The Senegalese American R&B artist Akon, initially known as Aliaune Thiam, is one of the most versatile people in the entertainment industry; he is a singer, rapper, songwriter, actor, record producer, and also a businessman. While “Smack That” and “Locked Up” are among Akon’s best-known tracks, fans of many different genres commonly hear Akon’s unique singing style in their favorite tracks.
Akon has found success in the music industry not just as a solo singer but also as a businessman, having built not just one but two successful record labels. Moreover, he also earned spots in “Billboard Hot 100” and “Billboard 200” for his song released, “Locked Up” and “Konvicted,” and he was also the top-selling master ringtone artist globally, according to Guinness World Records.
Akon's Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 5 ft 10 in 1.78 m |
|---|---|
| Weight | — pounds — kg |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Body Type | Fit |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Facts About Akon
| Nationality | Senegalese-American |
|---|---|
| Estimate Net Worth | $80 million |
| Religion | Muslim |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Birthplace | St. Lois Missouri, USA |
| Birthday | April 16, 1973 |
Akon's Net Worth
The R&B remarkable artist Akon, once known as Aliaune Thiam, has an estimated net worth of $80 million. (1) One of the most prominent names in the music industry, Akon is a well-known artist who transcended the boundaries of hip-hop.
Akon made a commendable $13 million in earnings in 2011. Previously, Akon made $21 million in 2010, which many consider being the peak of his solo career. In 2008 and 2009, he earned $12 million and $20 million, respectively. Akon’s source of income doesn’t only come from his singing career but also from his business endeavors.
Akon’s business, projects, and charity activities
Since his breakthrough, Akon has been associated with several entrepreneurial endeavors. Akon introduced the Konvict Clothing clothing brand in 2008. In the same year, he also launched the more upscale apparel line Aliaune.
Akon is well known for his charity endeavors, especially in his native Senegal. Akon’s most challenging project is the construction of a hyper-city half a mile from the capital of Senegal. The artist’s personal bitcoin currency, known as Akoin, would be used for all transactions in this futuristic municipality.
Akon is well known for his charity endeavors, especially in his native Senegal. Akon’s most challenging project is the construction of a hyper-city half a mile from the capital of Senegal. Akon’s personal bitcoin currency, known as Akoin, would be used for all transactions in this futuristic municipality. Akon allegedly received three square miles of land from Senegal President Macky Sall, which is located around 50 kilometers from Dakar and only a few miles from the Blaise Diagne International Airport.
The first entirely cryptocurrency-based city is now being built, with Akon’s own cryptocurrency, Akoin, serving as the transactional center. Akon tweeted on January 13, 2020, that the project had started and that the city’s agreements were settled. The news was revealed in June 2020 that the engineering and consulting company KE International, which also built Mwale Medical and Technology City, had been given a $6 billion contract to establish the city.
Roads, a hospital, homes, hotels, a police station, a recycling facility, a school, and a solar power plant are all part of the first development phase, which is scheduled to be finished in 2023. Akon raised the proper foundation for the $6 billion city on September 1. Addressing four days after the passing of “Black Panther” actor Chadwick Boseman, Akon claimed that the movie had contributed to his goal to educate African-Americans living abroad about their African heritage. (2)
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Akon's Early Life
The famous singer Akon, also known by his real name Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, had his birth date on April 16, 1973, and was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Despite having been born in the United States, Akon has always had strong ties to Senegal. Akon spent a considerable period of his childhood flying back to and from the US and Senegal; he didn’t establish a permanent residency in Newark, New Jersey until he was seven years old.
The talented artist Akon spent the majority of his time in Senegal while picking up knowledge about music from his parents. As what is indicated previously, his parents are also musically inclined. His father is a renowned musician Mor Thiam, and his mother is a professional dancer, Kine Thiam. Due to his parents being musically inclined, he was inspired and managed to master five instruments throughout his formative years, including guitar and drums.
Akon has also loved Tracy Chapman, Black Uhuru, and Bob Marley since he was a kid. Furthermore, Akon had a hard time settling in the United States, and even as a child, he had trouble adjusting. This is relevant to where he resides permanently. Akon’s family leaving him and his older brother to finish high school on their own after moving to Atlanta didn’t change the situation.
The next phase of Akon’s life is a controversial one. Akon was sentenced to three years in jail for his involvement in a gang that committed car theft. However, there is no proof that Akon was ever detained or even found guilty of a crime, as later court documents and interviews would show.
But, there are allegedly recordings of police investigating Akon. Akon revealed that he had spent a total of about three years behind bars and had been in and out of prison.
Akon's Education
The prominent artist Akon finished his high school at Bayonne High School, Henry Snyder High School, and William L. Dickinson High School in New Jersey, the United States. However, after he enrolled at Clark Atlanta University for college, he was dismissed for allegedly disobeying the school regulations. Akon didn’t earn a degree since he wanted to pursue his interest in singing rather than studying. (3)
Controversies
Akon has been linked in several disputes and has run into a lot of legal troubles. He is said to have served three years in prison between 1999 and 2002 for his involvement in a vehicle theft scheme. After pushing a fifteen-year-old off the stage during a concert in 2007, Akon was accused of a crime.
Then, in April 2007, the artist was scrutinized for allegedly having sexual relations with a young girl at a Trinidad and Tobago bar. After he was then condemned for having a sexually suggestive dance with an underage girl at a bar, thus he composed and released an apology song called “Sorry, Blame It on Me.”
Additionally, media coverage in 2018 was generated by the “serious consideration” of Akon running for president of the United States in the 2020 election. (4)
Akon's Wife/Girlfriend and Family Life
Akon has never let his family be the subject of prying eyes. The prominent artist also claimed to have fathered six children from three different women. However, Tomeka Thiam is the only woman to whom Akon is lawfully married. Only two of his children are with her.
In addition to Tomeka Thiam, Akon was also romantically involved with Rosina Bruck, Nicole Bahls, Cassie Griffin, Michaela Schaffrath, Rachel Richfield, Celina Powell, Foxy Brown, Amber Rose, and Susan Owori. (5)
Akon's Career
Akon is the first solo R&B and hip-hop artist to hold both positions at the top and bottom of the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously. Whether or not Akon was detained, he entered the music industry in 2003 with a burning ambition to succeed and prove himself. The person who first showed interest in him was Devyne Stephens, a man who has helped in the growth of artists like Usher.
Akon eventually joined Stephens’ label and produced a variety of songs. These tracks were then heard by producer “Knobody,” which made him encouraged Akon to record his debut album and provide support. In 2004, Akon successfully released his album entitled “Trouble.”
“Locked Up” and “Lonely” were two of this album’s most popular and commercially successful songs. In the years that followed, Akon collaborated with a variety of artists, most notably Jeezy, on his album “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101.”
Due to the singer’s well-earned reputation in the music industry, Akon’s second album, “Konvicted,” was more well-liked than his debut. Within the first week, the song sold 286,000 copies and landed at two on the Billboard Top 200. This album would contain the well-known song “Smack That,” which features Eminem. Akon’s first number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100 was “I Wanna Love You,” which Snoop Dogg also contributed to and was featured on the album.
Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne, who collaborated with Akon on the song “I’m So Paid,” were among the musicians that contributed to his third studio album, “Freedom,” which was released in 2008. Akon also worked during this period as an executive producer for several artists, including Flipsyde, supporting album releases. The rising-to-prominent artist also collaborated with Lady Gaga’s song “Just Dance” in 2008.
Over the next several years, Akon likewise teamed with a wide range of different musicians, including Damien Marley, David Guetta, Gucci Mane, and many more. During this period, the remarkable artist contributed to several albums, but he did not produce as many of his own, which many fans regarded as a reduction in his output.
He also gave a preview of an album called “Stadium,” but it was never made public. With the release of “El Negreeto” in 2019 and the announcement of “Konnect,” Akon made his debut on the Latino music scene. Because of his capabilities as a brilliant producer and a great singer, Akon was one of the most in-demand performers of the 2000s.
Additionally, Akon, 43, is also an actor who has been in the movies “Black November” in 2012 and “American Heist” in 2014. A large portion of his income can be credited to his featured verses and productions and his solo work.
Achievements
Akon’s solo breakthrough album, “Trouble,” which produced five hits, was a resounding achievement after its launch on June 29, 2004. It was not a surprise when the album topped the UK charts in April 2005. The same case happened on his album’s single “Locked Up,” which debuted in the US and UK, earning the spot in 8 and 5, respectively.
“Lonely” peaked at number one in Germany, Australia, and the UK while also reaching number five on the “Billboard Hot 100.” In November 2006, his second album, “Konvicted,” was released publicly. The prominent artists sold 286,000 copies in the first week and reached its four-time peak at number two on the Billboard 200.
Akon received the 2007 American Music Awards for “Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist,” the Billboard Music Awards for “Artist of the Year,” and the Teen Choice Award for “Breakout Artist – Male,” all in the same year.
The album spent a total of 28 weeks in the top 20. The third album, “Freedom,” was released on December 2, 2008. After selling millions of copies worldwide, it received an excellence award in the US and launched four singles. He earned the “BET Hip Hop Award” for “Producer of the Year” in 2008, and in 2009, he got the “Ozone” award for “Artist of the Year (USA & UK).”
He received an “Ozone” award in 2009 for “Artist of the Year (USA & UK).” He also earned accolades for “ASCAP Awards” from 2007 until 2011.
In addition, Akon wrote and produced Lady Gaga’s well-known song “Just Dance,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award at the 51st Grammy Awards for “Best Dance Recording.” The song “Sexy Bitch” by David Guetta and Akon peaked at number five on the “Billboard Hot 100” while being the number one song in over six other nations.
Akon’s Other Endeavors
Akon manages a charity named “Konfidence” for underprivileged children and a diamond mine in South Africa. He additionally manages various charitable shelters. And in 2015, in order to bring power to 14 nations in Africa, he launched “Akon Lighting Africa.”
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Real Estate
Akon, an R&B musician, producer, and actor, has listed his renovated house in Alpharetta, located about 26 miles north of Atlanta, for $6.995 million. The four-story mansion was constructed in 2014, is ultra-modern in architecture, and resembles the singer’s Woodland Hills estate, which was sold for $3.5 million years ago. Public records revealed that Akon paid $1.65 million for the property in 2008 and was listed by Dorsey Alston Realtors. (6)
The renowned artist is said to own a white customized Porsche Panamera, a modified Ferrari 458 Italia, one of his favorite automobiles, a stunning Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, and a further magnificent vehicle, the DartzPrombronSUV. (7)
References
- Becca J G Godwin, Rapper Akon lists icy white N. Fulton home for nearly $7M, retrieved from https://www.ajc.com/news/local/photos-rapper-akon-lists-icy-white-fulton-home-for-nearly/ZVhY8nyebQMWk51FzBwAmI/
- Brandon Baker, A conversation about ‘Akon City’ and speculative urbanization, retrieved from https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/conversation-about-akon-city-and-speculative-urbanization
- A conversation about ‘Akon City’ and speculative urbanization, retrieved from https://spicecinemas.com/akon-net-worth/
The Famous People, Akon Biography, retrieved from https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/akon-13920.php
- Tulsi Katrodiya, Akon Age, Net Worth, Wife, Family & Biography, retrieved from https://www.thewikifeed.com/akon/
- Neal J. Leitereg, R&B singer Akon lists his mansion near Atlanta for nearly $7 million, retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-akon-mansion-20170126-story.html
- The Rich Updates, Akon Net Worth 2022 Forbes, retrieved from https://richupdates.com/akon-net-worth/