Biography
Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973), known professionally as Akon, is a Senegalese-American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, businessman and actor. He is of Senegalese descent. He rose to fame in 2004 after releasing the song Locked Up from his self-titled debut album.
He has always treasured his family’s musical legacy, which has helped him succeed in the American music industry despite being born into an African musical family.
In the United States, Akon attended high school in New Jersey before being expelled for breaking the rules. He was introduced to hip-hop music in Jersey City while hanging out with local roughnecks.
He became famous throughout the team for his bravery and fighting skills. Despite this, he was repeatedly imprisoned for robbery and drug trafficking. He wrote his songs while living a difficult life and engaging in controversial acts.
Akon was able to turn his life around through his passion and unwavering love for music. His love for hip-hop music and culture blossomed after he began his musical career by playing various percussion instruments.
He has won numerous awards for his albums throughout his career. Working with famous musicians such as Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie has helped him achieve much success.
Senegalese-American singer
Akon |
|
|---|---|
 Akon: History • Biography • Photos |
|
| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Full name: | Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam |
| Stage name: | Akon |
| Born: | April 16, 1973 (age 51) |
| Place of birth: | St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Nationality: | Senegal, Americas |
| Height: | 1.78 minutes |
| Parents: | Kine Gueye Thiam, Mor Thiam |
| Siblings: | Abu Thiam |
| Wife • Husband/wife: | Rosina Bruck (break up), Tomeka Thiam |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Nicole Bahls (2010-2011), Cassie Griffin (2009-2010), Rachel Ritfeld (2007-2008), Michaela Schaffrath (2005-2006), Foxy Brown, Celina Powell (2018), Amber Rose (2017) |
| The children: | Alioune Thiam, Alianna Thiam, Jhavor Thiam, Thiam’s Journey |
| Job: | Singer • Businessman |
| Net worth: | 80 million US dollars |
Early life and education
Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, the son of dancer Kine Gueye Thiam (mother) and traditional jazz musician Mor Thiam (father), was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 16, 1973. He has an older brother named Abou Thiam.
Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, where they stayed for seven years. The couple moved to Jersey City with their family after returning home. His parents left him in Jersey City with his brother when he started high school and moved to Atlanta, Georgia with the rest of the family.
Akon was a delinquent teenager who frequently broke classroom rules. He wrestled with other kids and eventually began hanging out with the rough kids in the neighborhood. He grew up with a strong enthusiasm and love for music due to his family’s musical influence. During his formative years, he mastered the guitar, drums, djembe, and five other instruments.
His love and passion for music helped him turn his life around, despite his involvement with crime in New Jersey. As a teenager, he began singing and performing. He then enrolled in Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, but dropped out after one semester. He began focusing solely on music after dropping out of college.
He started by recording music at home. During that time, he became close friends with Wyclef Jean of the Fugees. Akon eventually signed a recording contract in 2003.
Career
Akon’s life changed when his debut album, Trouble, was released in June 2004. He became almost immediately famous worldwide. The album produced several hit songs, including “Locked Up”, “Bananza (Belly Dance)”, “Ghetto” and “Lonely”. After the success of his debut album, he founded his own record labels, Kon Live Distribution and Konvict Muzic. In November 2006, he used his record label to release his second album, Konvicted.
His fame grew thanks to the number of hit singles from “Konvicted.” The album went multi-platinum and broke many records. Famous musicians appeared on the album; Eminem appeared on “Smack That,” and Snoop Dogg appeared on “I Wanna Love You.”
2008 saw the release of his third album, “Freedom.” Four singles were released from the album: “Right Now -Na Na Na,” “I’m So Paid,” “Beautiful,” and “We Don’t Care.”
Akon has worked with famous musicians such as Gwen Stefani, Whitney Houston and Lionel Richie. He co-wrote Lady Gaga’s hit song “Just Dance”.
He sang a duet with the late music icon Michael Jackson on “Hold My Hand.” The song was released after Jackson’s death in 2009. He also collaborated on the song “Sexy Bitch” by house legend David Guetta.
Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor appeared in the Hindi film “Ra.One,” for which Akon performed the song “Chammak Challo” for the soundtrack.
Akon has established himself as a successful actor in addition to being a great singer. He made his acting debut in the 2012 American-Nigerian film Black November. He co-starred with Adrien Brody and Hayden Christensen in the 2014 action film American Heist.
Akon’s fourth album, “Stadium,” was released in 2015. In late 2015 and early 2016, the album was also released in five separate genres (European, pop, urban, island, and global). He participated in the Chinese reality television show “I Am a Singer” in April 2016 alongside Taiwanese singer Jeff Chang.
In late 2017, he released a joint mixtape titled “Konvict Kartel Vol. 2.”
He released Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA’s first Latin track, “Get Money”, in 2019. He also released “Cómo No” that year, featuring Mexican-American singer Becky G.
His success is not limited to the entertainment and music industry. He has become a very successful businessman over the years. Along with owning two famous clothing brands, Aliaune and Konvict, he also owns several real estate projects.
Additionally, he founded the Konfidence Foundation. The main goal of this organization is to support disadvantaged youth in the United States and Africa.
David Guetta and Akon’s single “Sexy Bitch” reached number one in more than six countries.
Awards & Achievements
Akon received the award for “Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist” at the 2007 “American Music Awards”. He also won the award for “Artist of the Year” at the “Billboard Music Awards”. He received the “Teen Choice Award” for “Breakthrough Artist – Male” that same year.
He received the “BET Hip Hop Award” for “Producer of the Year” in 2008. He received the “Ozone Award” in 2009 for “Artist of the Year (US and UK)”.
In 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 he received “ASCAP Awards” in various categories.
Personal life
Akon has kept his family out of the public eye. He says he has six children with three different women. He owns a diamond mine in South Africa and runs a charity called Konfidence for underprivileged children.
He has been involved in numerous disputes and has faced numerous legal issues. For his involvement in a car theft ring, he is said to have served three years in prison from 1999 to 2002.
Akon was charged after throwing a fifteen-year-old off stage after a concert in 2007. He was heavily criticized in April 2007 for inappropriate sexual behavior with a teenage girl at a bar in Trinidad and Tobago.
In 2018, Akon’s “serious thoughts” about running for president in the 2020 United States election attracted media attention.
Akon was previously married to Rosina Bruck. He is married to Tomeka Thiam.
Tomeka Thiam is said to have given birth to two children (a boy, a girl) named Alioune Thiam and Alianna Thiam with Akon, while other reports say the hairdresser also has two more children (a boy, a girl) with singers Jhavor Thiam and Journey Thiam, bringing the total number of children to four.
He has dated Nicole Bahls (2010–2011), Cassie Griffin (2009–2010), Rachel Ritfeld (2007–2008), Michaela Schaffrath (2005–2006) and Foxy Brown.
Akon has dated Celina Powell (2018) and Amber Rose (2017).
Net worth
Akon’s net worth is estimated to be $80 million, a fortune earned through his music career, endorsement deals, and business ventures.
Social media
- Facebook: @/AKON/
- Twitter: @Akon
- Instagram: @Akon
