Akon

About

Akon, born as Aliaune Thiam on April 16, 1973, is a globally recognized Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer, and businessman. He came into the limelight in 2004 after his single "Locked Up" from his debut album "Trouble" became a huge hit. He is also known for his hits like "Lonely", "Smack That", and "I Wanna Love You". As a songwriter and producer, Akon has worked with several prominent artists across various genres and has received multiple Grammy nominations. Apart from his music career, he is also a philanthropist with initiatives like Akon Lighting Africa, which aims to provide electricity in 15 African countries.

Associated With

Akon, an internationally renowned singer, songwriter, and producer, has had multiple significant associations in various fields within the entertainment industry. He has collaborated with a number of high-profile artists, such as Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem, actively contributing to their music production and success. In terms of acting, he has made appearances in a few films like "Black November" and "American Heist". While he is relatively private about his personal life, he has been linked to several relationships in the past, including with model Rachel Ritfeld and Nicole Bahls. Through his record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution, Akon has made considerable strides in discovering and promoting new talents. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in Lady Gaga's early career.

Career Highlights

• 2004: Akon carved out his place in the music industry with the release of his debut album "Trouble," which presented the hit songs "Locked Up" and "Lonely."
• 2005: His successful music career continued as he won the award for "Best New Artist" at the Billboard Music Awards.
• 2006: Akon released his second album, "Konvicted," which would go triple platinum and features the hit singles "Smack That," "I Wanna Love You," and "Don't Matter."
• 2007: Recognized for his accomplishments, Akon won the Teen Choice Award for "Choice Music: R&B Artist."
• 2008: His third album, "Freedom," launched, with the tracks "Right Now (Na Na Na)" and "Beautiful" performing exceptionally well on the charts.
• 2009: Akon won the Artist of the Year award at the Billboard Touring Awards.
• 2010: He continued his winning streak by receiving the award for Ozone's "Best Africa Descendant Artist."
• 2011: Akon took home the Canadian Radio Music Award for "International Solo Artist of the Year."
• 2012: He acted as producer for a variety of popular tracks, including "Play Hard" by David Guetta, furthering his influence within the music industry.
• 2013: Speculation about a new album, "Stadium," began circulating; although it's yet to be officially released, several singles from the album were free to stream on his website.
• 2015: Akon launched a project called "Akon Lighting Africa" focused on providing electricity through solar energy in Africa, highlighting his work as a philanthropist.
• 2016: His efforts were recognized with the Global Good Award at the BET Awards.
• 2018: Akon announced he would be creating a city in Senegal known as "Akon City," further cementing his philanthropic works.
• 2020: Despite a seven-year album hiatus, Akon released three albums in 2020, representing different genres: "Ain't No Peace," "Akonda," and "Konnect."

Notable Awards

• Akon has won several awards for his contribution to the music industry. These include:
• American Music Awards – Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist (2007)
• BET Hip Hop Awards – Best Hip-Hop Collabo (2007) for "Smack That" ft. Eminem
• Billboard Music Awards – Artist of the Year (2007), Top Pop Song (2007) for "Smack That" ft. Eminem, Top R&B Artist (2006), Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist (2006), and several others.
• MOBO Awards – Best African Act (2007)
• MTV Europe Music Awards – Best Male (2007), Best Song (2007) for "Smack That", Best Selling International Artist – Africa (2015), and several others.
• World Music Awards – World's Best Selling R&b Male (2007), World's Best Selling African Artist (2007)

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Akon Song/Album?

One of the most popular songs by Akon is "Smack That," a single from his second studio album, "Konvicted" released in 2006. This song features renowned rapper Eminem and has gained immense commercial success globally. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to receive a Grammy nomination. "Konvicted" itself is considered one of Akon's most successful albums, with hits like "I Wanna Love You" and "Don't Matter", further solidifying its popularity as it went multi-platinum in several countries.

How Did Akon Get Famous?

Akon, born as Aliaune Thiam, gained popularity as a successful rapper, songwriter, and record producer. His rise to stardom began with the release of his debut album "Trouble" in 2004, which included the hit single "Locked Up." This song became very popular, garnering him significant recognition. He gained further fame with his next two albums, "Konvicted" in 2006 and "Freedom" in 2008, which included hit singles like "Smack That" and "I Wanna Love You." Akon's unique blend of RnB and hip hop, coupled with his meaningful lyrics and catchy tunes, made him a global sensation and a prolific figure in the music industry.