Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, aka Akon a renowned American-Senegalese rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, businessman, and actor, was born on April 16, 1973. His self-titled debut album’s song “Locked Up” rose to popularity in 2004, making him well-known.
Despite coming from an African musical family, he was brought up to cherish his family’s musical heritage, which enabled him to succeed in the American music industry.
Quick Info
| REAL NAME | Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam |
| NICKNAME | Akon |
| BORN | April 16, 1973 |
| AGE | 50 years old |
| BIRTHPLACE | St.Louis, Missouri |
| NATIONALITY | Senegalese-American |
| PROFESSION | Singer |
| NET WORTH | $60 Million |
| HEIGHT | 1.75m |
| WEIGHT | 78 Kg |
| ZODIAC SIGN | Aries |
Early life
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 16, 1973, Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam is the son of jazz musician ‘Mor Thiam’ and dancer ‘Kine Gueye Thiam’. His brother’s name is ‘Abou Thiam’.
Soon after he was born, his parents relocated to Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, where they remained for seven years. The couple and their family relocated to Jersey City upon their return to the United States. His parents moved to Atlanta, Georgia, when he started high school, leaving him and his older brother in Jersey City.
Akon was a mischievous student who frequently disobeyed the rules. After fighting with other children, he eventually began to hang out with the neighborhood troublemakers. He grew up with a deep interest in and love for music as a result of his family’s musical influence. In his early years, he became proficient in the guitar, drums, djembe, and five other instruments.
His love and passion for music enabled him to turn his life around even though he was hanging out with gangsters in New Jersey. He started performing and singing when he was a teenager. He later enrolled at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, but left after just one semester. Once he was out of the institution, he was all music.
He began by recording music in his house. At this time, he grew close to Wyclef Jean of the Fugees. Akon signed his record deal in 2003.
Net Worth
Akon’s varied business endeavors, charitable endeavors, and prosperous music career are the sources of his estimated $60 million net worth in 2023. Over the years, he has been able to maintain his relevance and financial success thanks to his ability to adapt and innovate across multiple industries.
He has worked with many well-known musicians, including Michael Jackson, Gwen Stefani, and Eminem. His fan base has grown as a result of these partnerships, which have also helped him financially.
Record Label
Because of his entrepreneurial spirit, Akon started his record label, Konvict Muzik, which has helped him amass a larger net worth. Notable musicians like T-Pain have had their careers launched by the label. He established KonLive Distribution in 2007 in collaboration with Interscope Records. He would sign musicians like Lady Gaga and Kardinal Offishall under this imprint. Akon expanded his career by producing music and collaborating with musicians such as David Guetta, Sean Paul, and Leona Lewis.
Investments
He introduced his clothing brand, Konvict Clothing, with an urban streetwear aesthetic in 2007. In an attempt to create a solar-powered charging device, he has also ventured into the technology sector, taking on the role of Chief Creative Officer at Royole, a flexible display company.
Akon is building a futuristic city in Senegal called Akon City, which is one of his most ambitious projects. The city will use Akon’s cryptocurrency, Akoin, as its main form of payment and strives to run entirely on renewable energy.
Philanthropy
Akon’s charitable activities have enhanced his brand value overall in addition to garnering him recognition. He started the Akon Lighting Africa project in 2014. Millions of people in rural Africa are to be connected to the grid by installing solar-powered home systems and streetlights. Numerous people’s lives have been improved by the project, which has increased the star’s notoriety.
Controversy
He has gotten into a lot of legal disputes and problems. He is thought to have been involved in a car theft ring and spent three years in prison between 1999 and 2002.
Akon faced criminal charges in 2007 after he pushed a fifteen-year-old off the stage after a performance. He was criticized in April 2007 for acting indecently sexually toward a teenage girl in a Trinidad and Tobago club.
Personal Life
From 2010 to 2011, he dated Nicole Bahls; from 2009 to 2010, he dated Cassie Griffin; from 2007 to 2008, he dated Rachel Ritfeld; from 2005 to 2006, he dated Michaela Schaffrath; and from 2005 to 2006, he dated Foxy Brown.
‘Tomeka Thiam’ is said to be Akon’s legal wife out of his four alleged wives. In addition, she is the mother of two children, Alioune Thiam and Alianna Thiam, a boy and a girl. Other reports state that the hair stylist also gave birth to two more children for the singer, ‘Jhavor Thiam’, and ‘Journey Thiam’, who are both boys. This brings the singer’s total family size to four.
Facts
- Akon Owns a Diamond Mine.
- He’s Married Several Times.
- He owns two clothing brands: Konvict Apparel and Aliaune Clothing Line.
- Business is his top priority, not music.
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