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This article is about the musician. For the anime convention, see Project A-Kon.
Akon

Aliaune Thiam (born April 16, 1973[1][2][3]), better known by his stage name Akon (Template:PronEng)[4] is a Wolof[5]Senegalese-American hip hop and R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Akon rose to fame in 2004 following the release of his single "Locked Up" from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single "Smack That". He is the founder of Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. He is well known for singing hooks and has over 145 guest appearances and 21 Billboard Hot 100 songs to his credit. He is the only artist to ever accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.[6]

Career

Early life

As the son of famed jazz musician Mor Thiam, Akon was raised in a musical setting and taught to play several instruments. At the age of 7, he moved to New Jersey. During Akon’s alleged time in jail, he began to understand his music abilities and developed an appreciation for his musical background. When he was released he immediately began recording his music and sending out demo tapes. Akon's unique blend of West African-style vocals and hip-hop lyricism eventually caught the ears of executives at Universal Records.[7]

Name and age

Akon's given name is Aliaune Thiam.[8] Some sources have written his name as Aliaune Badara Thiam or Alioune Badara Thiam[9]. However, About.com claims that this middle name has never been independently verified.[10] In addition, some media institutions have incorrectly reported that he was born in 1981. Sources such as the AP have indicated he was born in 1973. Legal documents released by The Smoking Gun list his name as Aliaune Dalama Thiam and date of birth as 1973-04-30[11] or 1973-04-16[12]. According to the Smoking Gun article, "By all indications, he was born April 16, 1973".[13] When asked his age during an interview with VIBE, Akon reportedly responded, "The only thing I hide is my age... before I lie to you, I'd rather say nothing."[14]

Background

He is the son of the Senegalese percussionist Mor Thiam. He then spent split time between Senegal and America until he was 15, and then permanently moved to Jersey City, New Jersey.[15] He recorded his first song, "Operations of Nature," at the age of fifteen.[citation needed] Akon began writing and recording tracks in his home studio. The tapes found their way to SRC/Universal, which released Akon's debut LP Trouble in June 2004. 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 with him uttering the word "Convict."

2004–2005

Akon's solo debut album, Trouble was released on June 29, 2004. It spawned the hit singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely," as well as "Belly Dancer (Bananza)," "Pot Of Gold," and "Ghetto". Akon allegedly served a three-year jail sentence for grand theft auto, an experience that supposedly inspired his "Locked Up".[8] "Locked Up" reached the top 10 in the U.S. and the top five in the UK. His manager Robert Montanez was shot to death following a dispute in New Jersey in December 2005. "Ghetto" became a radio hit when it was remixed by Green Lantern to include verses from legendary rappers 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. 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 amount of video requests, Akon's "Lonely" became the longest running single on the top of the chart, spanning over fifteen weeks. Akon then released another single featuring with a New Zealand rapper, Savage with the single Moonshine, which had become a success in both New Zealand and Australia, becoming number one in the New Zealand charts. In 2005, Akon gained more popularity after being featured on Young Jeezy's debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, on the song "Soul Survivor."

2006–2008

Akon performing with Gwen Stefani on The Sweet Escape Tour.

In 2006-2007 Akon has had one of the most successful spans any singer has ever enjoyed with eleven songs in the Billboard Hot 100. Akon's second album, entitled Konvicted, was released on November 14, 2006. Konvicted included collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Styles P. Late August 2006, Akon released the single "Smack That" featuring Eminem, from the album. This single peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks. The music video for "Smack That" was directed by Raymond Garced. "I Wanna Love You", the second single off Konvicted, was released in September 2006. It is a collaboration between Akon and Snoop Dogg. This single earned 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, Akon released his third single "Don't Matter" which earned him his first solo number one and second consecutive Hot 100 chart topper. "Mama Africa" was released as a European single in July 2007, making it the fourth single. It debuted in the UK at number 47. "Sorry, Blame It on Me" is the album's fifth single which debuted in August 2007, on the Hot 100 at number seven, which also happened to be a career best. The song is not available on the original album, but instead part of the Deluxe Edition of Konvicted, which came out August 28, 2007. The sixth and final single was confirmed in an interview by Akon to be "Never Took the Time".[16] Konvicted 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. and more than 1.3 million worldwide. The album was certified platinum after seven weeks, and after sixteen weeks it was certified double platinum. Konvicted was able to stay in the top twenty of the Billboard 200 for 28 consecutive weeks, where it peaked at number two on four different occasions. On November 19, 2007, the RIAA has certified the Konvicted album triple platinum status with 3 million units sold in th United States. Currently it has sold more than 4 million worldwide.

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 is fueled by its number six debut on Hot Digital Songs with 67,000 downloads. The record was broken on April 7, 2007 by Beyoncé and Shakira's "Beautiful Liar" when it jumped from 94 to 3 on the Hot 100, because of their 150,000 digital downloads on the Hot Digital Songs.

In December 2006, Akon's "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.

On July 7, 2007 Akon performed at the American leg of Live Earth.

From April to July 2007 Akon performed in The Sweet Escape Tour with Gwen Stefani. From July to September he embarked on his worldwide Konvicted Tour, and in September, he toured with Rihanna on the Canadian leg of her Good Girl Gone Bad Tour.

Akon has been featured in Kat Deluna's "Am I Dreaming."

Akon will be making a guest appearance on singer Ciara's new album "Fantasy Ride" due out early December 2008.[17]

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.

Akon co-wrote and recorded a song with the newly-reunited 90's boyband New Kids on the Block for their 2008 album release called "Put it On My Tab".[18]

Other ventures

Akon at Live Earth.

In 2006, Akon started his new record label Kon Live Distribution under Interscope Records. His first signed artist was Ray Lavender.

He was featured on Gwen Stefani's latest album, The Sweet Escape. He made an appearance on the title track and second single, "The Sweet Escape". Akon produced the song. On December 10, 2006, Akon and Stefani appeared as musical guests on Saturday Night Live, however they did not perform the song as Stefani had not yet learned the lyrics. He performed the song live, however, on American Idol on March 28, 2007 due to Gwen Stefani's appearance as a coach the night before. "The Sweet Escape" has reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached #1 on United World Chart and is on the top for eight weeks. The song is also Akon's first #1 on World Chart.

Akon collaborated with Chamillionaire on his mixtape, Mixtape Messiah 2. He is featured on "Ridin' Overseas", which he also produced. The mixtape became available for download on Chamillionaire's website on December 24, 2006.

Akon and Young Jeezy are doing a collaborative album together. In 2006, after their 2005 Akon-produced single, "Soul Survivor", the duo said that there is a lot more to expect from them in the future.[19][20]

Akon also appeared on Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's album Strength and Loyalty and Three 6 Mafia's eighth studio album, Last 2 Walk, We The Best by DJ Khaled, Fabolous's album, From Nothin' to Somethin', with 50 Cent on some tracks for Curtis,[21] T.I.'s 5th album, T.I. vs. T.I.P.,[22] Mario's third solo album Go!,[23] and produced for Daddy Yankee's El Cartel: The Big Boss which was released on June 5, 2007.[24]

In November 2007, Akon recorded a remix of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" with Michael Jackson. In February 2008, the remix was released on the Thriller 25 of Michael Jackson's Thriller. The remix was released as a single and charted in the top 10 in most countries. Akon has mentioned in various interviews that he is also working with Jackson on his upcoming studio album.

Akon holds the record for most guest performances on popular television show American Idol with two. He once sang "The Sweet Escape" with Gwen Stefani and three weeks later he sang "Don't Matter" on the show while it was number one on the Billboard charts.

Akon is also credited with producing the track entitled "Echo" on Latin Boy band Menudo's latest album, released in the spring of 2008.

Akon is the executive producer of Not 4 Sale, Kardinal Offishall's fourth solo album, which will be released on September 9, 2008. The street single "Graveyard Shift" features Akon rapping,[25] and Akon also appears on the first official single "Dangerous".

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.[26]

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).[27] 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.

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 along side Akon while promotioning the Konvict clothing line.[28]

Personal life

Akon has been rumored to have three wives, but recently has said to only have one. [29][30] Akon nominally belongs to the Sunni sect of Islam. Both his parents are Muslim. [citation needed] It has been reported that he is both a believer and practitioner of polygamy, though such reports are unconfirmed, as Akon has not given a straight answer to questions about the matter.[31][8] Polygamy is illegal in the United States of America and in many Muslim countries[citation needed]. He claims to have five children with three different women in an interview with Blender.[32]

He also has his own charity for underprivileged children in Africa called Konfidence Foundation.[33] Akon owns a diamond mine in South Africa and denies the existence of conflict diamonds, saying, "I don't even believe in conflict diamonds. That's just a movie. Think about it. Ain't nobody thought about nothing about no conflict diamonds until the movie came out."[34] He also allegedly had a previous occupation as a drug dealer but has stated in interviews that he's never used drugs, though some of his lyrics would suggest otherwise. Despite his alleged criminal history, he proclaims that he has turned his life around.

In 2006, he ventured to Africa to play a concert in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.[35]

Controversy

Trinidad and Tobago incident

In April 2007, Akon drew criticism for having on-stage simulated sex with Danah (Deena) Alleyne, a preacher's fifteen-year-old daughter, at a club in Trinidad and Tobago, as part of a fake contest, despite the club's claim to have an 21 years and over age limit.[36][37] 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.[38] 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".[39]

In one song from his album, "Sorry, Blame It On Me", Akon apologizes to the young girl for the incident at the club, though citing the club for admitting the girl because she was under 21, and her parents for letting her go out dressed like an adult. He also tells how Verizon dropped promoting him and Gwen's tour, and stopped sale of his ringtones. He also makes several other apologies to his children, wife, and mother as well. The song is available to listen to on Akon's MySpace page and was released onto iTunes (U.S.) on July 17, 2007.

Political commentators Michelle Malkin, Laura Ingraham, and Bill O'Reilly criticized Akon for "degrading women".[40][41] 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.[42] The Electronic Frontier Foundation joined Malkin in contesting the removal as a misuse of copyright law, citing fair use.[43] In May 2007, UMG rescinded its claim to the video, and the video returned to YouTube.

Fishkill incident

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.[44] Akon has claimed that the incident was staged and that he in fact used the act to set up for the next record.[26] As of November 29, 2007, 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 scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. on December 3, 2007 in the town of Fishkill Court for arraignment on the two charges.[45]

Biographical fabrications

The Smoking Gun reported in April 2008 that much of Akon's purported criminal and incarceration history has been dramatically embellished.[46] In particular, Akon's claims to be part of an auto-theft ring and his claim to have spent three years in prison were challenged with court records and interviews with detectives involved in Akon's case.

Akon has only been convicted of a single felony, that of gun possession in 1998. He received 3 years probation after pleading guilty. He ended up spending several months in jail on remand following the theft of a BMW, but the charges against him were dropped.

According to The Smoking Gun's article, Akon was not convicted of any crime and did not serve any time in prison from 1999 to 2002 as previously claimed.

Awards and nominations

Akon in 2007.
  • American Music Awards
    • 2007, Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist (Winner)
    • 2007, Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist (Nominated)
    • 2007, Artist of the Year (Nominated)
  • BET Awards
    • 2007, Best Male R&B Artist (Nominated)
    • 2007, Best Collaboration: "I Wanna Love You" with Snoop Dogg (Nominated)
    • 2007, Best Video of the Year: "I Wanna Love You" with Snoop Dogg (Nominated)
  • BET Hip-Hop Awards
    • 2007, Best Collaboration: "We Takin' Over" with DJ Khaled, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Lil Wayne (Nominated)
    • 2007, People's Champ Award: "We Takin' Over" with DJ Khaled, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Lil Wayne (Nominated)
  • Grammy Awards
    • 2008, Best R&B Contemporary Album: Konvicted (Nominated)
    • 2008, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "I Wanna Love You" with Snoop Dogg (Nominated)
    • 2008, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group: "Bartender" with T-Pain (Nominated)
    • 2008, Best Pop Collaboration w/ Vocals: "The Sweet Escape" with Gwen Stefani (Nominated)
    • 2007, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Smack That" with Eminem (Nominated)
  • MOBO Award
    • 2007, Best R&B Act (Nominated)
    • 2007, Best International Act (Nominated)
  • MTV Video Music Awards
    • 2007, Best Male Artist (Nominated)
    • 2007, Most Earth Shattering Collaboration: "The Sweet Escape" with Gwen Stefani (Nominated)
    • 2007, Most Earth Shattering Collaboration: "Smack That" with Eminem (Nominated)
    • 2005, MTV2 Award: "Locked Up" (Nominated)
  • MTV Europe Awards
    • 2007, Best Album: Konvicted (Nominated)
    • 2005, Best Breakthrough Act (Nominated)
    • 2005, Best Hip-Hop Act (Nominated)
  • Teen Choice Awards
    • 2007, Choice Male Breakthrough Artist (Winner)
    • 2007, Choice R&B Artist (Nominated)
    • 2007, Choice Love Song: "Don't Matter" (Nominated)
    • 2007, Choice Music Single: "The Sweet Escape" with Gwen Stefani (Nominated)
  • Vibe Music Awards
    • 2007, Coolest Collaboration: "We Takin' Over" with DJ Khaled, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Lil Wayne (Nominated)
    • 2005, Hottest Hook: "Soul Survivor" (Nominated)
    • 2004, Hottest Hook: "Locked Up" (Nominated)

Discography

Main article: Akon discography

References

  1. ^ According to The Smoking Gun, "By all indications, he was born April 16, 1973." http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0416081akon1.html.
  2. ^ Akon apologizes for sexually explicit dance", CNN, 2007-05-10.
  3. ^ "Akon Apologizes For Racy Onstage Dance", Billboard, 2007-05-09.
  4. ^ Ingolo.com, Pronunciation of Akon.
  5. ^ Akon
  6. ^ Bronson, Fred. "Chart Beat", Billboard Magazine, 2007-04-05.
  7. ^ Loftus, Johnny (2006). "Akon — Biography". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  8. ^ a b c Relic, Peter. "The Hook Man", Rolling Stone magazine, 2006-11-02.
  9. ^ "Akon se rattrape à Iba Mar Diop", SenePortal, 2005-06-05.
  10. ^ Nero, Mark Edward. Akon Profile, About.com.
  11. ^ http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0416081dutchmisd2.html
  12. ^ http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0416081njjudgment1.html
  13. ^ http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0416081akon1.html
  14. ^ http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0416081akon1.html
  15. ^ Bottomley, C. "Akon: Trouble No More", VH1.com, 2005-05-02.
  16. ^ Tang, Melisa. Akon: The Good With The Bad, BallerStatus.com, 2007-08-02.
  17. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN2529300920080726?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true
  18. ^ http://nkotb.com/blog/2008/08/donnie-talks-music
  19. ^ Reid, Shaheem. Saga Of Young Jeezy, Akon Continues With Possible Duet LP, MTV News, 2006-06-15.
  20. ^ Petipas, Jolene. Young Jeezy Teams With Akon For Collabo CD, SOHH, 2006-12-07.
  21. ^ "My List: Akon". Rolling Stone, 2007-04-03.
  22. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. "T.I. Stretches Out With Eminem, Timbaland, Wyclef", Billboard, 2007-04-14.
  23. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson. "Mario Gets Back To Making Music With Akon, Timbaland, Neptunes", MTV.com, 2007-04-13.
  24. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. "Daddy Yankee Drafts Fergie, Akon For New Album", Billboard, 2007-04-03.
  25. ^ Kardinal Offishall preps new Mixtape; features Akon, Bishop Lamont, Little Brother and more, AllHipHop, 2007-07-02.
  26. ^ a b Sawjani, Archna. Akon: Real Talk, AllHipHop.com, 2007-08-06.
  27. ^ "Akon intensywnie", INTERIA.PL, 2007-08-28.
  28. ^ Winning, Brolin. "Akon - Got It Locked", MP3.com, 2006-10-23.
  29. ^ Starpulse."[1]", Starpulse, 2006-11-25.
  30. ^ Blender."[2]", Blender, 2007-7-19.
  31. ^ Akon Clears Up The Polygamy Drama, Vibe, 2006-10-10.
  32. ^ de Silverio, Victoria. Akon also claims to have a youtube page, known as AkonKonvictTv. He has uploaded all of his music videos and is now starting to upload his music without the videos. "Who Does Akon Think He Is?", Blender, September 19, 2007.
  33. ^ "Founders". Konfidence Foundation. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  34. ^ Egere-Cooper, Matilda. Akon: So what if I own a diamond mine?. Independent, 2007-02-16.
  35. ^ Akon comes to region. All Africa Newswire, 2006-05-23.
  36. ^ Telesford, Nigel. Akon 'cons' Trinidad, Trinidad Express, 2007-04-14.
  37. ^ Ramnarine, Kristy. Zen owner: Age limit 21 for club, Trinidad Express, 2007-04-20.
  38. ^ Leeds, Jeff. Verizon Drops Pop Singer From Ads, New York Times, 2007-05-10.
  39. ^ Bozell, L. Brent III. Rapper Not a "Perfect Gentleman", ParentsTV.org, 2007-05-24.
  40. ^ Malkin, Michelle. Look who’s promoting a vulgar misogynist, MichelleMalkin.com, 2007-05-03.
  41. ^ Pulse Report, SOHH.com, 2007-05-11.
  42. ^ Malkin, Michelle. "Akon's record company abuses DMCA to stifle criticism on YouTube", MichelleMalkin.com, 2007-05-03.
  43. ^ "Malkin Fights Back Against Copyright Law Misuse by Universal Music Group", Electronic Frontier Foundation, 2007-05-09.
  44. ^ Police: Akon investigation continues, Poughkeepsie Journal, 2007-08-29.
  45. ^ Akon Faces Charges, Poughkeepsie Journal, 2007-11-30.
  46. ^ Akon's Con Job, The Smoking Gun, 2008-04-16.
  47. ^ http://www.rap-up.com/2008/09/18/akon-sets-himself-free-on-third-album/
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