Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973) was born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. He is a Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is professionally known as Akon. With his distinctive musical style and groundbreaking contributions to the world of music, Akon has solidified his place as an influential figure.
His meteoric rise to fame commenced in 2004 with the release of "Locked Up," the inaugural single from his debut album, "Trouble" (2004). This was followed by the emotive hit "Lonely," establishing Akon as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Subsequently, his second album, "Konvicted" (2006), garnered widespread acclaim, earning three Grammy Award nominations, including Best Contemporary R&B Album, and recognition for the chart-toppers "Smack That" (featuring Eminem) and "I Wanna Love You" (featuring Snoop Dogg).
Akon's prowess as a musician extends beyond his solo endeavors, with an astonishing record of over 300 guest appearances and more than 35 Billboard Hot 100 charting songs. He achieved a remarkable feat by simultaneously holding the number one and two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice, an accomplishment that remains unparalleled.
Notably, Akon boasts a rich discography with multiple songs certified as multi-platinum and gold by the RIAA. His impact extends to the world of ringtones, as Guinness World Records recognized him as the top-selling artist for master ringtones globally.
Beyond his musical career, Akon's entrepreneurial spirit shone through with the founding of record labels Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution. Under his mentorship, several renowned artists, including Lady Gaga, T-Pain, R. City, Kardinal Offishall, Jeffree Star, and French Montana, have found success. Akon also excels as a producer and songwriter, collaborating with industry legends such as Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Sean Paul, and Whitney Houston.
A testament to his influence, Forbes recognized Akon's prominence by ranking him 80th on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list in 2010 and placing him 5th on the 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa list in 2011. Billboard further affirmed his impact by ranking him as the 6th Top Digital Songs Artist of the decade. Akon's enduring legacy as an artist, producer, and entrepreneur continues to shape the music industry and inspire generations.
