Although Akon was born in the United States, he spent his younger years split between Senegal and America until finally settling with his family in Jersey City, New Jersey at the age of fifteen. While living in New Jersey, Akon found himself in trouble, which resulted in time in jail. It was there Akon realized his love and passion for music.
In June 2004, Akon’s first album Trouble debuted. Trouble featured the hits “Lonely” and “Locked Up” which was inspired by Akon’s time in jail. “Lonely” reached the top five on the Billboard Top 100 and “Locked Up” reached the top 10 in the U.S. and the top 5 in the UK.
Akon has also collaborated with hip hop artists Snoop Dogg and Eminem. “Smack That” featured Eminem and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. While proving himself as a successful hip hop artist, Akon also started his own record labels, Konvict Muzic and Kon Live Distribution. He also produced Gwen Stefani’s song “The Sweet Escape” and was featured on her album. Young Hollywood just recently caught up with Akon at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, and heard from pal Ludacris about what a hard working artist he is! With his fast growing success, we are sure to be seeing a lot of great things in the future from this creative singer/songwriter/producer!
Fun Facts
Carey was handed the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Crazy In Love hitmaker landed the Outstanding Contribution to the Arts gong on Sunday night (09Nov08).
British singer Leona Lewis received two...
NELLY has teamed up with AKON, T-PAIN and PHARRELL WILLIAMS to form a rap supergroup.
The Hot In Herre hitmaker, who was previously rumoured to be working with T.I., revealed his plans to join fo...
LINDSAY LOHAN is facing a lawsuit from three men who claim she hijacked a car and held them hostage last July (08).
Ronnie Blake, Jakon Sutter and Dante Nigro accuse the star of commandeering the...
R+B star AKON has signed British hip-hop artist SWAY to his record label.
Akon was so impressed by the star's material he has signed him to his Kon Live label.
Sway - real name Derek Safo - sa...
Rapper LIL WAYNE looks set to dominate the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards - he's been nominated in a massive 12 categories.
The star leads the way with a variety of nods - his album Tha Carter III has p...
AKON's court date to face misdemeanour endangerment and harassment charges in relation to a "fan-throwing" incident has been postponed until next month (Sep08).
The Smack That hitmaker was perfo...
R + B star AKON was shocked when he went to see a film with MICHAEL JACKSON - because the pop legend insisted on wearing his pyjamas to the movie theatre.
Akon - who recently collaborated with th...
RandB singer AKON is set to oversee MICHAEL JACKSON's comeback album, after hinting he has signed the King Of Pop to his own record label.
Jackson enlisted the talents of the Smack That hitmaker ...
AKON has denied WHITNEY HOUSTON's new track LIKE I NEVER LEFT is about the singer's former lovers.
The RandB star teamed up with the pop legend to record the song for Houston's forthcoming new al...
RandB star AKON considered retiring from the music business after recording a duet with MICHAEL JACKSON - because he had fulfilled one of his lifelong ambitions.
The Smack That hitmaker teamed up...
