers, from Eminem, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg to Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson.

  • BEST KNOWN FOR

    Senegalese-American vocalist Akon is known for his R&B-style vocals, which are featured in his own hit songs as well as collaborations with hip-hop artists.

QUOTES


"I've learned a lot along the way and I'm glad that I've never regretted to a point where I tried to change my past, because ultimately my past made me who I am today."

– Akon

Biography

by Songloversheaven.blogspot.com

Early life

Aliaune Damala Dakha Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, often going by the shorter Aliaune Thiam, is best known by his fans simply as Akon. Born on April 30, 1973 to legendary percussionist and jazz musician Mor Thiam whose expertise for playing the Djembe, a traditional African drum, has been touted as "unrivaled," he was grateful for his family musical background that later on did helpful in paving the way for him to embark on a musical career and gain success in the industry, making him one of the icons in the 21st century. Born in St. Louis, Akon grew up in Senegal before he and his family returned to the United States and settled in New Jersey when he was seven. While in Jersey City, he discovered hip-hop for the first time by the time he started hanging around with local thugs crowd. Initially attended Snyder High School, the boy did everything against the school regulation and was kicked out after busted for selling guns, bullet and test questions for every test. He later on attended the Bayonne High School though. Hanging with the group, Akon also became popular for his bravery in fighting and ...

was jailed for armed robbery and drug distribution charges. In between time, he used his time to begin writing his own songs.




Music career


2003–05: Discovery and Trouble

Being brought up in an environment that treasures the true artistic value of musicianship and revels in the mastering ofinstrumental skill, it was Akon's deep rooted love and passion for music that later on encouraged him to record tracks in a home studio upon being freed from behind bars. The tapes found their way to SRC/Universal which eventually released Akon's debut LP "Trouble" in June 2004.
It was this set that catapulted him to international stardom, thanks to the hit single "Locked Up," written based on his experience of serving a three-year jail sentence for grand theft auto, that brought him a Sixshot Award for Best Single of 2004, shared with rapperStyles P. The other hit singles spawned by the album include "Lonely," which was actually Bobby Vinton's old track entitled "Mr. Lonely," that successfully topped the UK charts in 2005, "Belly Dancer (Bananza)," "Pot Of Gold," and "Ghetto". "TROUBLE evolved from the struggles I went through and what I did and am still doing to correct those things," Akon said about his debut album.

In2005, Akon gained more popularity after being featured in Young Jeezy's debut album, "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101", on the song "Soul Survivor" which became a top five hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

2006–07: Konvicted

 In perhaps the best effort he had, sophomore album "Konvicted" that was released on November 14, 2006, raised
his fame meter even higher, made it enough for him to be considered one of the prominent musicians at that time. Its first single "Smack That," featured Eminem in the rapping, shot to #2 in Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed on the post for five consecutive weeks. "I Wanna Love You", the second single off "Konvicted," was released in September the same year. Featured a collaboration with Snoop Dogg, this single topped the U.S. charts for two consecutive weeks, earned Akon's his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and Snoop's second. The first two songs may be lifted due to the collaboration, but Akon proved that his solo effort "Don't Matter" could also reign at #1. Akon, indeed, reached the highest peak of his career with his being nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at 49th Annual Grammy Awards for "Smack That." Unfortunately, he lost ...

to collaboration in "My Love."

While thriving with his solo career, Akon was also noted for his collaboration with Gwen Stefani in her hit "The Sweet Escape." Before touring as a solo, he jumped in Gwen's Sweet Escape Tour in the first half of 2007. At one point, unfortunately, Akon was heavily criticized after performing racy dance with an underage girl during a concert in Tobago. Claimed to have no idea for the girls' age that manipulated the venue, a nightclub only allowing 18 years and above, he took the "blame" anyway and wrote a song "Sorry, Blame It on Me," released it in August 2007 and shot its music video at the same time. Since the song was created after "Konvicted" has hit the street, a special edition of the album was made with the inclusion of "Sorry, Blame It on Me." Titled "Konvicted (Deluxe Edition)", the set was released on August 28 the same year and covered in it the song "Rush," featured Kardinal Offishall, which appeared in the blockbuster movie "Rush Hour 3" (2007).

On June 3, 2007 Akon was performing on stage during a concert at radio station WSPK's KFEST in Fishkill, N.Y. when ...

someone in the crowd of concert goers suddenly threw an object at the stage in his direction. He then asked the crowd to point out the individual who did that and ordered security to bring the audience member on stage. Once the attendee, a 15-year-old boy, was on stage, Akon tossed him back into the crowd from his shoulders. Video of the incident was reviewed by Fishkill police who at last decided to charge him with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment. A December 3 arraignment, nevertheless, saw Akon being pleaded not guilty to both charges, much to his delight. 

2008–09: Freedom

Akon released his new album Freedom on December 2, which spawned four singles: "Right Now (Na Na Na)", "I'm So Paid" (featuring Lil Wayne andYoung Jeezy), "Beautiful" (featuring Kardinal Offishall and Colby O'Donis) and "We Don't Care". "We Don't Care" has failed to chart significantly in many countries, only reaching 61 in the UK and 91 in Australia. Freedom was certified platinum in US and achieved gold and platinum certifications in many countries.
After the unexpected death of The King Of Pop Michael Jackson, who Akon was working with in Jackson's last years, Akon released a tribute song called "Cry Out Of Joy". Akon and Michael Jackson were close friends near the end of Jackson's life. Speaking of his relationship with Michael Jackson to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning 'Blues & Soul' in October 2008, Akon stated the following:
Mike is the King Of Pop, and I think that it's a dream come true for ANY major artist/songwriter/producer to be able to work with the best in the business! You know, to work with someone like Mike – who's created opportunities, opened doors for so many people, and achieved so much in the music world, period – is just an experience which would be enough to take home for ANYONE! I mean, when I first flew up to Vegas and met him it was almost like we'd known each other for YEARS! LITERALLY! 'Cause musically we were on the same exact page! The chemistry was just INCREDIBLE! And, as a person, he was the most cool, humble dude I've ever met! I mean, we even actually got to go to the movies together – in broad daylight! Which was an experience in itself!
 David Guetta collaborated with Akon in "Sexy Bitch", the first house track by Akon, which was a "summer anthem" across the globe. Reaching No. 1 in more than 6 countries, and charting at 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, it is featured on Guetta's One Love album. It is Akon's 19th Top 20 hit worldwide.

2010–present: Stadium

The album's lead single, "Angel", was released to US radio stations on September 14, 2010,and was released as a single on September 27, 2010. It was produced by French producer David Guetta. Akon performed the song during the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Akon travelled to Jamaica to work with Damian, Julian & Stephen Marley.Stadium will be released sometime in 2013.


Personal life

Akon claims that he has six children with three different women in an interview with Blender, all of whom he has great relationships with. He says he wishes to keep his family protected from the public eye. Akon is also a Muslim.
He also has his own charity for underprivileged children in Africa called Konfidence Foundation.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." 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 use of blood diamonds while also donating profits to local communities.
Akon appeared on the ITV2 show The Hot Desk. He stated on the show that he is a fan of English Premier League club Chelsea F.C.

Legal difficulties

Akon has stated that he was part of an auto-theft ring and spent three 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. Akon responded to the report by saying that he never spent 3 years in prison consecutively, but had many shorter sentences that add up to three years.
In April 2007, Akon drew criticism for an onstage act which included simulated sex with a 15-year-old girl, at a club in Trinidad and Tobago, as part of a fake contest, despite the club's claim to have a 21 years and over age requirement. The incident was filmed by Akon's crew and later uploaded to the Internet. On April 20, 2007 local media, channel 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. 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."
Political commentators Michelle Malkin, Laura Ingraham, and Bill O'Reilly criticized Akon for "degrading women." 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.The Electronic Frontier Foundation joined Malkin in contesting the removal as a misuse of copyright law, citing fair use.[59] 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 young man 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. Akon has claimed that the incident was staged and that he in fact used the act to set up for the next record.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.
In 2010, Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka vehemently protested a planned concert by Akon, claiming his music video 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.
Projects with other artists

This section needs additional citations for verification.

Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2009)
Akon produced the track entitled "Echo" on Latin Boy band Menudo's latest album, released in the spring of 2008.
?Konvict Music? would be responsible for the re-release of Kat Deluna?s debut album 9 Lives (album) which would feature Akon on the single "Am I Dreaming."
He was also in a song with Aventura ft. Akon and Wisin Y Yandel called "All up 2 you".
In July 2008 a song called "Hold My Hand" circulated the internet. The song is an R&B duet/collaboration between Michael Jackson and Akon, composed by Claude Kelly. There also exists another version featuring only Akon. There is also no official mention of the recording on either artists' websites although Akon has spoken about the track on various other websites. It was not included in the track list 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. In late July of that year a Tribute song by Akon known as "Cry Out Of Joy" was leaked onto the internet.
Akon was also the executive producer of Kardinal Offishall's fourth solo album Not 4 Sale, released September 9, 2008. The promo single "Graveyard Shift" features Akon as does the first official single "Dangerous", which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and won the award for Single of the Year at the 2009 Juno Awards.
Akon co-wrote and recorded "Put It on My Tab" with New Kids on the Block for their 2008 reunion album The Block.
Akon co-wrote and produced Leona Lewis' hit record Forgive Me, off her debut album Spirit.
He is currently working with X Factor 2008 winner Alexandra Burke on her upcoming debut album.
Akon co-produced Konvict Muzik artist Lady Gaga's first studio album The Fame and co-wrote & produced the worldwide smash-hit "Just Dance", which also featured Colby O'Donis and earned a Grammy nomination at the 51st Grammy Awards. This was earned the both young Konvict Muzik artists their first Grammy Nominations and has reached #1 in more than 14 countries, including Australia, UK & the U.S.
Flo Rida?s new album R.O.O.T.S. features Akon on the track ?Available?.
Akon has recorded a song with E-40 titled "Wake It Up" for E-40's album, The Ball Street Journal. Akon experiments with the auto-tune effect in the song.
Rap singer Nelly confirmed that Akon, Pharrell, and T-Pain have talked about forming a rap supergroup in 2009.
Akon and Konvict Muzik are also producing hip hop/rock group Flipsyde's 2009 release, State of Survival, which will be released via Kon Live Distribution and Cherrytree Records.
Akon worked with Whitney Houston for her 2009 comeback album I Look to You. He appears on the track "Like I Never Left".
Akon worked with bachata group Aventura and Reggaeton duo Wisin y Yandel on All Up 2 You the second single from Aventura's album The Lastthat dropped in June.
Akon recently signed Jayko, a Hispanic R&B and Reggaeton artist, to his label and is working with him on his debut album titled "Marcando Territorio"
Sexy Bitch was released in July 2009, a collaboration with French DJ David Guetta.
In August 2009, Akon released another version of Beautiful featuring BoA, a popular and legendary Korean singer. However, this version was for the Japanese market.

Television and film

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, girls and free things. Akon has claimed that people have mistaken his brothers for him many times in Atlanta which is what the show is based on.

Akon is planning to work on a full-length movie titled Illegal Alien. The film is based on some of the events of his life and actor Mekhi Phifer is set to play him. Besides Akon confirmed in August 2007, in the interview with Polish website INTERIA.PL, that he works on a movie "Cocaine Cowboys," which tells the story of Jon Roberts, the main pilot of Medellin Cartel (Colombian drug traffickers). He was also featured on a Verizon Wireless commercial and singing Snitch along with Obie Trice on a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode named "Poppin' Tags."

On November 30, 2007, Akon entered the Big Brother house in Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 as a guest so the housemates can meet him for only 100 seconds.

He also appeared on November 17, 2008 edition of WWE Raw, with Santino Marella citing him in his speech. Because of Santino's Italian Stereotyping, he mispronounced Akon's name to "Akorn".

On April 27, 2008, Akon appeared with Colby O'Donis in Dance on Sunset.

Fashion
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. Timothy Hodge appeared on MTV's Direct Effect alongside Akon while promotioning the Konvict clothing line.




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