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{{Short description|American singer (born 1973)}}
{{Distinguish|Acon (disambiguation){{!}}Acon|A-Kon|Abdus Sattar Akon}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Akon
| image = Akon DF2 4639 (47859034612) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Akon in 2019
| other_names = {{hlist|A-Kon|El Negreeto}}
| birth_name = Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam<ref>{{cite web |title=Akon Reveals His Full Name |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHOWhnRkwM8 |website=YouTube | date=February 13, 2023 |publisher=BigBoyTV |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915050817/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHOWhnRkwM8&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|04|16}}
| birth_place = [[St. Louis]], Missouri, U.S.
| father = [[Mor Thiam]]
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Singer
* songwriter
* rapper
* record producer
* businessman
* philanthropist
}}
| organization = [[Akon Lighting Africa]]
| works = {{hlist|[[Akon discography|Discography]]|[[#Filmography|filmography]]|[[Akon production discography|production]]}}
| children = 9<ref name="9 children">{{Cite web |title=Akon Defends Nick Cannon Having Numerous Kids with Multiple Women, Says That's How Life is Supposed to be |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/akon-defends-nick-cannon-kids-multiple-women/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226164502/https://www.xxlmag.com/akon-defends-nick-cannon-kids-multiple-women/ |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |access-date=December 26, 2022 |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|date=December 21, 2022 }}</ref>
| awards = [[List of awards and nominations received by Akon|Full list]]
| years_active = 1996–present
| module = {{infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| origin = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], U.S.<br>[[Newark, New Jersey]], U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[hip-hop]]|[[Pop music|pop]]|[[dance-pop]]<ref name="allmusic">{{Cite web |last=Loftus |first=Johnny |year=2006 |title=Akon — Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p535592/biography |access-date=May 8, 2008 |website=Allmusic |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017083101/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/akon-mn0000933458 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| label = {{Flatlist|
* [[Konvict Kulture]]
* [[Akonik Label Group|Akonik]]
* [[BMG Rights Management|BMG]]
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
* [[Konvict Muzik|Konvict]]
* [[KonLive Distribution|KonLive]]
* [[Republic Records|Republic]]
* [[Universal Motown Records|Universal Motown]]
* [[Universal Records (1995)|Universal Records]]
* [[SRC Records|SRC]]
* [[UpFront Records|UpFront]]
}}
| website = {{URL|akon.com}}
| module = {{Infobox
| embed = yes|child=yes
| header = Logo
| headerstyle = background:#b0c4de
| data2 = [[File:Akon Logo.png|180px]]
}}
}}
| signature = Akon sig.svg
}}
'''Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam''' (born April 16, 1973), known [[mononym]]ously as '''Akon''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|eɪ|k|ɒ|n}}), is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist. An influential figure in [[world music]], he rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of his single "[[Locked Up (song)|Locked Up]]" (featuring [[Styles P]]). Styled in [[hip-hop]], it preceded the release of his debut studio album ''[[Trouble (Akon album)|Trouble]]'' (2004), which became his commercial breakthrough and spawned the [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]-styled follow-up, "[[Lonely (Akon song)|Lonely]]" the following year.
His second album, ''[[Konvicted]]'' (2006), was met with continued success and was nominated for [[Best Contemporary R&B Album]] at the [[50th Annual Grammy Awards]], while its lead singles, "[[I Wanna Love You (Akon song)|I Wanna Love You]]" (featuring [[Snoop Dogg]]) and "[[Smack That]]" (featuring [[Eminem]]), both received nominations for [[Best Rap/Sung Collaboration]]. The songs simultaneously peaked at numbers one and two on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], respectively, along with two of his singles released the following year: "[[Don't Matter]]" and his guest performance on [[Gwen Stefani]]'s "[[The Sweet Escape (song)|The Sweet Escape]]"; this made Akon the first solo artist to concurrently hold the top two positions on the chart twice.<ref>Bronson, Fred. "[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1053124/chart-beat Chart Beat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919112131/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1053124/chart-beat |date=September 19, 2014 }}", ''Billboard Magazine'', April 5, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chart-beat-159-1053124/ | title=Chart Beat | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=November 7, 2023 | archive-date=November 7, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107024224/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chart-beat-159-1053124/ | url-status=live }}</ref> His third album, ''[[Freedom (Akon album)|Freedom]]'' (2008), was supported by the top ten single, "[[Right Now (Na Na Na)]]", as well as the top 40 singles "[[I'm So Paid]]" (featuring [[Lil Wayne]] and [[Jeezy]]) and "[[Beautiful (Akon song)|Beautiful]]" (featuring [[Colby O'Donis]] and [[Kardinal Offishall]]). His fourth album, ''[[El Negreeto]]'' (2019), explored [[reggaeton]] and [[Latin music]], while his fifth album, ''[[Akonda]]'' (also 2019), explored [[Afrobeats]]; both of which failed to chart.
Along with his solo career, Akon has guest performed on 23 ''Billboard'' Hot 100 entries for other artists—such activity earned him two additional Grammy Award nominations. Akon founded the record labels [[Konvict Muzik]] in 2004 and [[KonLive Distribution]] in 2007, through which he has signed commercially successful acts including [[Lady Gaga]], [[T-Pain]], [[R. City]], [[Kardinal Offishall]], [[Jeffree Star]] and [[French Montana]], among others. In addition, he holds a [[Akon production discography|separate career in production and songwriting]] predominantly for artists on the labels, but also for other artists such as [[Michael Jackson]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Lionel Richie]], [[Leona Lewis]], [[Sean Paul]], [[Whitney Houston]], [[Mario (American singer)|Mario]], and [[Estelle (musician)|Estelle]], among others.
Akon has since been prolific in charitable and philanthropic endeavors. He launched the non-profit [[Akon Lighting Africa]] in 2014 and has begun development on [[Akon City, Senegal|his own city]] in Senegal, which is scheduled for completion in 2028. ''[[Forbes]]'' ranked Akon 80th (Power Rank) in the [[Forbes Celebrity 100|''Forbes'' Celebrity 100]] in 2010<ref name="forbes1">{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2012 |title=Akon |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/akon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417173650/http://www.forbes.com/profile/akon/ |archive-date=April 17, 2012 |access-date=April 30, 2012 |website=Forbes}}</ref> and 5th in the 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa list, in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 17, 2011 |title=Forbes releases "40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa" list | Channel O TV Online |url=http://channelo.dstv.com/2011/10/forbes-releases-40-most-powerful-celebrities-in-africa-list/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102232317/http://channelo.dstv.com/2011/10/forbes-releases-40-most-powerful-celebrities-in-africa-list/ |archive-date=January 2, 2013 |access-date=April 30, 2012 |publisher=Channelo.dstv.com}}</ref> ''Billboard'' ranked Akon number 6 on the list of Top Digital Songs Artists of the decade.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Billboard – Music Charts, Music News, Artist Photo Gallery & Free Video |url=http://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/digital-songs-artists?year=2009 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804233042/https://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/digital-songs-artists?year=2009 |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |access-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> He was listed by ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the number-one selling artist for master ringtones in the world, with 11 million sold by December 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/86827-best-selling-mastertones-act |title=Best-selling mastertones act | Guinness World Records |access-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107031153/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/86827-best-selling-mastertones-act |url-status=live }}</ref>
==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.<ref name="bio.com">{{Cite web |title=Akon – Music Producer, Songwriter, Singer |url=http://www.biography.com/people/akon-21330753 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821123250/http://www.biography.com/people/akon-21330753 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=Biography.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Muslim celebrities |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/famous-muslim-celebrities/28/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183523/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/famous-muslim-celebrities/28/ |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=January 10, 2019 |website=cbsnews.com |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2014 |title=12 Black Celebrities Whose Real Names Will Surprise You |url=https://atlantablackstar.com/2014/05/09/12-black-celebrities-whose-real-names-will-surprise/4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326212454/https://atlantablackstar.com/2014/05/09/12-black-celebrities-whose-real-names-will-surprise/4/ |archive-date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 26, 2019 |website=atlantablackstar.com}}</ref> His mother is dancer Kine Gueye Thiam (''née'' Gueye), and his father is percussionist [[Mor Thiam]].<ref name="Goldsmith">Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn; Fonseca, Anthony J.; [https://books.google.com/books?id=6mR2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA300 ''Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017082927/https://books.google.com/books?id=6mR2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA300 |date=October 17, 2023 }} [2 volumes], [[ABC-CLIO]] (2018), p. 300, {{ISBN|9780313357596}}. Retrieved March 14, 2020.</ref><ref name="Jeune Afrique">{{Cite news |last=Pajon |first=Léo |date=July 3, 2018 |title=Dix choses à savoir sur Akon, artiste multi-casquette |language=fr |trans-title=Ten things to know about Akon, multi-talented artist |work=[[Jeune Afrique]] |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/586428/culture/dix-choses-a-savoir-sur-akon-senegal-usa-chanteur/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302154013/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/mag/586428/culture/dix-choses-a-savoir-sur-akon-senegal-usa-chanteur/ |archive-date=March 2, 2020}}</ref> Mor Thiam was born to a [[Toucouleur people|Toucouleur]] family of Quranic scholars in [[Kaolack]], Senegal.<ref name="Goldsmith" /><ref name="Jeune Afrique" /> 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]].<ref name="VH1_interview">{{Cite web |last=Bottomley |first=C. |date=May 2, 2005 |title=Akon: Trouble No More |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1501105/05022005/akon.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020050755/http://www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1501105/05022005/akon.jhtml |archive-date=October 20, 2011 |website=[[VH1]].com}}</ref> At age seven, he and his family relocated to [[Union City, New Jersey]],<ref name="Billboard11.4.06">{{Cite magazine |date=November 4, 2006 |title=Deep Grooves |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pg8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=36 |via=[[Google Books]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116095236/https://books.google.com/books?id=Pg8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36 |archive-date=January 16, 2016 |access-date=November 3, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuperinksy, Amy |date=January 15, 2020 |title=Akon went from Union City to building his own city, Akon City, in Senegal |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2020/01/akon-went-from-union-city-to-building-his-own-city-akon-city-in-senegal.html |archive-url=https://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 |archive-date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=September 1, 2020 |website=[[NJ.com]]}}</ref> splitting his time between the United States and Senegal until settling in [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]].<ref name="VH1_interview" /> Growing up in New Jersey, Akon had difficulties getting along with other children.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} When he and his younger brother, [[Bu Thiam]], reached high school, his parents left them on their own in [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]] and moved the rest of the family to [[Atlanta]], Georgia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |date=October 4, 2004 |title=Akon, not 'Trouble,' is his middle name |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-10-04-otv-akon_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070511060455/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-10-04-otv-akon_x.htm |archive-date=May 11, 2007 |quote=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}}</ref> Akon attended [[William L. Dickinson High School]] in Jersey City.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lin |first=Jonathan |date=November 17, 2013 |title=Akon stops by his Jersey City home away from home |url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2013/11/akon_stops_by_jersey_city_bar_for_dinner_speaks_of_growing_up_in_the_area.html |archive-url=https://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 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=July 1, 2019 |website=[[The Jersey Journal]] |via=NJ.com |quote=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.}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=April 17, 2008 |title=Akon's Rap Sheet Is Revealed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/arts/17arts-AKONSRAPSHEE_BRF.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206050407/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/arts/17arts-AKONSRAPSHEE_BRF.html |archive-date=February 6, 2017 |access-date=February 21, 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 17, 2008 |title=Report: Akon Embellished Criminal History |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351580,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630223833/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351580,00.html |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=January 2, 2010 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref><ref>[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0416081akon1.html Akon's Con Job] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907033459/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0416081akon1.html|date=September 7, 2009}}, ''The Smoking Gun'', April 16, 2008.</ref> Akon responded to the report by saying that he never spent 3 consecutive years in prison, but had many shorter sentences that add up to three years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Chris |date=May 16, 2008 |title=Akon Responds To Smoking Gun Report That He Fabricated His Criminal Past: 'It Only Helps Me' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587614/20080516/akon.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320013719/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587614/20080516/akon.jhtml |archive-date=March 20, 2009 |access-date=January 2, 2010 |publisher=MTV News}}</ref>
==
===1996–2005: Discovery and ''Trouble''===
When still in high school, he became part of the Refugee Camp, the extended musical family of [[Fugees|the Fugees]]. In 1996, he recorded a single, "Operations of Nature", that earned him a deal with [[Elektra Records]]—but when the song failed to catch on in the United States, the record deal went by the wayside as well. "That was the turning point for my music, especially the music career. That's when I lost all hope, and I was like, 'It's not really for me.' That's when I became a misfit."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2007/05/04/akon-does-right-by-himself/28545756007/|title=Akon does right by himself|last=Sculley|first=Alan|date=May 4, 2007|website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune}}</ref>
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 (musician)|Usher]] and [[TLC (group)|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.<ref name="hitquarters.com">{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2005 |title=Interview With Knobody |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_JeromeFoster.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217105316/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_JeromeFoster.html |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=July 1, 2010 |publisher=[[HitQuarters]]}}</ref> The songs Akon recorded with Stephens were brought to the attention of [[Universal Motown Records Group|Universal]]'s imprint [[SRC Records]].<ref name="hitquarters.com" /> In an interview with [[HitQuarters]] SRC A&R [[Knobody|Jerome "Knobody" Foster]], he said, "What caught my attention right away was "Lonely", and I said, 'this kid is official – this is a huge record."<ref name="hitquarters.com" /> Foster and SRC CEO Steve Rifkind immediately boarded a private plane to Atlanta to meet the young artist.<ref name="hitquarters.com" /> 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.<ref name="hitquarters.com" />
Akon's solo debut album, ''[[Trouble (Akon album)|Trouble]]'', was released on June 29, 2004. It spawned the singles "[[Locked Up (song)|Locked Up]]", "[[Lonely (Akon song)|Lonely]]", "[[Belly Dancer (Bananza)]]", "[[Pot of Gold (Akon song)|Pot of Gold]]" and "[[Ghetto (Akon song)|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 [[remix]]ed by [[DJ Green Lantern]] to include verses from rappers [[Tupac Shakur|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".<ref name="allmusic" />
In 2005, he released the single "Lonely" (which samples [[Bobby Vinton]]'s "[[Mr. Lonely (Bobby Vinton song)|Mr. Lonely]]"). The song reached the top five on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''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 (British TV 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 (P-Money album)|Magic City]]'', and the other with New Zealand rapper [[Savage (rapper)|Savage]] with the single "[[Moonshine (Savage song)|Moonshine]]", which had become a success in both New Zealand and Australia, reaching number one on the New Zealand charts. A year later in 2005, he made his first critically acclaimed guest appearance on [[Jeezy|Young Jeezy]]'s debut album ''[[Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101]]'', with the song "[[Soul Survivor (Young Jeezy 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.<ref>Reid, Shaheem. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1534336/20060614/jeezy_young.jhtml Saga Of Young Jeezy, Akon Continues With Possible Duet LP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109025528/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1534336/20060614/jeezy_young.jhtml |date=January 9, 2010 }}, MTV News, June 15, 2006.</ref><ref>Petipas, Jolene. [http://sohh.com/articles/article.php/10420 Young Jeezy Teams With Akon For Collabo CD] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127184238/http://sohh.com/articles/article.php/10420 |date=January 27, 2007 }}, SOHH, December 7, 2006.</ref>
===
[[File:Akon.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Akon performing at the [[Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Charlotte)|Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|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|''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 [[Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration]] at the [[49th Annual Grammy Awards]], but lost to [[Justin Timberlake]] and [[T.I.]]'s "[[My Love (Justin Timberlake song)|My Love]]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Akon's "Smack That" receives Grammy nomination |url=http://www.republicrecords.com/akons-smack-that-receives-a-grammy-nomination/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309035847/http://www.republicrecords.com/akons-smack-that-receives-a-grammy-nomination/ |archive-date=March 9, 2014 |access-date=March 8, 2014 |publisher=Republic Records}}</ref>
"[[I Wanna Love You (Akon song)|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 (song)|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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Winning |first=Brolin |url=http://www.mp3.com/features/stories/6856.html |title=Akon – Got It Locked |website=MP3.com |date=October 23, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929230835/http://www.mp3.com/features/stories/6856.html |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref>
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 (TV series)|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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Telesford |first=Nigel |url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161129187 |title=Akon 'cons' Trinidad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514214327/http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161129187 |archive-date=May 14, 2007 |work=Trinidad Express |date=April 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ramnarine |first=Kristy |url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161131759 |title=Zen owner: for club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701110512/http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161131759 |archive-date=July 1, 2007 |work=Trinidad Express |date=April 20, 2007}}</ref> 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, [[Verizon Wireless]] removed ringtones featuring Akon's songs and Verizon decided not to sponsor [[The Sweet Escape Tour]] where Akon was to be the opening act for [[Gwen Stefani]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Leeds |first=Jeff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/arts/music/10akon.html |title=Verizon Drops Pop Singer From Ads |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202024825/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/arts/music/10akon.html|archive-date=February 2, 2017 |work=New York Times |date=May 10, 2007}}</ref> Right wing political commentators [[Michelle Malkin]], [[Laura Ingraham]], and [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]] criticized Akon for "degrading women".<ref>{{cite news |last=Malkin |first=Michelle |url=http://michellemalkin.com/2007/05/03/look-whos-promoting-a-vulgar-misogynist/ |title=Look who's promoting a vulgar misogynist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119211500/http://michellemalkin.com/2007/05/03/look-whos-promoting-a-vulgar-misogynist/ |archive-date=November 19, 2009 |website=MichelleMalkin.com |date=May 3, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/11592 |title=Pulse Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911145152/http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/11592 |archive-date=September 11, 2007 |work=SOHH |date=May 11, 2007}}</ref>
[[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 (song)|The Sweet Escape]]" which has reached No. 2 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. Akon performed at the [[Live Earth concert, New York City|American leg]] of [[Live Earth]]. He later recorded a remix of "[[Wanna Be Startin' Somethin']]" by [[Michael Jackson]] for the [[Thriller 25|25th-anniversary rerelease]] of Jackson's ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]''. He also worked with bachata group [[Aventura (band)|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.
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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070829/ENT04/70829010 |title=Police: Akon investigation continues |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116095236/http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070829%2FENT04%2F70829010|archive-date=January 16, 2016 |work=Poughkeepsie Journal |date=August 29, 2007}}</ref> Akon has said that the incident was staged and that he in fact used the act to set up for the next record.<ref name="Sawjani">Sawjani, Archna. [http://allhiphop.com/blogs/alternatives/archive/2007/08/06/18367247.aspx Akon: Real Talk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720111502/http://allhiphop.com/blogs/alternatives/archive/2007/08/06/18367247.aspx|date=July 20, 2008}}, AllHipHop.com, August 6, 2007.</ref>{{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.<ref>{{cite news |work=Reuters |title=Singer Akon pleads not guilty after tossing fan |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/singer-akon-pleads-not-guilty-after-tossing-fan-idUSN03436756/ |date=December 4, 2007}}</ref> In 2008, Akon pleaded guilty to harassment. He served no jail time, provided he performed "65 hours of community service and paid a $250 fine."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-12-18 |title=Hip Hop's Akon Admits He Threw Fan Off Stage |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/local/natl-hip-hops-akon-admits-he-threw-fan-off-stage/1847728/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=NBC4 Washington |language=en-US}}</ref>
===2008–2009: ''Freedom''===
Akon released his third album ''[[Freedom (Akon 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 (Akon song)|Beautiful]]" (featuring [[Colby O'Donis]] and [[Kardinal Offishall]]) and "[[We Don't Care (Akon song)|We Don't Care]]". ''Freedom'' was certified platinum in the US. Rap singer Nelly suggested that Akon, [[Pharrell Williams|Pharrell]], and [[T-Pain]] had talked about forming a rap supergroup in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Melissa |date=October 23, 2008 |title=Pharrell, T-Pain, Nelly, Akon Unite for Supergroup |url=https://www.spin.com/2008/10/pharrell-t-pain-nelly-akon-unite-supergroup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405153013/https://www.spin.com/2008/10/pharrell-t-pain-nelly-akon-unite-supergroup/ |archive-date=April 5, 2018 |access-date=April 5, 2018 |website=Spin}}</ref> Akon and [[Konvict Muzik]] produced hip-hop/rock group [[Flipsyde]]'s 2009 release, ''State of Survival'', released via [[KonLive Distribution]] and [[Cherrytree Records]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flipsyde's Official MySpace |url=https://www.myspace.com/flipsyde |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107174700/https://myspace.com/flipsyde |archive-date=January 7, 2014 |access-date=February 23, 2014}}</ref> He was also the executive producer of Kardinal Offishall's fourth solo album ''[[Not 4 Sale (Kardinal Offishall album)|Not 4 Sale]]''. The first single "[[Dangerous (Kardinal Offishall song)|Dangerous]]", which featured Akon peaked at No. 5 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. He co-wrote [[KonLive Distribution|Kon Live]] artist [[Lady Gaga]]'s hit "[[Just Dance (song)|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2008 |title=Akon interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' December 2008 |url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/364/out_of_akon_do_big_interviews_grow/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229120713/http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/364/out_of_akon_do_big_interviews_grow/ |archive-date=February 29, 2012 |access-date=July 24, 2011 |publisher=Bluesandsoul.com}}</ref> In July 2008, a song called "[[Hold My Hand (Michael Jackson and Akon song)|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 (Michael Jackson 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 (album)|The Block]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2008 |title=New Kids On The Block |url=http://nkotb.com/blog/2008/08/donnie-talks-music |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524215941/http://nkotb.com/blog/2008/08/donnie-talks-music/ |archive-date=May 24, 2009 |access-date=January 2, 2010 |publisher=Nkotb.com}}</ref> He also co-wrote and produced [[Leona Lewis]]' single "[[Forgive Me (Leona Lewis song)|Forgive Me]]" and worked with [[The X Factor (UK)|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".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vena |first=Jocelyn |date=July 28, 2008 |title=Whitney & AKon Collab |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591675/20080728/houston_whitney.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722031256/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591675/20080728/houston_whitney.jhtml |archive-date=July 22, 2009 |access-date=July 24, 2011 |publisher=MTV}}</ref> Akon collaborated with [[Pitbull (rapper)|Pitbull]] on the single "[[Shut It Down (song)|Shut It Down]]" from the album "[[Rebelution (Pitbull album)|Rebelution]]" and worked with [[Matisyahu]] to remix his single "[[One Day (Matisyahu song)|One Day]]" on his album [[Light (Matisyahu album)|Light]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashley Iasimone |date=January 15, 2010 |title=Matisyahu, 'One Day' (Remix) Feat. Akon – New Song |url=http://www.spinner.com/2010/01/15/matisyahu-one-day-remix-feat-akon-new-song/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403002206/http://www.spinner.com/2010/01/15/matisyahu-one-day-remix-feat-akon-new-song/ |archive-date=April 3, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2010 |website=Spinner}}</ref> He also co-produced singer [[Natalia Kills]]' debut single, "[[Mirrors (Natalia Kills song)|Mirrors]]", from her debut album, ''[[Perfectionist (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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2009 |title=Is There Something I Can Do? |url=http://www.dosomething.org/istheresomethingicando |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203032317/http://www.dosomething.org/istheresomethingicando |archive-date=February 3, 2011 |access-date=February 3, 2011}}</ref>
[[David Guetta]] collaborated with Akon in "[[Sexy Bitch]]", the first [[house music|house]] track by Akon. The song reached number 1 in more than six countries and charted at 5 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''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.
===2010–2018: Unreleased ''Stadium'' album and hiatus===
A single, "[[Angel (Akon song)|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! |url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221171432/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |archive-date=February 21, 2010 |access-date=September 3, 2016}}</ref> Akon performed the song during the 2010 [[Victoria's Secret Fashion Show]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 22, 2010 |title=Fashion Show Scoop: Akon |url=http://vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/2010/10/22/fashion-show-scoop-akon/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203061946/http://vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/2010/10/22/fashion-show-scoop-akon |archive-date=December 3, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2011 |publisher=victoriassecret.com}}</ref> Akon travelled to Jamaica to work with [[Damian Marley|Damian]], [[Julian Marley|Julian]] and [[Stephen Marley (musician)|Stephen Marley]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2012 |title=Akon in Jamaica hanging with the Marley brothers - Damien Marley |url=http://www.zimbio.com/Damien+Marley/articles/XlsNm3VHume/Akon+Jamaica+hanging+Marley+brothers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210041556/http://www.zimbio.com/Damien+Marley/articles/XlsNm3VHume/Akon+Jamaica+hanging+Marley+brothers |archive-date=February 10, 2013 |access-date=April 30, 2012 |publisher=Zimbio}}</ref> Around the same time, Akon collaborated with [[Dr. Dre]] and [[Snoop Dogg]] on "[[Kush (song)|Kush]]", charting on number 36 on the ''Billboard'' charts. The single was first intended to from Dr. Dre's forthcoming album ''[[Detox (Dr. Dre 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 (chart)|Rhythmic ''Billboard'' charts]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Rhythmic Songs |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40/2013-03-23 |url-status=live |access-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925143658/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40/2013-03-23 |archive-date=September 25, 2018}}</ref>
In 2010, Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka vehemently protested a planned concert by Akon, saying his music video with Guetta for "[[Sexy Bitch|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 (document)|visa]] to enter [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>[http://adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=7584 No Visa to Akon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727170146/http://adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=7584|date=July 27, 2011}}, Ada Derana News</ref>
Later that year, on November 11, 2013, Akon released a standalone single titled "[[So Blue (Akon song)|So Blue]]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2013 |title=iTunes - Music - So Blue - Single by Akon |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/so-blue-single/1445291876 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102092416/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/so-blue-single/id736330884 |archive-date=November 2, 2014 |access-date=October 6, 2014 |publisher=iTunes}}</ref>
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).<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2015 |title=Akon Announces New Quintuple Album 'Stadium'; Releases Five Songs - Fashionably-Early |url=http://www.fashionably-early.com/2015/01/01/akon-announces-new-quintuple-album-stadium-releases-five-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102021025/http://www.fashionably-early.com/2015/01/01/akon-announces-new-quintuple-album-stadium-releases-five-songs/ |archive-date=January 2, 2015 |access-date=January 2, 2015 |website=Fashionably-Early}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2015 |title=STADIUM |url=http://www.akon.com/stadium |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071824/http://www.akon.com/stadium |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name="stadium news nov 15">{{Cite web |title=R&B star Akon to debut new albums on his own 'Stadium' app — Akon.com – Official Website |url=http://www.akon.com/archives/3308 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224180608/http://www.akon.com/archives/3308 |archive-date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=November 9, 2015}}</ref> The album was indefinitely postponed, and might get released in the near future.<ref>{{Cite web |title=[INTERVIEW] Back for an Encore, Akon Details His Musical Renaissance |url=https://www.parlemag.com/2019/11/akon-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115220135/https://www.parlemag.com/2019/11/akon-interview/ |archive-date=November 15, 2019 |access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref>
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]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 11, 2015 |title=Akon Signs With Atlantic Records; Drops New Single 'Want Some' – Fashionably Early |language=en-US |work=Fashionably Early |url=https://www.fashionably-early.com/2015/12/10/akon-signs-with-atlantic-records-drops-new-single-want-some/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104231/https://www.fashionably-early.com/2015/12/10/akon-signs-with-atlantic-records-drops-new-single-want-some/ |archive-date=September 25, 2018}}</ref> In April 2016, Akon appeared in the Chinese reality TV show ''[[I Am a Singer (Chinese TV series)|I Am a Singer]]'' along with the Taiwanese singer [[Jeff Chang (singer)|Jeff Chang]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=我是歌手4张信哲帮帮唱嘉宾AKon阿肯个人资料 |date=April 8, 2016 |url=http://gz.bendibao.com/xiuxian/201645/213918.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410102215/http://gz.bendibao.com/xiuxian/201645/213918.shtml |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |access-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> Later that year, he was featured on the remix of [[Joey Montana]]'s single "[[Picky (song)|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''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Konvict Kartel Vol. 2 Mixtape by Akon |url=https://datpiff.com/mixtape/875685 |access-date=November 28, 2018 |website=DatPiff }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2018, he collaborated with reggaeton singer [[Ozuna (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.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Roiz |first=Jessica |date=27 September 2018 |title=Akon Opens Up About His Comeback, Ozuna Collab and Special Connection With Latin Urban Music |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8477180/akon-talks-comeback-ozuna-collab-latin-urban-exclusive |url-status=live |access-date=13 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607095028/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8477180/akon-talks-comeback-ozuna-collab-latin-urban-exclusive |archive-date=June 7, 2020}}</ref>
===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 Ricans|Puerto Rican]] rapper [[Anuel AA]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Premiere: Akon a.k.a. El Negreeto and Anuel AA Flex in "Get Money" Video |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/05/akon-anuel-aa-get-money-video |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716174419/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/05/akon-anuel-aa-get-money-video |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |access-date=July 16, 2019 |website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2019 |title=GET MONEY - Single by Akon & Anuel AA |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-money-single/1466087753 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716171037/https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-money-single/1466087753 |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alston |first=Trey |title=Akon Breaks Down His Journey Into Reggaeton With Becky G And New Album El Negreeto |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3137935/akon-como-no-becky-g-interview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909025750/http://www.mtv.com/news/3137935/akon-como-no-becky-g-interview/ |archive-date=September 9, 2019 |access-date=2019-09-11 |website=MTV News |language=en}}</ref> He released the album ''[[Akonda]]'' on October 25, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magett |first=Sonya |date=October 24, 2019 |title=East Coast, West Coast, Worldwide: Akon's Business Ventures Are Legend, but His New Music Enterprise Is One of His Most Boundary Breaking Yet |url=https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/east-coast-west-coast-worldwide-akon-s-business-vent-1839322620 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025025139/https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/east-coast-west-coast-worldwide-akon-s-business-vent-1839322620 |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=2019-10-25 |website=The Grapevine}}</ref> ''Konnect'' was announced as his sixth album, scheduled for December of the same year, but was never released.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diallo, Aziz Malick |date=November 27, 2019 |title=Akon assure qu'un collaboration est à venir avec Booba et... Gims |trans-title=Akon says a collaboration is coming up with Booba and... Gims |url=https://www.afrik.com/actu-rap-akon-assure-qu-une-collaboration-est-a-venir-avec-booba-et-gims |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128123029/https://www.afrik.com/actu-rap-akon-assure-qu-une-collaboration-est-a-venir-avec-booba-et-gims |archive-date=November 28, 2019 |access-date=November 28, 2019 |website=Afrik |language=fr}}</ref>
A remix of ''Locked up'' (originally by Akon) by [[Steve Aoki]], Trinix, Akon was released in August 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-10 |title="Nous étions persuadés que ça arriverait": les DJ de Trinix, ou le succès patient |url=https://fr.news.yahoo.com/%C3%A9tions-persuad%C3%A9s-%C3%A7a-arriverait-dj-060000038.html |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=Yahoo News |language=fr-FR}}</ref> In 2025, Akon joined Canadian [[country music]] artist [[Josh Ross]] on the song "[[Drunk Right Now (Na Na Na)]]", a reimagined take on Akon's song "[[Right Now (Na Na Na)]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newcountry1031.com/josh-ross-is-drunk-right-now-with-akon/|title=Josh Ross is 'Drunk Right Now' with Akon|date=May 28, 2025|work=New Country 103.1 WIRK|access-date=June 30, 2025}}</ref>
==Philanthropy==
{{Main|Akon Lighting Africa}}
Akon also started a project [[Akon Lighting Africa]] in 2014 which provides electricity in 15 countries of [[Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2015 |title=Akon unveils new solar campaign for Africa |url=http://www.insightnews.com/news/13643-akon-unveils-new-solar-campaign-for-africa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705062734/http://www.insightnews.com/news/13643-akon-unveils-new-solar-campaign-for-africa |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |website=InsightNews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Akon lights Africa for better future |work=enca |url=http://www.enca.com/world/akon-lights-africa-better-future |url-status=live |access-date=July 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825144902/http://www.enca.com/world/akon-lights-africa-better-future |archive-date=August 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2015 |title=Musician Akon works to light up Africa |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/06/08/segment-walker-vause-akon-electricity-africa.cnn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206160643/http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/06/08/segment-walker-vause-akon-electricity-africa.cnn |archive-date=February 6, 2018 |access-date=July 3, 2015 |website=CNN}}</ref>
He also launched his own charity for underprivileged children in Africa called Konfidence Foundation.
Akon was included as a guest appearance in [[Pitbull (rapper)|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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitbull - I Believe That We Will Win | date=May 7, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxMaHi91RkE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/ZxMaHi91RkE |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=May 8, 2020 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
==Akon City==
{{Main|Akon City, Senegal}}
In 2018, Akon announced he was working with the Senegalese government to build a [[tourism|tourist]] city with a [[cryptocurrency]]-based economy named Akon City, using Akon's own cryptocurrency, Akoin, at the transactional center.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mary Meisenzahl |date=15 January 2020 |title=Singer Akon has finalized plans to build a 2,000-acre city in Senegal that's powered by his cryptocurrency, Akoin |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/akon-cryptocurrency-akoin-city-senegal-2020-1?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725020925/https://www.businessinsider.com/akon-cryptocurrency-akoin-city-senegal-2020-1?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=18 January 2020 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>
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."<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 January 2020 |title=Just finalized the agreement for AKON CITY in Senegal. Looking forward to hosting you there in the future |url=https://twitter.com/Akon/status/1216803497057931264 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118071654/https://twitter.com/Akon/status/1216803497057931264 |archive-date=January 18, 2020 |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Cision_1">{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2020 |title=KE International awarded US $6 Billion construction contract for Akon City, Senegal |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/ke-international-awarded-us-6-billion-construction-contract-for-akon-city-senegal-817309441.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617155241/https://www.prweb.com/releases/ke_international_awarded_us_6_billion_construction_contract_for_akon_city_senegal/prweb17165260.htm |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=2020-06-19 |publisher=[[Cision|Cision PRWEB]]}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Cision_1" />
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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Okogba |first=Emmanuel |date=2 September 2020 |title=Senegal: Singer Akon Plans $6bn City in Senegal Homeland |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202009020069.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923004217/https://allafrica.com/stories/202009020069.html |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=allAfrica.com |publisher=Vanguard |language=en}}</ref> "The stone itself sits at the bottom of a dirt track in a field; a small placard advertising the megaproject has fallen off it."<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Singer Akon's Senegalese 'Wakanda' city unstarted, locals left in dark |url=https://www.africanews.com/2021/09/03/singer-akon-s-senegalese-wakanda-city-unstarted-locals-left-in-dark/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929171044/https://www.africanews.com/2021/09/03/singer-akon-s-senegalese-wakanda-city-unstarted-locals-left-in-dark/ |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |website=AfricanNews.com}}</ref>
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.
<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2022 |title="Akon City" project: the singer accused of fraud and brought to justice |url=https://worldh24.com/blog/en/akon-city-project-the-singer-accused-of-fraud-and-brought-to-justice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929171045/https://worldh24.com/blog/en/akon-city-project-the-singer-accused-of-fraud-and-brought-to-justice |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |website=Worldh24.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Akon Accused of Running 'Ponzi Schemes' |url=https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/akon-accused-of-running-ponzi-schemes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929171045/https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/akon-accused-of-running-ponzi-schemes/ |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |website=popculture.com}}</ref>
In August 2024, the government of Senegal, through Sapco-Senegal, Senegal's state-owned tourist and coastal development company, issued an ultimatum to Akon: start work or lose 90% of the land allocated for the project.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Akon's $6 Billion Futuristic African City Project Gets Final Deadline|url=https://africanfolder.com/akons-6-billion-futuristic-african-city/|website=africanfolder.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Singer Akon's $6 Billion futuristic African City project gets final warning deadline|url=https://nairametrics.com/2024/08/03/singer-akons-6-billion-futuristic-african-city-project-gets-final-warning-deadline/|website=nairametric.com}}</ref>
==Television and film==
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]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2010 |title=Hip-hop meets Bollywood |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hip-hop-meets-bollywood-22719 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102161213/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hip-hop-meets-bollywood-22719 |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |access-date=May 1, 2010 |website=Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
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]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jack E Kent |date=January 15, 2015 |title=American Heist (2014) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2923316/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909043731/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2923316/ |archive-date=September 9, 2014 |access-date=October 6, 2014 |website=IMDb}}</ref> directed by [[Sarik Andreasyan]].
==Personal life==
Akon is said to be a [[Polygamy|polygamist]]. In 2007, Akon said in an interview with ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' that he had five children (four sons and one daughter) with three different women, and that he was married to one of them.<ref name="Blender">{{Cite web|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=2811 |title=Who Does Akon Think He Is?|work=Blender|date=September 19, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930180407/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?ID=2811 |archivedate=September 30, 2007}}</ref> As of December 2022, he has nine children.<ref name="9 children" /> In 2023, a woman publicly stated that she was one of four women married to Akon, and that the four wives were located in Atlanta, L.A., and Africa.<ref name="n427">{{cite web |last=Waruinge |first=Maureen |date=2023-04-09 |title=Akon's wife finally discloses how many wives he has |url=https://www.mpasho.co.ke/entertainment/2023-04-09-akons-wife-finally-discloses-how-many-wives-he-has |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Mpasho}}</ref><ref name="x474">{{cite web | author=Rie Wit the tea | title=Make Your Day | website=TikTok | url=https://www.tiktok.com/@riewitthetea/video/7218948252786232618 | access-date=2025-07-12}}</ref>
Akon is a [[Muslims|Muslim]] and a [[teetotalism|teetotaler]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Yuan|first=Jada|title=Akon Confesses: 'I Drink Shirley Temples All the Time'|website=Grub Street|publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]]|date=9 June 2009|url=https://www.grubstreet.com/2009/06/akon_confesses_i_drink_shirley.html|access-date=8 March 2024|archive-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730215950/http://www.grubstreet.com/2009/06/akon_confesses_i_drink_shirley.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Akon owned a diamond mine in South Africa and denied the existence of [[blood diamond]]s (also known as "conflict diamonds") in a 2007 interview, 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."<ref name="Cooper">Egere-Cooper, Matilda. [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/akon-so-what-if-i-own-a-diamond-mine-5332169.html Akon: So what if I own a diamond mine?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817194119/http://www.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."</ref> However, he later stated that he does accept that blood diamonds exist and that he was a partial-owner of an African mine that is dedicated to avoiding the use of blood diamonds and donating profits to local communities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Akon Interview with Howard Stern part 4 of 4 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpd0N4YGfJQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202144110/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpd0N4YGfJQ |archive-date=December 2, 2015 |access-date=October 11, 2015 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> In 2020, he revealed he bowed out due to the underlying ramifications of the business. He claimed "it's worse than the drug business".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vladtv.com/article/265025/akon-owned-an-african-diamond-mine-its-worse-than-the-drug-business | title=EXCLUSIVE: Akon Owned an African Diamond Mine: It's Worse than the Drug Business }}</ref>
Akon stated during an appearance on the [[ITV2]] show ''[[The Hot Desk]]'' that he is a fan of the English [[Premier League]] club [[Chelsea F.C.]]{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
==Awards and nominations==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Akon}}
==Discography==
{{Main|Akon discography|Akon production 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 only. Place other releases in the discography article.-->
'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Trouble (Akon album)|Trouble]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Konvicted]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Freedom (Akon album)|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).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19981206063030/http://www.allafrica.com/ Akon comes to region]. ''All Africa Newswire'', May 23, 2006.</ref>
* 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 (entertainer)|Usher]] (North America Second Leg, April – June 2011)
==See also==
* {{Portal inline|size=tiny|Music}}
* [[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==
{{sister project links|d=Q32849|c=Category:Akon|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}<!-- Per [[WP:ELMINOFFICIAL]], choose one official website only -->
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb name|1868102}}
* {{AllMusic|id=p535592|label=Akon}}
{{Akon}}
{{Konvict Muzik}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist}}
{{Billboard Year-End Top Artists}}
{{Authority control}}
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