Akon, whose birth name is Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, is a prominent American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He gained fame in 2004 with the release of his debut album “Trouble” (2004), featuring the hit singles “Locked Up” (featuring Styles P) and “Lonely.”
His second album, “Konvicted” (2006), received recognition with three Grammy Award nominations, including Best Contemporary R&B Album. Additionally, “Smack That” (featuring Eminem) and “I Wanna Love You” (featuring Snoop Dogg) garnered nominations for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, both achieving success on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Followed by “Don’t Matter” and “Sorry, Blame It on Me,” Akon solidified his presence in the music industry.
With an extensive career as a featured artist, Akon has amassed over 300 guest appearances and over 35 Billboard Hot 100 hits, resulting in five Grammy Award nominations.
He notably became the first solo artist to simultaneously hold the number one and two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. Several of his songs have achieved impressive certifications by the RIAA, with four songs certified as 3× platinum, three songs as 2× platinum, and more than ten songs as 1× platinum and gold.
Akon’s influence extended beyond his music career; he founded two successful record labels, Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution, signing notable artists such as Lady Gaga, T-Pain, R. City, Kardinal Offishall, Jeffree Star, and French Montana.
He also made significant contributions to producing and songwriting, collaborating with mainstream artists like Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Sean Paul, and Whitney Houston.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Akon received accolades from prestigious publications. Forbes ranked him 80th on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list in 2010 and 5th on the 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa list in 2011. Billboard also recognized him as No. 6 on the list of Top Digital Songs Artists of the decade.
Akon’s multifaceted career as a musician, entrepreneur, and influential figure in the music industry showcases his impressive impact on the global entertainment landscape.