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Akon
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{{Short description|Senegalese-American musician (born 1973)}}{{Distinguish|Acon (disambiguation){{!}}Acon|A-Kon|Abdus Sattar Akon}}{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}}- the content below is remote from Wikipedia
- it has been imported raw for GetWiki
| factoids |
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- Singer
- songwriter
- record producer
- businessman
- philanthropist
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Early life
Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam was born on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri, to a Muslim family.WEB, Akon – Music Producer, Songwriter, Singer,www.biography.com/people/akon-21330753, live,www.biography.com/people/akon-21330753," title="web.archive.org/web/20160821123250www.biography.com/people/akon-21330753,">web.archive.org/web/20160821123250www.biography.com/people/akon-21330753, August 21, 2016, August 30, 2016, Biography.com, WEB, Muslim celebrities,www.cbsnews.com/pictures/famous-muslim-celebrities/28/, live,web.archive.org/web/20190110183523/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/famous-muslim-celebrities/28/, January 10, 2019, January 10, 2019, cbsnews.com, CBS News, WEB, May 9, 2014, 12 Black Celebrities Whose Real Names Will Surprise You,atlantablackstar.com/2014/05/09/12-black-celebrities-whose-real-names-will-surprise/4/, live,web.archive.org/web/20190326212454/https://atlantablackstar.com/2014/05/09/12-black-celebrities-whose-real-names-will-surprise/4/, March 26, 2019, March 26, 2019, atlantablackstar.com, His mother is dancer Kine Gueye Thiam (née Gueye), and his father is percussionist Mor Thiam.Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn; Fonseca, Anthony J.; Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017082927books.google.com/books?id=6mR2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA300 |date=October 17, 2023 }} [2 volumes], ABC-CLIO (2018), p. 300, {{ISBN|9780313357596}}. Retrieved March 14, 2020.NEWS, Pajon, Léo, July 3, 2018, Dix choses à savoir sur Akon, artiste multi-casquette, fr, Ten things to know about Akon, multi-talented artist, Jeune Afrique,www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/586428/culture/dix-choses-a-savoir-sur-akon-senegal-usa-chanteur/, live, March 14, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200302154013/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/586428/culture/dix-choses-a-savoir-sur-akon-senegal-usa-chanteur/, March 2, 2020, Mor Thiam was born to a Toucouleur family of Quranic scholars in Kaolack, Senegal. Akon spent a significant part of his childhood in Senegal, which he described as his “hometown”. Akon learned to play five instruments, including drums, guitar and djembe.WEB, Bottomley, C., May 2, 2005, Akon: Trouble No More,www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1501105/05022005/akon.jhtml,www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1501105/05022005/akon.jhtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20111020050755www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1501105/05022005/akon.jhtml,">web.archive.org/web/20111020050755www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1501105/05022005/akon.jhtml, October 20, 2011, VH1.com, At age seven, he and his family relocated to Union City, New Jersey,MAGAZINE, November 4, 2006, Deep Grooves,books.google.com/books?id=Pg8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, 36, Google Books,web.archive.org/web/20160116095236/https://books.google.com/books?id=Pg8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36, January 16, 2016, November 3, 2011, WEB, Kuperinksy, Amy, January 15, 2020, Akon went from Union City to building his own city, Akon City, in Senegal,www.nj.com/entertainment/2020/01/akon-went-from-union-city-to-building-his-own-city-akon-city-in-senegal.html,web.archive.org/web/20200116090028/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2020/01/akon-went-from-union-city-to-building-his-own-city-akon-city-in-senegal.html, January 16, 2020, September 1, 2020, NJ.com, splitting his time between the United States and Senegal until settling in Newark. Growing up in New Jersey, Akon had difficulties getting along with other children. When he and his older brother reached high school, his parents left them on their own in Jersey City and moved the rest of the family to Atlanta, Georgia.NEWS, Jones, Steve, October 4, 2004, Akon, not ‘Trouble,’ is his middle name, USA Today,www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-10-04-otv-akon_x.htm, live, June 12, 2007,www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-10-04-otv-akon_x.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20070511060455www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-10-04-otv-akon_x.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20070511060455www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-10-04-otv-akon_x.htm, May 11, 2007, Akon (real name: Allaune Thiam) is the son of acclaimed Senegalese percussionist Mor Thiam, who came to the USA to tour with dancers Katherine Dunham and Alvin Ailey. Growing up, Akon had a hard time getting along with kids in New Jersey. When he and his older brother reached high school, his parents left them on their own in Jersey City and moved the family to Atlanta, Akon attended William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City.WEB, Lin, Jonathan, November 17, 2013, Akon stops by his Jersey City home away from home,www.nj.com/hudson/2013/11/akon_stops_by_jersey_city_bar_for_dinner_speaks_of_growing_up_in_the_area.html,web.archive.org/web/20190701212242/https://www.nj.com/hudson/2013/11/akon_stops_by_jersey_city_bar_for_dinner_speaks_of_growing_up_in_the_area.html, July 1, 2019, July 1, 2019, The Jersey Journal, NJ.com, Akon said Costa helped keep him out of trouble during his rougher days in Jersey City, when he attended William L. Dickinson High School, Dickinson High School on Palisade Avenue.,Music career
Trouble“>2003–2005: Discovery and Trouble
Music mogul Devyne Stephens, the president of Upfront Megatainment, first heard about Akon when rapper Lil Zane brought him along to Stephens’ rehearsal hall, a place that at the time saw talents such as Usher and TLC being developed. The relationship between Stephens and Akon began as a friendship and mentorship, with the young artist regularly stopping by to ask for advice, with Stephens eventually signing him to his production company and began grooming him professionally.WEB, September 27, 2005, Interview With Knobody,www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_JeromeFoster.html, dead,www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_JeromeFoster.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20120217105316www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_JeromeFoster.html,">web.archive.org/web/20120217105316www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_JeromeFoster.html, February 17, 2012, July 1, 2010, HitQuarters, The songs Akon recorded with Stephens were brought to the attention of Universal’s imprint SRC Records. In an interview with HitQuarters SRC A&R Jerome “Knobody” Foster said, “What caught my attention right away was “Lonely”, and I said, ‘this kid is official – this is a huge record.” Foster and SRC CEO Steve Rifkind immediately boarded a private plane to Atlanta to meet the young artist. Akon knew of Foster’s work as producer Knobody and so there was a mutual respect for one another and the pair hit it off.Akon’s solo debut album, Trouble, was released on June 29, 2004. It spawned the singles “Locked Up”, “Lonely”, “Belly Dancer (Bananza)”, “Pot of Gold” and “Ghetto”. “Locked Up” reached the number 8 position in the US and number 5 in the UK. “Ghetto” became a radio hit when it was remixed by DJ Green Lantern to include verses from rappers 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. 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’s door with him uttering the word “Konvict”.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 number of video requests, Akon’s “Lonely” became the longest-running single on the top of the chart, spanning over fifteen weeks. Akon was then featured on two other singles, P-Money’s “Keep on Callin’” off the album Magic City, and the other with New Zealand rapper Savage with the single “Moonshine”, which had become a success in both New Zealand and Australia, reaching number one in the New Zealand charts. A year later in 2005, he made his first critically acclaimed guest appearance on Young Jeezy’s debut album, (Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101), with the song “Soul Survivor”. In December the same year, his manager Robert Montanez was killed in a shooting after a dispute in New Jersey.In 2006, Akon and Young Jeezy suggested plans for a collaborative album.Reid, Shaheem. Saga Of Young Jeezy, Akon Continues With Possible Duet LP {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109025528www.mtv.com/news/articles/1534336/20060614/jeezy_young.jhtml |date=January 9, 2010 }}, MTV News, June 15, 2006.Petipas, Jolene. Young Jeezy Teams With Akon For Collabo CD {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127184238sohh.com/articles/article.php/10420 |date=January 27, 2007 }}, SOHH, December 7, 2006.Konvicted“>2006–2008: Konvicted
File:Akon.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Akon performing at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte, 2007]]Akon started his new record label KonLive Distribution under Interscope Records. His second album, Konvicted, was released in November 2006 and 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 US. The album was certified platinum after seven weeks, and after sixteen weeks it was certified double platinum. It stayed in the top twenty of the Billboard 200 for 28 consecutive weeks and peaked at number two on four occasions. On November 20, 2007, the RIAA certified the album ‘triple platinum’ with 3 million units sold in the US.The album included collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Styles P. The first single “Smack That” (featuring Eminem) was released in August 2006 and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks. 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 was fueled by its number six debut on Hot Digital Songs with 67,000 downloads. The record has since been broken several times. “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”.WEB, Akon’s “Smack That” receives Grammy nomination,www.republicrecords.com/akons-smack-that-receives-a-grammy-nomination/, dead,www.republicrecords.com/akons-smack-that-receives-a-grammy-nomination/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140309035847www.republicrecords.com/akons-smack-that-receives-a-grammy-nomination/,">web.archive.org/web/20140309035847www.republicrecords.com/akons-smack-that-receives-a-grammy-nomination/, March 9, 2014, March 8, 2014, Republic Records, “I Wanna Love You”, featuring Snoop Dogg, was the second single released in September, it would go on to earn Akon his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and Snoop’s second. “I Wanna Love You” topped the US charts for two consecutive weeks. In January 2007, a third single “Don’t Matter” which earned him his first solo number one and second consecutive Hot 100 chart-topper was released. “Mama Africa” was released as a European single in July 2007, making it the fourth overall single from the album. To coincide with the release of the deluxe edition of the album “Sorry, Blame It on Me” debuted in August 2007 on the Hot 100 at number seven.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.Winning, Brolin. “Akon – Got It Locked”, MP3.com, October 23, 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929230835www.mp3.com/features/stories/6856.html |date=September 29, 2007 }}(File:GwenStefaniAndAkon.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Akon performing with Gwen Stefani on The Sweet Escape Tour)He produced and featured on Gwen Stefani’s “The Sweet Escape” which has reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Akon performed at the American leg of Live Earth. He later recorded a remix of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” by Michael Jackson for the 25th-anniversary rerelease of Jackson’s Thriller. He also worked with bachata group Aventura and Reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel on All Up 2 You. The song received two nominations at the Premios Lo Nuestro 2010 for “Urban Song of the Year” and “Video Collaboration of the Year”. He signed Jayko, a Hispanic R&B and Reggaeton artist, to his label.Freedom“>2008–2009: Freedom
Akon released his third album Freedom on December 2, 2008, which spawned four singles: “Right Now (Na Na Na)”, “I’m So Paid” (featuring Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy), “Beautiful” (featuring Colby O’Donis and Kardinal Offishall) and “We Don’t Care”. Freedom was certified platinum in the US. Rap singer Nelly suggested that Akon, Pharrell, and T-Pain had talked about forming a rap supergroup in 2009.WEB, Goldstein, Melissa, October 23, 2008, Pharrell, T-Pain, Nelly, Akon Unite for Supergroup,www.spin.com/2008/10/pharrell-t-pain-nelly-akon-unite-supergroup/, live,web.archive.org/web/20180405153013/https://www.spin.com/2008/10/pharrell-t-pain-nelly-akon-unite-supergroup/, April 5, 2018, April 5, 2018, Spin, Akon and Konvict Muzik produced hip hop/rock group Flipsyde’s 2009 release, State of Survival, released via KonLive Distribution and Cherrytree Records.WEB, Flipsyde’s Official MySpace,www.myspace.com/flipsyde, live,web.archive.org/web/20140107174700/https://myspace.com/flipsyde, January 7, 2014, February 23, 2014, He was also the executive producer of Kardinal Offishall’s fourth solo album Not 4 Sale. The first single “Dangerous”, which featured Akon peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. He co-wrote Kon Live artist Lady Gaga’s hit “Just Dance”, and which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.After the unexpected death of Michael Jackson, who Akon was working with, Akon released a tribute song called “Cry Out of Joy”. Akon said he was close friends with Jackson near the end of Jackson’s life in an interview with UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning ‘Blues & Soul’ in October 2008.WEB, December 1, 2008, Akon interview by Pete Lewis, ‘Blues & Soul’ December 2008,www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/364/out_of_akon_do_big_interviews_grow/, live,www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/364/out_of_akon_do_big_interviews_grow/," title="web.archive.org/web/20120229120713www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/364/out_of_akon_do_big_interviews_grow/,">web.archive.org/web/20120229120713www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/364/out_of_akon_do_big_interviews_grow/, February 29, 2012, July 24, 2011, Bluesandsoul.com, In July 2008, a song called “Hold My Hand”, an R&B duet/collaboration between Michael Jackson and Akon, circulated the internet. It was not included in the tracklist for Freedom as Akon previously stated. During an interview with Tavis Smiley, Akon said that Jackson had planned on a high-profile release including a music video until the track had leaked. This is Jackson’s last known song before he died on June 25, 2009. Akon finished work on the song for Jackson’s posthumous album, Michael, and it was released as a single in November 2010.Akon co-wrote and recorded “Put It on My Tab” with New Kids on the Block for their 2008 reunion album The Block.WEB, August 1, 2008, New Kids On The Block,nkotb.com/blog/2008/08/donnie-talks-music, dead,nkotb.com/blog/2008/08/donnie-talks-music/," title="web.archive.org/web/20090524215941nkotb.com/blog/2008/08/donnie-talks-music/,">web.archive.org/web/20090524215941nkotb.com/blog/2008/08/donnie-talks-music/, May 24, 2009, January 2, 2010, Nkotb.com, He also co-wrote and produced Leona Lewis’ single “Forgive Me” and worked with X Factor 2008 winner Alexandra Burke on her debut album. He later worked with Whitney Houston for her 2009 comeback album I Look to You, appearing on the track “Like I Never Left”.WEB, Vena, Jocelyn, July 28, 2008, Whitney & AKon Collab,www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591675/20080728/houston_whitney.jhtml, live,www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591675/20080728/houston_whitney.jhtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20090722031256www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591675/20080728/houston_whitney.jhtml,">web.archive.org/web/20090722031256www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591675/20080728/houston_whitney.jhtml, July 22, 2009, July 24, 2011, MTV, Akon collaborated with Pitbull on the single “Shut It Down” from the album “Rebelution” and worked with Matisyahu to remix his single “One Day” on his album Light.WEB, Ashley Iasimone, January 15, 2010, Matisyahu, ‘One Day’ (Remix) Feat. Akon – New Song,www.spinner.com/2010/01/15/matisyahu-one-day-remix-feat-akon-new-song/, live,www.spinner.com/2010/01/15/matisyahu-one-day-remix-feat-akon-new-song/," title="web.archive.org/web/20120403002206www.spinner.com/2010/01/15/matisyahu-one-day-remix-feat-akon-new-song/,">web.archive.org/web/20120403002206www.spinner.com/2010/01/15/matisyahu-one-day-remix-feat-akon-new-song/, April 3, 2012, June 6, 2010, Spinner, He also co-produced singer Natalia Kills’ debut single, “Mirrors”, from her debut album, Perfectionist. IsThereSomethingICanDo.com, launched On March 25, 2009, The social action collaboration project between the artists Peter Buffett and Akon has partnered with DoSomething.org, to coincide with the release of “Blood Into Gold”. The song focused on human trafficking and featured both artists.WEB, March 25, 2009, Is There Something I Can Do?,www.dosomething.org/istheresomethingicando, live,www.dosomething.org/istheresomethingicando," title="web.archive.org/web/20110203032317www.dosomething.org/istheresomethingicando,">web.archive.org/web/20110203032317www.dosomething.org/istheresomethingicando, February 3, 2011, February 3, 2011, David Guetta collaborated with Akon in “Sexy Bitch”, the first house track by Akon. The song reached number 1 in more than six countries and charted at 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. He produced and recorded “Oh Africa” for the 2010 World Cup with Pepsi.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $13 million in 2011, $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008.Stadium album and hiatus“>2010–2018: Unreleased Stadium album and hiatus
A single, “Angel”, produced by Guetta, was released in September 2010, which peaked at number 56 on the US Billboard charts, significantly lower than his previous outings.WEB, FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!,www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691, dead,www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691," title="web.archive.org/web/20100221171432www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691,">web.archive.org/web/20100221171432www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691, February 21, 2010, September 3, 2016, Akon performed the song during the 2010 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.WEB, October 22, 2010, Fashion Show Scoop: Akon,vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/2010/10/22/fashion-show-scoop-akon/, dead,vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/2010/10/22/fashion-show-scoop-akon," title="web.archive.org/web/20101203061946vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/2010/10/22/fashion-show-scoop-akon,">web.archive.org/web/20101203061946vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/2010/10/22/fashion-show-scoop-akon, December 3, 2010, February 17, 2011, victoriassecret.com, Akon travelled to Jamaica to work with Damian, Julian and Stephen Marley.WEB, January 24, 2012, Akon in Jamaica hanging with the Marley brothers - Damien Marley,www.zimbio.com/Damien+Marley/articles/XlsNm3VHume/Akon+Jamaica+hanging+Marley+brothers, dead,www.zimbio.com/Damien+Marley/articles/XlsNm3VHume/Akon+Jamaica+hanging+Marley+brothers," title="archive.today/20130210041556www.zimbio.com/Damien+Marley/articles/XlsNm3VHume/Akon+Jamaica+hanging+Marley+brothers,">archive.today/20130210041556www.zimbio.com/Damien+Marley/articles/XlsNm3VHume/Akon+Jamaica+hanging+Marley+brothers, February 10, 2013, April 30, 2012, Zimbio, Around the same time, Akon collaborated with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on “Kush”, charting on number 36 on the Billboard charts. The single was first intended to from Dr. Dre’s forthcoming album Detox; however, it was removed from the final album track list, with the album eventually being unreleased. He also contributed “(We Are the World: 25 for Haiti)”, a charity single in aid of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. After an almost three-year hiatus from solo work, Akon released the promotional single “Dirty Work”, featuring Wiz Khalifa, which was released in February 2013, peaking at number 31 on the Rhythmic Billboard charts.MAGAZINE, Rhythmic Songs, Billboard,www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40/2013-03-23, live, November 28, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180925143658/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40/2013-03-23, September 25, 2018, Later that year, on November 11, 2013, Akon released a standalone single titled “So Blue”.WEB, January 2013, iTunes - Music - So Blue - Single by Akon,itunes.apple.com/us/album/so-blue-single/id736330884, live,web.archive.org/web/20141102092416/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/so-blue-single/id736330884, November 2, 2014, October 6, 2014, iTunes, On January 1, 2015, Akon released five singles from Stadium. He also announced that the album would be a quintuple album, broken up into five genres (Euro, Pop, Urban, Island & World).WEB, January 2, 2015, Akon Announces New Quintuple Album ‘Stadium’; Releases Five Songs - Fashionably-Early,www.fashionably-early.com/2015/01/01/akon-announces-new-quintuple-album-stadium-releases-five-songs/, live,www.fashionably-early.com/2015/01/01/akon-announces-new-quintuple-album-stadium-releases-five-songs/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150102021025www.fashionably-early.com/2015/01/01/akon-announces-new-quintuple-album-stadium-releases-five-songs/,">web.archive.org/web/20150102021025www.fashionably-early.com/2015/01/01/akon-announces-new-quintuple-album-stadium-releases-five-songs/, January 2, 2015, January 2, 2015, Fashionably-Early, All singles failed to chart.In November 2015, Akon announced via his official website that he was planning to release his fourth album Stadium in four versions: Stadium-Island, Stadium-Urban, Stadium-World and Stadium-House.WEB, October 30, 2015, STADIUM,www.akon.com/stadium, dead,www.akon.com/stadium," title="web.archive.org/web/20160304071824www.akon.com/stadium,">web.archive.org/web/20160304071824www.akon.com/stadium, March 4, 2016, August 30, 2016, These editions of the album will be available exclusively via the Stadium mobile app which is supported by ads but allows fans to stream the albums.WEB, R&B star Akon to debut new albums on his own ‘Stadium’ app — Akon.com – Official Website,www.akon.com/archives/3308, dead,www.akon.com/archives/3308," title="web.archive.org/web/20151224180608www.akon.com/archives/3308,">web.archive.org/web/20151224180608www.akon.com/archives/3308, December 24, 2015, November 9, 2015, The album was indefinitely postponed, and might get released in the near future.WEB, [INTERVIEW] Back for an Encore, Akon Details His Musical Renaissance,www.parlemag.com/2019/11/akon-interview/, live,web.archive.org/web/20191115220135/https://www.parlemag.com/2019/11/akon-interview/, November 15, 2019, November 21, 2019, In late 2015 and early 2016, Akon released the singles “Want Some”, “Hypnotized” and “Good Girls Lie”, upon striking a new record deal with Atlantic Records.NEWS, December 11, 2015, Akon Signs With Atlantic Records; Drops New Single ‘Want Some’ – Fashionably Early, en-US, Fashionably Early,www.fashionably-early.com/2015/12/10/akon-signs-with-atlantic-records-drops-new-single-want-some/, live, November 28, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180925104231/https://www.fashionably-early.com/2015/12/10/akon-signs-with-atlantic-records-drops-new-single-want-some/, September 25, 2018, In April 2016, Akon appeared in the Chinese reality TV show I Am a Singer along with the Taiwanese singer Jeff Chang.WEB, 我是æŒæ‰‹4å¼ ä¿¡å“²å¸®å¸®å”±å˜‰å®¾AKon阿肯个人资料,gz.bendibao.com/xiuxian/201645/213918.shtml, live,gz.bendibao.com/xiuxian/201645/213918.shtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20160410102215gz.bendibao.com/xiuxian/201645/213918.shtml,">web.archive.org/web/20160410102215gz.bendibao.com/xiuxian/201645/213918.shtml, April 10, 2016, April 10, 2016, Later that year, he was featured on the remix of Joey Montana’s single “Picky”, and featured alongside Chris Brown on Gucci Mane’s Michael Jackson tribute single “Moonwalk”.In late 2017, he released a collaborative mixtape with Konvict signees entitled Konvict Kartel Vol. 2.WEB, Konvict Kartel Vol. 2 Mixtape by Akon,datpiff.com/mixtape/875685, November 28, 2018, DatPiff, {{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2018, he collaborated with reggaeton singer Ozuna on the bilingual single “Coméntale”, the first time that Akon sang in Spanish in a Latin song. At the time, he stated he had adopted the nickname “El Negreeto” and would be pursuing collaborations with other Spanish-language artists.MAGAZINE, Roiz, Jessica, 27 September 2018, Akon Opens Up About His Comeback, Ozuna Collab and Special Connection With Latin Urban Music, Billboard,www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8477180/akon-talks-comeback-ozuna-collab-latin-urban-exclusive, live, 13 August 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200607095028/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8477180/akon-talks-comeback-ozuna-collab-latin-urban-exclusive, June 7, 2020, El Negreeto, Akonda, and Konnect“>2019–present: Return to music, Akonik Label Group, El Negreeto, Akonda, and Konnect
Akon has announced his new record label Akonik Label Group and will release four studio albums in different genres. In May 2019, Akon released his first Latin single “Get Money”, featuring Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA.WEB, Premiere: Akon a.k.a. El Negreeto and Anuel AA Flex in “Get Money” Video,www.complex.com/music/2019/05/akon-anuel-aa-get-money-video, live,web.archive.org/web/20190716174419/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/05/akon-anuel-aa-get-money-video, July 16, 2019, July 16, 2019, Complex Networks, WEB, May 31, 2019, GET MONEY - Single by Akon & Anuel AA,music.apple.com/us/album/get-money-single/1466087753, live,web.archive.org/web/20190716171037/https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-money-single/1466087753, July 16, 2019, July 16, 2019, It was intended to be the lead single for his fourth album El Negreeto but didn’t appear on the final version of the album. The album was expected to be released on August 30, 2019, but was pushed back and released on October 4, 2019. On September 6, 2019, Akon released “Cómo No” featuring Mexican-American singer Becky G, as the lead single from El Negreeto.WEB, Alston, Trey, Akon Breaks Down His Journey Into Reggaeton With Becky G And New Album El Negreeto,www.mtv.com/news/3137935/akon-como-no-becky-g-interview/, live,www.mtv.com/news/3137935/akon-como-no-becky-g-interview/," title="web.archive.org/web/20190909025750www.mtv.com/news/3137935/akon-como-no-becky-g-interview/,">web.archive.org/web/20190909025750www.mtv.com/news/3137935/akon-como-no-becky-g-interview/, September 9, 2019, 2019-09-11, MTV News, en, He released the album Akonda on October 25, 2019,WEB, Magett, Sonya, October 24, 2019, East Coast, West Coast, Worldwide: Akon’s Business Ventures Are Legend, but His New Music Enterprise Is One of His Most Boundary Breaking Yet,thegrapevine.theroot.com/east-coast-west-coast-worldwide-akon-s-business-vent-1839322620, live,web.archive.org/web/20191025025139/https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/east-coast-west-coast-worldwide-akon-s-business-vent-1839322620, October 25, 2019, 2019-10-25, The Grapevine, and his sixth album, Konnect, in December of the same year.WEB, Diallo, Aziz Malick, November 27, 2019, Akon assure qu’un collaboration est à venir avec Booba et... Gims, Akon says a collaboration is coming up with Booba and... Gims,www.afrik.com/actu-rap-akon-assure-qu-une-collaboration-est-a-venir-avec-booba-et-gims, live,web.archive.org/web/20191128123029/https://www.afrik.com/actu-rap-akon-assure-qu-une-collaboration-est-a-venir-avec-booba-et-gims, November 28, 2019, November 28, 2019, Afrik, fr,Philanthropy
Akon also started a project Akon Lighting Africa in 2014 which provides electricity in 15 countries of Africa.WEB, June 2, 2015, Akon unveils new solar campaign for Africa,www.insightnews.com/news/13643-akon-unveils-new-solar-campaign-for-africa, dead,www.insightnews.com/news/13643-akon-unveils-new-solar-campaign-for-africa," title="web.archive.org/web/20150705062734www.insightnews.com/news/13643-akon-unveils-new-solar-campaign-for-africa,">web.archive.org/web/20150705062734www.insightnews.com/news/13643-akon-unveils-new-solar-campaign-for-africa, July 5, 2015, InsightNews, NEWS, Akon lights Africa for better future, enca,www.enca.com/world/akon-lights-africa-better-future, live, July 3, 2015,www.enca.com/world/akon-lights-africa-better-future," title="web.archive.org/web/20170825144902www.enca.com/world/akon-lights-africa-better-future,">web.archive.org/web/20170825144902www.enca.com/world/akon-lights-africa-better-future, August 25, 2017, WEB, June 8, 2015, Musician Akon works to light up Africa,edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/06/08/segment-walker-vause-akon-electricity-africa.cnn, live,edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/06/08/segment-walker-vause-akon-electricity-africa.cnn," title="web.archive.org/web/20180206160643edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/06/08/segment-walker-vause-akon-electricity-africa.cnn,">web.archive.org/web/20180206160643edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/06/08/segment-walker-vause-akon-electricity-africa.cnn, February 6, 2018, July 3, 2015, CNN, He also launched his own charity for underprivileged children in Africa called Konfidence Foundation.Akon was included as a guest appearance in Pitbull’s “I Believe That We Will Win (World Anthem)” official music video, in which all proceeds from the song’s sales, streaming and views are being donated to Feeding America and the Anthony Robbins Foundation as relief to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.WEB, Pitbull - I Believe That We Will Win, May 7, 2020,www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxMaHi91RkE,ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/ZxMaHi91RkE, October 29, 2021, May 8, 2020, YouTube, {{cbignore}}Akon City
In 2018, Akon announced he was working with the Senegalese government to build a tourist city with a cryptocurrency-based economy named Akon City, using Akon’s own cryptocurrency, Akoin, at the transactional center.WEB, Mary Meisenzahl, 15 January 2020, Singer Akon has finalized plans to build a 2,000-acre city in Senegal that’s powered by his cryptocurrency, Akoin,www.businessinsider.com/akon-cryptocurrency-akoin-city-senegal-2020-1?r=US&IR=T, live,web.archive.org/web/20200725020925/https://www.businessinsider.com/akon-cryptocurrency-akoin-city-senegal-2020-1?r=US&IR=T, July 25, 2020, 18 January 2020, Business Insider, On January 13, 2020, Akon shared on Twitter that the agreements for the city have been finalized and the project is underway. He captioned a photo of himself with Senegal president Macky Sall “Looking forward to hosting you there in the future.“WEB, 13 January 2020, Just finalized the agreement for AKON CITY in Senegal. Looking forward to hosting you there in the future,twitter.com/Akon/status/1216803497057931264, live,web.archive.org/web/20200118071654/https://twitter.com/Akon/status/1216803497057931264, January 18, 2020, 18 January 2020, In June 2020, it was announced that the engineering and consulting firm KE International (the same firm responsible for building Mwale Medical and Technology City) had been awarded a $6 billion contract to build the city.WEB, June 4, 2020, KE International awarded US $6 Billion construction contract for Akon City, Senegal,www.prweb.com/releases/ke_international_awarded_us_6_billion_construction_contract_for_akon_city_senegal/prweb17165260.htm, live,web.archive.org/web/20200617155241/https://www.prweb.com/releases/ke_international_awarded_us_6_billion_construction_contract_for_akon_city_senegal/prweb17165260.htm, June 17, 2020, 2020-06-19, Cision, Cision PRWEB, Phase 1 of construction, which was due to begin in 2023 and be completed in 2026, is to include roads, a hospital, residences, hotels, a police station, a waste facility, a school, and a solar power plant.The project has not begun construction, well past schedule; locals are concerned about a lack of progress. On September 1, 2020, Akon told a news conference that he had laid the first stone of the $6 billion city.WEB, Okogba, Emmanuel, 2 September 2020, Senegal: Singer Akon Plans $6bn City in Senegal Homeland,allafrica.com/stories/202009020069.html, live,web.archive.org/web/20200923004217/https://allafrica.com/stories/202009020069.html, September 23, 2020, September 3, 2020, allAfrica.com, Vanguard, en, “The stone itself sits at the bottom of a dirt track in a field; a small placard advertising the megaproject has fallen off it.“WEB, March 9, 2022, Singer Akon’s Senegalese ‘Wakanda’ city unstarted, locals left in dark,www.africanews.com/2021/09/03/singer-akon-s-senegalese-wakanda-city-unstarted-locals-left-in-dark/, live,web.archive.org/web/20220929171044/https://www.africanews.com/2021/09/03/singer-akon-s-senegalese-wakanda-city-unstarted-locals-left-in-dark/, September 29, 2022, AfricanNews.com, A suit has been brought against Akon in the United States by Devyne Stephens for a debt of almost 4 million dollars borrowed as part of the implementation of his futuristic city project. Stephens said that Akon City and Akoin are part of a fraudulent scheme.WEB, March 17, 2022, “Akon City” project: the singer accused of fraud and brought to justice,worldh24.com/blog/en/akon-city-project-the-singer-accused-of-fraud-and-brought-to-justice, live,web.archive.org/web/20220929171045/https://worldh24.com/blog/en/akon-city-project-the-singer-accused-of-fraud-and-brought-to-justice, September 29, 2022, Worldh24.com, WEB, March 10, 2022, Akon Accused of Running ‘Ponzi Schemes’,popculture.com/celebrity/news/akon-accused-of-running-ponzi-schemes/, live,web.archive.org/web/20220929171045/https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/akon-accused-of-running-ponzi-schemes/, September 29, 2022, popculture.com,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 and freebies. Akon has said that people have mistaken his brothers for him many times in Atlanta, which is what the show is based on.{{When|date=July 2023}}Sawjani, Archna. Akon: Real Talk {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720111502allhiphop.com/blogs/alternatives/archive/2007/08/06/18367247.aspx |date=July 20, 2008 }}, AllHipHop.com, August 6, 2007.In 2006, it was announced that Akon is planning to work on a full-length movie titled Illegal Alien, which will be based on his life.MAGAZINE, November 14, 2006, TLC’s Chilli Inks With Akon’s Konvict Muzik,www.billboard.com/articles/news/56663/tlcs-chilli-inks-with-akons-konvict-muzik, live, Billboard,www.billboard.com/articles/news/56663/tlcs-chilli-inks-with-akons-konvict-muzik," title="web.archive.org/web/20140222032234www.billboard.com/articles/news/56663/tlcs-chilli-inks-with-akons-konvict-muzik,">web.archive.org/web/20140222032234www.billboard.com/articles/news/56663/tlcs-chilli-inks-with-akons-konvict-muzik, February 22, 2014, March 8, 2014, Several sources have reported that actor Mekhi Phifer will portray Akon in the film.WEB, October 10, 2006, Akon To Turn His Life Into A Movie,www.contactmusic.com/news/akon-to-turn-his-life-story-into-a-movie_1010400, live,www.contactmusic.com/news/akon-to-turn-his-life-story-into-a-movie_1010400," title="web.archive.org/web/20140309011243www.contactmusic.com/news/akon-to-turn-his-life-story-into-a-movie_1010400,">web.archive.org/web/20140309011243www.contactmusic.com/news/akon-to-turn-his-life-story-into-a-movie_1010400, March 9, 2014, March 8, 2014, ContactMusic, Akon confirmed in an August 2007 interview with the Polish website INTERIA.PL that he worked on a movie called “Cocaine Cowboys”, which tells the story of Jon Roberts, the main pilot of the MedellÃn Cartel.“muzyka.interia.pl/szukaj/news/akon-intensywnie,966807" title="archive.today/20120712022252muzyka.interia.pl/szukaj/news/akon-intensywnie,966807">Akon intensywnie”, INTERIA.PL, August 28, 2007.On November 30, 2007, Akon entered the Big Brother house in (Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2) as a guest. He also appeared on the edition of November 17, 2008, of WWE Raw, with Santino Marella citing him in his speech.He collaborated with music director duo Vishal–Shekhar and the English and Hindi lyrics of “Chammak Challo” as a part of the soundtrack for the 2011 Bollywood film Ra.One.WEB, April 16, 2010, Hip-hop meets Bollywood,www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hip-hop-meets-bollywood-22719, live,www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hip-hop-meets-bollywood-22719," title="web.archive.org/web/20121102161213www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hip-hop-meets-bollywood-22719,">web.archive.org/web/20121102161213www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hip-hop-meets-bollywood-22719, November 2, 2012, May 1, 2010, Hollywood Reporter, Akon made his acting debut appearing alongside an ensemble cast in the 2012 Nigerian-American film Black November. In 2014, he starred alongside Hayden Christensen and Adrien Brody in the action movie, American Heist,WEB, Jack E Kent, January 15, 2015, American Heist (2014),www.imdb.com/title/tt2923316/, live,www.imdb.com/title/tt2923316/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140909043731www.imdb.com/title/tt2923316/,">web.archive.org/web/20140909043731www.imdb.com/title/tt2923316/, September 9, 2014, October 6, 2014, IMDb, directed by Sarik Andreasyan.Personal life
In 2007, Akon claims that he has six children with three women in an interview with Blender,Who Does Akon Think He Is? Blender, September 19, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930180407www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=2811 |date=September 30, 2007 }} all of whom he has great relationships with. He says he wishes to keep his family protected from the public eye.WEB, Founders,konfidence.org/founders.php, dead,konfidence.org/founders.php," title="web.archive.org/web/20070912080912konfidence.org/founders.php,">web.archive.org/web/20070912080912konfidence.org/founders.php, September 12, 2007, Konfidence Foundation, Akon is a Muslim and a teetotaler.WEB, Yuan, Jada, Akon Confesses: ‘I Drink Shirley Temples All the Time’, Grub Street, New York (magazine), New York Magazine, 9 June 2009,www.grubstreet.com/2009/06/akon_confesses_i_drink_shirley.html, 8 March 2024, July 30, 2017,www.grubstreet.com/2009/06/akon_confesses_i_drink_shirley.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170730215950www.grubstreet.com/2009/06/akon_confesses_i_drink_shirley.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170730215950www.grubstreet.com/2009/06/akon_confesses_i_drink_shirley.html, live, Akon owns a diamond mine in South Africa and denies the existence of blood diamonds (also known as “conflict diamonds“) saying, “I don’t believe in conflict diamonds. That’s just a movie. Think about it. Nobody thought or cared about conflict diamonds until Blood Diamond was released.“Egere-Cooper, Matilda. Akon: So what if I own a diamond mine? {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817194119www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/akon-so-what-if-i-own-a-diamond-mine-5332169.html |date=August 17, 2017 }}. Independent, February 16, 2007. “’That’s just a movie. Think about it. Ain’t nobody thought about nothing about no conflict diamonds until the movie came out. Where was all that shit before the movie? That’s the problem with people - they believe everything they read or see on TV.” He slaps my knee and emits a hearty laugh. He’s getting excited. “It’s no different from The Blair Witch Project. Everybody thought that was real. That campaign and marketing was incredible. After that, they’re getting Oscars. Unless you go to Sierra Leone and see what’s going down, don’t believe everything you’re reading or see on TV. Trust me.’ [...] Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam has spoken.” However, he has since stated that he does accept that blood diamonds exist and that he is partial-owner of an African mine that is dedicated to avoiding the use of blood diamonds while also donating profits to local communities.WEB, Akon Interview with Howard Stern part 4 of 4,www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpd0N4YGfJQ, live,web.archive.org/web/20151202144110/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpd0N4YGfJQ, December 2, 2015, October 11, 2015, YouTube, Akon appeared on the ITV2 show The Hot Desk. He stated on the show that he is a fan of the English Premier League club Chelsea F.C.Controversies
In April 2007, Akon drew criticism for an onstage act that included simulated sex with Danah Alleyne — a 15-year-old girl at the time who is the daughter of a pastor and sister of Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne — at the Zen Nightclub in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago as part of a fake contest, despite the club’s statement to have a 21-years-and-over age requirement.Telesford, Nigel. Akon ‘cons’ Trinidad {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514214327www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161129187|date=May 14, 2007}}, Trinidad Express, April 14, 2007.Ramnarine, Kristy. Zen owner: for club {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701110512www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161131759|date=July 1, 2007}}, Trinidad Express, April 20, 2007. The incident was filmed by Akon’s crew and later uploaded to the Internet. On April 20, 2007, local media, channel CCN 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.Leeds, Jeff. Verizon Drops Pop Singer From Ads {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202024825www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/arts/music/10akon.html|date=February 2, 2017}}, New York Times, May 10, 2007. 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”.Bozell, L. Brent III. Rapper Not a “Perfect Gentleman” {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210154www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/lbbcolumns/2007/0524.asp|date=September 30, 2007}}, ParentsTV.org, May 24, 2007.Right wing political commentators Michelle Malkin, Laura Ingraham, and Bill O’Reilly criticized Akon for “degrading women”.Malkin, Michelle. Look who’s promoting a vulgar misogynist {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119211500michellemalkin.com/2007/05/03/look-whos-promoting-a-vulgar-misogynist/|date=November 19, 2009}}, MichelleMalkin.com, May 3, 2007.Pulse Report {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911145152www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/11592|date=September 11, 2007}}, SOHH.com, May 11, 2007. 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.Malkin, Michelle. “Akon’s record company abuses DMCA to stifle criticism on YouTube” {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505053513michellemalkin.com/archives/007446.htm|date=May 5, 2007}}, MichelleMalkin.com, May 3, 2007. The Electronic Frontier Foundation joined Malkin in contesting the removal as a misuse of copyright law, citing fair use.“Malkin Fights Back Against Copyright Law Misuse by Universal Music Group” {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723234737www.eff.org/news/archives/2007_05.php|date=July 23, 2008}}, Electronic Frontier Foundation, May 9, 2007. In May 2007, UMG rescinded its claim to the video, and the video returned to YouTube.In 2010, Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka vehemently protested a planned concert by Akon, saying his music video with Guetta for “Sexy Chick” insulted Buddhism because of the Buddha statue that can be seen several times in the background. Considering the allegations against Akon, the Sri Lankan Government decided not to issue him a visa to enter Sri Lanka.No Visa to Akon {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727170146adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=7584|date=July 27, 2011}}, Ada Derana NewsLegal issues
Akon has stated that he was part of an auto-theft ring and spent three years in prison from 1999 to 2002. However, in April 2008, The Smoking Gun website challenged his claim with court records and interviews with detectives involved in Akon’s case, concluding that he was not convicted of any crime and did not serve time in prison.NEWS, Sisario, Ben, April 17, 2008, Akon’s Rap Sheet Is Revealed, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/arts/17arts-AKONSRAPSHEE_BRF.html, live, February 21, 2017,www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/arts/17arts-AKONSRAPSHEE_BRF.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170206050407www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/arts/17arts-AKONSRAPSHEE_BRF.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170206050407www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/arts/17arts-AKONSRAPSHEE_BRF.html, February 6, 2017, NEWS, April 17, 2008, Report: Akon Embellished Criminal History, Fox News,www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351580,00.html, dead, January 2, 2010,www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351580,00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20130630223833www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351580,00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20130630223833www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351580,00.html, June 30, 2013, Akon’s Con Job {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907033459www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0416081akon1.html |date=September 7, 2009 }}, The Smoking Gun, April 16, 2008. Akon responded to the report by saying that he never spent 3 years in prison, but had many shorter sentences that add up to three years.WEB, Harris, Chris, May 16, 2008, Akon Responds To Smoking Gun Report That He Fabricated His Criminal Past: ‘It Only Helps Me’,www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587614/20080516/akon.jhtml, live,www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587614/20080516/akon.jhtml," title="web.archive.org/web/20090320013719www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587614/20080516/akon.jhtml,">web.archive.org/web/20090320013719www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587614/20080516/akon.jhtml, March 20, 2009, January 2, 2010, MTV News, 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 teen 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.Police: Akon investigation continues {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116095236www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070829%2FENT04%2F70829010 |date=January 16, 2016 }}, Poughkeepsie Journal, August 29, 2007. Akon has said that the incident was staged and that he in fact used the act to set up for the next record.{{dead link|date=May 2021}}{{Better source needed|reason=Most sources say he plead guilty for throwing a fan off stage, but this source claims it was staged.|date=May 2021}} 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 arraigned on the two charges on December 3, 2007, in the town of Fishkill Court.Akon Faces Charges, Poughkeepsie Journal, November 30, 2007. {{dead link|date=May 2021}}Awards and nominations
Discography
(File:Logo Akon.gif|thumb|Akon’s general marketing logo, used from 2003 to 2007)(File:Akon Logo.png|thumb|Akon’s general marketing logo, used since 2008)Studio albums- Trouble (2004)
- Konvicted (2006)
- Freedom (2008)
- El Negreeto (2019)
- Akonda (2019)
Filmography
- Black November (2012)
- American Heist (2014)
- (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) (2016)
Tours
- Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania One-off Concert (2006).www.allafrica.com/" title="web.archive.org/web/19981206063030www.allafrica.com/">Akon comes to region. All Africa Newswire, May 23, 2006.
- Konvicted Tour (July to September 2007, then additional dates in 2008)
- The Sweet Escape Tour with Gwen Stefani (April to July 2007)
- Good Girl Gone Bad Tour with Rihanna (Canadian-leg only, September – December 2008)
- Konvict Muzik Tour with T-Pain (Australia only, October 26–27, 2009)
- Summer Tour, (Brazil-leg only, January to February 2010)
- OMG Tour with Usher (North America Second Leg, April – June 2011)
See also
- List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones
- List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
- List of artists who have had number-one singles on the UK Official Download Chart
- List of artists who reached number one in the United States
References
{{Reflist}}External links
{{Commons category|Akon}}- {{Official website}}
- {{IMDb name|1868102}}
- {{AllMusic|id=p535592|label=Akon}}
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