Akon

Akon is the stage name of Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973). He is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and entrepreneur of Senegalese descent. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he grew up in Senegal and in the United States before pursuing a music career in Atlanta, Georgia. He adopted the name Akon early in his career as part of his stage persona.

Rising to prominence in the mid-2000s, Akon released his debut album Trouble (2004), which spawned the hit singles Locked Up and Lonely. The follow-up album Konvicted (2006) achieved international success with songs such as Smack That and I Wanna Love You. His music blends R&B, hip hop, pop, and world music influences, and he has continued to release singles and collaborate with artists across genres.

In addition to his recording career, Akon founded the record labels Konvict Muzik (2004) and KonLive Distribution, establishing a platform for new acts and broader music distribution. He has pursued various business ventures and public projects beyond music, including humanitarian and development initiatives.

Philanthropy and development work has been a notable aspect of Akon’s career. He launched Akon Lighting Africa, a project started in 2014 to expand access to electricity in rural regions of Africa through solar energy. He has also championed plans for Akon City, a proposed solar-powered city in Senegal intended to showcase sustainable energy and technology on a large scale.

Musically, Akon is known for a global pop and R&B appeal, with a catalog that includes collaborations with artists from multiple genres. He remains a prominent figure in both the music industry and in broader cultural and philanthropic discussions.